Category Archives: Red Wines

SANTA RITA RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012, DO Rapel Valley, Chile

27 Monday Jul 2015

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Santa Rita

Cost: $13.95 (Sale: $12.45 until Aug 16, 2105)
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Rita
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a powerful Carmenère, just right & a delicious, juicy wine for under $14

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, plum, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, nectarine, licorice, soy sauce, Allspice, peppers and oregano. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Peruvian coriander herb crusted rack of lamb.

Tasted: 24 July 2015

Amazing Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 177774

PRIMARIUS PINOT NOIR 2012, Oregon, United States

27 Monday Jul 2015

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Primarius

Cost: $25.95 (Clearance: $20.80)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Primarius Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

More Gamay-like than Pinot, but still a half decent wine

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, tamarind, rose petals, and a light smoky finish. Light to medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin.

Tasted: 25 July 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: 402180

CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA’S BLEND 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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wine_76781_web

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec & 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Ontario wine for under $20

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. A fairly complex wine featuring cedar, black & red currants, black raspberry, cloves, cinnamon, dried herbs, mint, cassis, smoked Montreal meat, black pepper, leather and tomato leaves. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This shows the world that Ontario red wines can be of good quality at a reasonable price.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops in Moroccan BBQ Sauce.

Tasted: 18 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 117960

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES ZINFANDEL NV, California, United States

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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Magnotta Zin

Cost: $10.15
Grape Variety: 75% Zinfandel, 25% other red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well, this is impressive for $10!

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense perfume nose. This wine features violets, fresh carnations, lavender, ripe tamarind, plums, raisins, cloves, red and black raspberries, dark cherry and red currants. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting note: Don’t think I’ve had a quality Zin for $10 until now, plus only 13.5% alcohol? Double impressive!

Drink now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy baby back ribs.

Tasted: 17 July 2015

Amazing Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

DECOY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Sunday Jul 2015

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Decoy

Cost: $33.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, sweet cherry, turmeric, plums, black currants, eucalyptus, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with coffee crusted beef tenderloin.

Tasted: 9 July 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 186171

WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

04 Saturday Jul 2015

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Grey Label

Cost: $35 (On sale $30 until 21 June 2015)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a good solid, complex Shiraz, powerful but not jammy

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plums, black currants, peppercorns, eucalyptus, vanilla, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with spicy barbecued leg of lamb with rosemary and mint sauce.

Tasted: 20 June 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 390872

FEUDO DI SANTA CROCE, PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2011, DOP Puglia, Italy

12 Friday Jun 2015

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Feudo-Celebration-Primitivo

Cost: $24.00 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Primitivo di Manduria
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tinazzi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Primitivo’s I’ve tasted; rich, balanced & smooth, but not overripe

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, fresh cut carnations, violets, raisins, plums, blueberries, raspberries and cloves. Full body with soft tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from the Tasting Room for suggesting this wine.

Interesting Note:  This is a quality wine showcased in a heavy and beautifully labeled bottle, and could easily pass for a wine double in price.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with BBQ point cut smoked brisket.

Tasted: 11 June 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

ERATH PINOT NOIR 2013, Oregon, United States

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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Erath

Cost: $23.55 CI (Cayman Islands) $24.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Erath Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant Pinot bursting with pomegranate

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, pomegranate, cherry, plums, strawberry, rhubarb and hints of sage. Medium to light body with mild tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Maybe too tart for some

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with salted smokehouse almonds.

Tasted: 8 June 2015

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

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

LCBO: 394718

ESSER PINOT NOIR 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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Cost: $20.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Esser
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Monterey County Pinot for under $25

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This smoky Pinot features light cedar, hickory, cherry, strawberry, thyme, pimento, cardamom, cranberry, beets, tobacco & cola. Medium to light body body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Texas style slow smoked brisket.

Tasted: 7 June 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

PENINSULA RIDGE MCNALLY VINEYARDS PROPRIETOR’S RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

31 Sunday May 2015

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $20.25
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Tries to deliver premium Pinot taste at a good price, but falls short

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features spruce, violets, cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, musk and white pepper. Medium light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little light on the taste

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Herb Lamb Cutlets with caramelized shallots and oven roasted diced sweet potatoes and red peppers.

Tasted: 27 May 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 257543