Category Archives: Red Wines

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR 2013, Western Cape, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Cathedral

Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until 29 Nov 2015: $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV Cathedral Cellar
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A Cab that taste twice it’s cost

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, boysenberry, nectarine, turmeric, cassis, eucalyptus, cinnamon, thyme and smoked leather. Full body with 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 Venison Roast with red wine and juniper berries.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 328567

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Oyster Bay

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16:00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A light charming Pinot that has character for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, rhubarb, nutmeg, kiwi, wet moss and light smoky underbrush. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Remember to lightly chill this wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Squab Pigeon with Leeks.

Tasted: 22 Nov 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: 590414

FOLIE À DEUX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Folie Cab

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, well balanced & delicious

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

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.1% alcohol

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour before serving.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Brazilian style flank steak with chimichurri sauce.

Tasted: 11 Nov 2015 (Lest We Forget)

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

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

LCBO: 186163

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Grange

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter Old World style Pinot for under $20

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine displays a lot of earthy notes, Shitake mushrooms, forest floor, wet moss & twigs, followed by cranberry, sour cherry and Christmas cake. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This wine grows on you. Remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 230227

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

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

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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)