Category Archives: Red Wines

LUIGI BOSCA GALA 2, 2011, Mendoza, Argentina

21 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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luigi-bosca

Cost: $27.99 CI
Grape: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Luigi Bosca
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious!

Description: Medium to dark ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, ripe plums, raspberry, dates, blueberry, cloves, cassis, black olives, pepper, espresso, cocoa, mint, leather, pencil shavings and smoked tobacco on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of my highest rated wines and I got it on sale for $15!!!

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Stuffed Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce.

Tasted: 26 January 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

KANONKOP KADETTE CAPE BLEND 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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k

Cost: $18.99 CI (Sale price Feb 2017: $13.99 CI)
Grape: 44% Pinotage, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kanonkop
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, smoky & easy drinking

Description: Bright dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, cherry, plum, mocha, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, caramel, coke, spinach and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body, light tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Kanonkop means “Cannon Hill” and is derived from the days when cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Danish trade ships into Cape Town harbour.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Cherry-Smoked Duck.

Tasted: 12 February 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10), Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

THE VELVET DEVIL MERLOT 2015, Mattawa, Washington State, United States

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale Price until March 26, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Mattawa, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Smith Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Teeters on the sweeter side, yet still pleasant

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose and some cloudiness. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, Christmas cake, nutmeg and pumpkin spice on the nice. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Parmesan Veal Burgers.

Tasted: 6 March 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8+/10 (Sale Price: 8.5/10), Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 394742

CHARLES and CHARLES CABERNET and SYRAH 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale Price until March 26, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Smith Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but nicely done

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, cassis and anise. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Pork Loin in Fresh Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 6 March 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 363838

RED HILL ESTATE COOL CLIMATE PINOT NOIR 2014, Victoria, Australia

06 Monday Feb 2017

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red-hill

Cost: $23.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Victoria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Red Hill Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking, old-world style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, pomegranate, maraschino cherry, cranberry, Shitake mushroom and peat moss on the nose. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some acetone on the finish

Interesting Note: Chill to 15 C and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with roasted red pepper beef stew.

Tasted: 25 January 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 58073

LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS VIEILLES VIGNES SIGNARGUES 2013, Ac Côtes du Rhône, France

03 Friday Feb 2017

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signargues

Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: 40% Grenache, %40 Syrah, 20% Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Vignerons du Castelas
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking with lots of dark fruit & acidity to balance it all out

Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, Kirsch cherry, cracked pepper and arugula. Medium+ body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in oak barrels for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Shepherd’s Pie with Chorizo.

Tasted: 23 January 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 34116

RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2014, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

02 Thursday Feb 2017

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rodney-strong-pinot

Cost: $25.95 (Sale price: $22.95 until 1 Jan 2017)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, new world style Pinot

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, beets, sweet cranberries, mushrooms and smoked peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Beet Risotto with Pecorino.

Tasted: 17 December 2016

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 954834

BELLE GLOS LAS ALTURAS VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2014, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California, United States

02 Thursday Feb 2017

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cq5dam-web-1280-1280

Cost: $59.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wagner Family of Wines
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Not for the faint of heart Pinot lovers as this wine leans towards Port

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, blueberry pie, bramble fruit, dark cherry, plum, figs, cinnamon and cloves on the nose. Full body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.8% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Rack of Lamb.

Tasted: 25 December 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 212076

MYSTERIOUS DIGGINS PINOT NOIR 2012, Central Otago, New Zealand

30 Monday Jan 2017

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1195216x

Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra Sancta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose shows sweetness, yet the taste is balanced

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, cloves, blueberry, smoke amber & violets on the taste and the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Garlic and Sage.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

ENROUTE LES POMMIERS PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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btl-pn-lespommiers

Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Enroute Winery
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.

This is why I love RRV Pinot’s

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, Bing cherry, boysenberry, plum, ripe tamarinds, cinnamon, cloves and smoked leaves & violets the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

My thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens.

Tasted: 3 January 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+