Category Archives: Red Wines

HAHN PINOT NOIR 2014, Monterey County, California, United States

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Hahn

Cost: $18.75
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hahn Family Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For those that like sweet Pinots

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sweet cranberry, dark chocolate Maraschino cherry and Christmas cake. Full body with light tannins, average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now on its own or pair it with Roasted Turkey with Apple-Onion stuffing.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2015

Score: 5/10, Value: 5/10 Total: 10/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 226555

VILLA CAFAGGIO CORTACCIO VENDEMMIA 2006, IGT Tuscany, Italy

12 Thursday Nov 2015

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Cortaccio

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscani
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Cafaggio
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Old World style that’s smooth, delicious & a great price for an aged wine that’s available now

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features a mix of cedar and sandalwood, followed by dried cherry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, Portobello mushrooms, Christmas cake, cassis, cinnamon, sage, oregano, mocha, forest floor and damp moss. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Interesting Point: An Atypical Tuscan Cab.  This wine is more like a Rioja Grand Reserva than a Tuscan Cab, but I still like it.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Slow Braised Lamb Shanks.

Tasted: 3 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 20966

OSTATU RESERVA 2008, DOC Rioja, Spain

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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Ostatu

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Ostatu
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, well balanced & simply delicious

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, blueberry, dried cherry, plum, orange zest, cola, cigar box, sage, rosemary, curried meats, Allspice and white pepper. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sourced from 50 year old vines, and aged in French oak for 16 months.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Sausage and Sage Lasagna.

Tasted: 30 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 379909

CHURCH and STATE MERLOT 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard, British Columbia, Canada

02 Monday Nov 2015

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church

Cost: $19.90
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location British Columbia
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Church & State Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s juicy, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, ripe tamarind and spinach. Medium+ body with some green tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Not in LCBO

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

Tasted: 29 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2103, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Oct 2015

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l_leshiraz10

Cost: $18.15 (Sale price until 31 Oct 2015: $14.15)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, black & white peppers, plums, loganberry and sage. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Interesting Points: I just loved the 2010 vintage (reviewed on this site) and the 2013 vintage, although still young, follows closely behind. Big difference is that this vintage maybe smoother than the 2010, but not as complex.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Fig Skewers.

Tasted: 22 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MEYER PINOT NOIR 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

19 Monday Oct 2015

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Meyer

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Strath Ale Wine & Spirits Merchants, Victoria, BC
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meyer Family Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This could pass for a $50 Burgundian Pinot, truly delicious

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features barnyard smells, pine, dark cherries, raspberry, rhubarb, pinenuts, beets, a touch of Christmas cake, forest moss and smoked ambers. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly, there’s some heat from only 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Lightly chill

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Balsamic Cherry and Thyme Glazed Duck Breast.

Tasted: 7 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 392449 (2012 vintage presently at LCBO)

ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States

19 Monday Oct 2015

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Robert Mondavi

Cost: $34.95 (Sale until 11 Oct: $29.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Linear in tasting, but may evolve in time

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, mulberry, blackcurrants, cassis, licorice, turmeric, espresso, dried Provencal herbs, spinach and spearmint. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Unusual high 15% alcohol for a Napa Cab, but lucky that it doesn’t show it on the taste

Drink on its own in the next 5 to 10 years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Shanks with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 6 Oct 2015

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

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

LCBO: 255513

THE MUSICIAN CABERNET SHIRAZ 2012, Coonawarra, Australia

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Musician

Cost: $19.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Majella Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An Aussy Cab/Shiraz that’s not jammy, priced right & oh yes it’s good

Description: Deep garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, cherry, eucalyptus, white pepper, roasted red peppers, turmeric, fresh cut carnations & Allspice. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Using a Shiraz style wine glass smooths out the tannins versus the larger Cabernet Sauvignon glass

Drink now on its own or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy BBQ Leg of Lamb with Rosemary Couscous.

Tasted: 2 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated 4

LCBO: 142018

GREG NORMAN ESTATES CABERNET MERLOT 2007, Limestone Coast, Australia

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Greg Norman

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: $20.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Limestone Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greg Norman
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely aged and not jammy wine even with a 14.5% alcohol

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, cocoa, Allspice, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: 8 years and still going strong

Drink now on its own or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Venison with blueberries and shallots.

Tasted: 30 Sept 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 552075

MAYOR DE CASTILLA CRIANZA 2012, DO Ribera Del Duero, Spain

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Mayor

Cost: $12.15
Grape: Tinta del Pais Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Señorio De Castilla
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Proper glass is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features some sandalwood, pomegranate, blueberry, red currants, oregano and tobacco leaf. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol on the finish and a little watery

Interesting Point: Using the smaller Tempranillo wine glass smooths out the tannins versus the larger Cabernet Sauvignon glass

Drink now on its own or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Hot & Smoky Vindaloo with Pork Belly.

Tasted: 1 Oct 2015

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 318931