Category Archives: Red Wines

HILLIER CREEK ESTATES PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Thursday Jul 2016

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Hillier

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillier Creek Estates
Alcohol: 10.6% Alcohol/Vol.

10.6% alcohol for a Pinot?! Thank you HCE for substantially giving us lower than average alcohol level and yet produce a nice juicy, full flavoured wine at a good price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, cranberry, peat moss, barnyard notes and violets on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Prince Edward County produces some of Canada’s best Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Burgers with Sumac Marinated Onions. 

Tasted: 19 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 424382

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Rioja Bordon

Cost: $23.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazudo, 2% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Franco Españolas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 428060

SMOKING LOON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, California, United States

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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smoking loon

Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until 15 June 2016: $11.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: California
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Sebastiani
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This simple wine will please those that like a sweeter style red, but with added substance

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features maple, blackberry, ripe raspberry, kirsch, plum, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light tannin, fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A little pricey at the regular price

Interesting Note: I like the new label.

Drink now on its own or pair it with maple flavoured potato chips.

Tasted: 13 June 2016

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: 55517

CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2011, Ac Castillon, Bordeaux, France

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Chateau

Cost: $17.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Demoiselles
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Big on substance, low on price: Can’t ask for more

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blueberry, cherry, red & black currants, plum, coffee, thyme, peppercorn, cassis, anise, turmeric, tomato leaf, leather and railway ties on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Serve between 16-18 Celsius

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Gourmet Burgers made with Grass fed Prime Beef, Camembert, truffle Mayo, onion jam and tomatoes.

Tasted: 6 May 2016

Best buy & Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 348755

PENTHOUSE PINOT NOIR 2013, Adelaide Hills, Australia

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Penthouse_Pinot_Noir_2013_web

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penthouse Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice mix of new and old world style Pinot at a great price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, strawberry, plum, truffles, mushrooms, pipe tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Brisket and Mushroom stew served with Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits. 

Tasted: 22 July 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 432864

THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2012, Franschhoek, South Africa

11 Monday Jul 2016

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Chocolate

Cost: $39.95 (Clearance sale price: $.28.05)
Grape: 70% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, %10% Grenache, %6 Cinsault, 1% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boekenhoutskloop
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This simple wine will please those that like a sweeter style red, but with added substance

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, ripe raspberry, kirsch, plum, cinnamon, cloves, dark chocolate, coffee, fennel & liquorice. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years, on its own or pair it with Turkish Coffee Rubbed Brisket.

Tasted: 18 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 129353

DOMINIO BASCONCILLOS ROBLE 2013, DO Ribera Del Duero, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

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Boscancillos

Cost: $16.75
Grape: Tempranillo blend
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dominio Basconcillos
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

If the taste were as good as the nose, this would be awesome

Description: Dark to opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, raspberry, mulberry, dark cherry, Spy apples, white pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and fresh cut roses on the nose. Medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Needs at least 30 min to decant to bring out the fruit.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Chilli Coconut Braised Beef. 

Tasted: 6 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 67371

COYOTE’S RUN RED PAY VINEYARD 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

01 Sunday May 2016

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Coyote's Run

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A funky style Pinot that will only please a certain palate

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, cherry, barnyard, figs and mushrooms. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glassware

Drink now on its own or pair it with Duck Breasts with Port, Fig and Shallot Sauce.

Tasted: 27 April 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 79228

GRANDE RESERVE NAOUSSA BOUTARI 2008, PDO Naoussa, Greece

01 Sunday May 2016

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Naoussa

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price: $15.20)
Grape: Xinomaro
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boutari
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 140111

RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

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Rodney Strong

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 24 April 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a nice drinking, full flavoured & balanced RRS Pinot at a reasonable price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cranberry, crabapples, cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves and forest greens. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey Cranberry and Grilled Brie Panini.

Tasted: 21 April 2016

Best buy

Score: /10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 954834