Category Archives: Red Wines

SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAND RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Maipo Valley, Chile

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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Santa Rita

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Miapo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Rita
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Cab for a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrant, dark cherry, blackberry, tamarind, mint, tobacco, cassis, star anise, turmeric, cocoa and leather. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Braised Jerk Oxtail, served on Butterbean Puree with Tomato Pepper Jam.

Tasted: 22 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 275594

SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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Santa Carolina

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Carolina
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting & smooth

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with an intense nose. Primary features are cedar, blackcurrant & eucalyptus followed by blackberry, cassis, granite, cocoa, turmeric, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Dry Aged Rib Eye with Red Wine Demi Glaze.

Tasted: 19 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 408658

MÉNAGE À TROIS 2014, California, United States

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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Menage

Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Jan 27, 2016: $12.95)
Grape: Zinfandel, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie À Deux Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, sweeter style California table wine but it has some substance

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, plums, raspberry jam, cherry and mocha. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bone in Short Ribs with Caramelized Butternut Squash Medallions.

Tasted: 21 January 2016

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale: 9/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 308007

AQUINAS PINOT NOIR 2013, North Coast, California, United States

23 Saturday Jan 2016

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Aquinas

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Sebastian & Sons
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweet style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features Christmas cake, Maraschino cherry, plums, coffee, nutmeg and violets on the nose. Full body with low tannins, low acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Way too sweet for me and some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: On the front label list this as from Napa & Sonoma County, which I find Atypical, but on the back label it’s listed as North Coast which I find sweeter Pinot Noirs

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sliders.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO: 277657

WOODWORK PINOT NOIR NO.7, 2013, North Coast, California, United States

21 Thursday Jan 2016

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Woodwork

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Woodwork Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot but does have some acidity & fruit to semi balance it

Description: Medium to light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features plums, cranberry, coffee, nutmeg and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Veal Cutlets with Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

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

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

LCBO: 428839

GAJA PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA RENNINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

20 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Rennina

Cost: $117.99 (Cayman Dollars) Sale for January $80.99 [LCBO $179.95]
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gaja
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Is there something beyond delicious?

Description: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ nose. This complex wine features cedar, pine needles, wild cherry, cranberry, boysenberry, mulberry, roasted red peppers, roasted walnuts, white truffles, sage, leather, underbrush and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine as my Christmas present

Drink now or in the next 15 of years on its own or pair it with prime rib au jus

Tasted: 14 January 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 694397 (Currently not in stores)

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Jan 2016

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Beronia

Cost: $15.95 (Sale until 31 Jan 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Note: My first experience with this wine was in the Cayman Islands. Sadly, until now it wasn’t available at the LCBO. Today it’s on their general list.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Lamb Chops in Rosemary Garlic Marinade.

Tasted: 2 January 2016

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Austalia

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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Wolf Blass

Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until 3 Jan 2016 $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Longhorne Creek, McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Commercial style Cab from Aussie land

Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features oak, cherry pie, ripe blueberries, plums, licorice, chocolate and vanilla. Full body average with light tannins, average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too jammy and sweet for my taste

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops topped with a spicy grilled fruit salsa.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 251876

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Wente Cab

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Intoxicating bouquet followed by a well-balanced taste

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrants, mulberry, turmeric, anise, cinnamon, cloves, leather, pencil shavings, mocha and a violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Probably one of the best Cabs for under $20 I’ve had. Tastes like a $35 Napa Cab.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tamarind and Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 301507

WYNNS BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Coonawarra, Australia

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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Wynn

Cost: $27.95 (Sale price until 3 Jan 2016 $24.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wynns Coonawarra Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich and savoury Cab

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ nose. This complex wine features cedar, pine, dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, blueberry, tamarind, eucalyptus, cassis, espresso, tobacco leaves, turmeric, pencil shavings and leather. Full body average with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Needs decanting to enjoy now on its own, but better if paired with high protein foods that can break down the tannin. I found the 2008, reviewed by me on my site, far better.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin.

Tasted: 18 Dec 2015

Best Buy at sale price

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

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

LCBO: 84996