Category Archives: Red Wines

TOLAINI PICCONERO TENUTA MONTOBELLO 2009, IGT Tuscany, Italy

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

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

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tolaini-picconero-tenuta-montebello-toscana-igt-tuscany-italy-10556535

Cost: $110 US
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tolaini
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This Merlot dominant wine is impressive now but should be delivering the wow factor in 3 to 5 yrs

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, tobacco leaf, leather, sage, oregano, fennel, white & black pepper, boysenberry and spinach. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Decant for an hour or double decant if you don’t have the time.

Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef (marinated in Barolo wine and spices).

Tasted: 14 March 2016

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

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

10 Thursday Mar 2016

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Don Melchor 2008

Cost: $70.00
Grape: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Online
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concha Y Toro
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.

Tasted: 10 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19/20

Top Pick

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

LCBO Online: 403980

CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD BLOCK 21 PINOT NOIR 2013, DO San Antonio Valley, Chile

05 Saturday Mar 2016

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Cono Sur Pinot

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: San Antonio Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a pleasant surprise!  Easy drinking yet full of flavour

Description: Ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, rhubarb, cranberry, dark cherry, raspberry pie, strawberry, cured meat and violets with smoked amber on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Good balance of sweetness without the typical cloying jammy notes. Nice label. Remember to lightly chill and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

Tasted: 5 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 419010

STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

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Strewn

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the nose & although a tad astringent the taste is still quite good

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black & red currants, plum, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, bell pepper, dry herbs, tobacco leaves, leather and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decanting for min 30 minutes is recommended to smooth out the astringency.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Red Wine Braised Oxtail.

Tasted: 20 February 2016

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

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

LCBO: 426502

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, International & Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

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Magnotta Cab

Cost: $29.20 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: International & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Black currants dominate this wine a little too much

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, lots of blackcurrant, plums, mulberry, cassis and nutmeg. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a fairly long length.

Negatives: One dimensional

Interesting Note: Over priced, even at the sales price

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Blue Cheese Burgers.

Tasted: 13 February 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Sale price: 8+/10) Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

PICO and VINE PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, California, United States

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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Pico & Vine

Cost: $26.95
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 Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, juicy, not overpowering, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, plum, pumpkin spice, damp moss and light wood smoke. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity, a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and lightly chill.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Smoked Venison Roast.

Tasted: 12 February 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 438549

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES PINOTAGE 2011, SOUTH AFRICA

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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

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Pinotage

Cost: $9.70(Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $8.10)
Grape: Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine, reminds me of on open fire on the beach

Description: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features heavy smoked notes, blackberry, blackcurrant, dark cherry, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorn, white & red peppers, coffee, cigar box and tobacco leaves. Medium+ body with low tannins tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use same glass ware as Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Smoked Chorizo Sausage Casserole.

Tasted: 10 February 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

04 Thursday Feb 2016

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Rodney Stong

Cost: $27.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $23.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose is like a $150 Napa Cab, the taste is more like $50 Napa Cab, but the price is only $27.95 Sonoma

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, black olives, cinnamon, cloves, figs, smoked cherry pipe tobacco, chocolate covered raisins, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pistachio and Coriander Crusted Rack of Lamb with lamb jus and port wine emulsion.

Tasted: 2 February 2016

Top Pick & Best Buy at sale price

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

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

LCBO: 350454

ERNIE ELS BIG EASY 2013, W.O Western Cape, South Africa

30 Saturday Jan 2016

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Big Easy

Cost: $19.95
Grape: 61% Shiraz, 20% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Grenache, 4% Mouvèdre, 4% Viognier, 4% Cinsault
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ernie Els Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big Easy is a big entry wine for Ernie Els wines

Description: Medium ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features mild oak, sour cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cranberry, eucalyptus, white pepper, smoky bacon and Thai basil. Full body with dusty tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Paprika Roasted Leg of Lamb.

Tasted: 27 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 220038

GRAN FEUDO RESERVA 2009, DO Navarra, Spain

30 Saturday Jan 2016

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Gran Feudo

Cost: $16.95 (Sale until 31 Jan 2016: $14.95)
Grape: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Gran Feudo of Chivite
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely aged reserva at a good price

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, cherry, blackberry, thyme, pumpkin spice, espresso, tobacco leaves and leather. Medium body with dusty tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Slightly watery

Interesting Note: Like the fact that it’s only 13% alcohol. This wine presents better in the Tempranillo style glassware vs the larger Cab glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Chorizo Paella.

Tasted: 28 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 479014