Category Archives: Red Wines

BURNING KILN CAB FRANK 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Burning Kiln

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique Cab Franc in an appassimento style leaving a nice sweetness & no green bell pepper

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features dark plums, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cassis, anise, tobacco, chocolate and Christmas cake. Full body with medium to low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat at the end from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Note: The grapes dried for 10-14 days, and the wine is named after the wine maker; Frank DeLeebeck.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and rosemary fingerling potatoes.

Tasted: 21 May 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 310268

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SHIRAZ 2013, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


l_srshiraz09

Cost: $13.10 (Sale until 18 May 2015: $11.70)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, good flavours with a little spice

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plums, cassis, anise and peppercorn. Medium body with medium to light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Unlike some of their other Special Reserve wines from Ontario, this one isn’t VQA. Styled in the French Syrah way rather than the Aussie Shiraz way.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared pork glazed with sweet and tangy plum sauce.

Tasted: 18 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR 2014, South Island, New Zealand

16 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,


Kim Crawford

Cost: $19.95 (Sale: $17.95 until 24 May 2015)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: South Islands
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kim Crawford
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complex, just a nice easy drinking wine

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, strawberry and watermelon. Medium light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Remember to chill Pinots to 15 C or 59 F

Thanks to my friend Doug who recommended this wine

Drink now or in the next couple years on its own or pair it with Salmon with a herb butter sauce.

Tasted: 15 May 2015

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

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

LCBO: 626390

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday May 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Cab and Franc

Cost: $14.15 (Sale: $13.15 until 18 May 2105)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good quality Cab Franc for under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, grilled green peppers, white pepper, Kalamata olives, dark chocolate, mocha and tomato leaf. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is slightly better than the previous 2011 vintage, that I reviewed last year so I up it to be an Amazing Value.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with lamb chops glazed with spicy tomato leaf infused mint sauce.

Tasted: 14 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA MERITAGE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags


Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20 (Sale $19.20 May 8-17, 2015)
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Extremely pleasant & an elegant wine to bring to a dinner party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, cassis, turmeric, Allspice, oregano and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have tried the 2010 vintage at Magnotta tastings many times and I wasn’t too impressed as it felt light in taste especially compared to the 2009, which I really liked and reviewed on my site. However, at the sales price, I said what the heck, and was pleasantly surprised when I used the proper wine glass and slightly chilled.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with a cassis and soy sauce reduction.

Tasted: 8 May 2015

Best Buy at sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE RED 2011, Red Mountain, Washington State, United States

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,


Hedges

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Red Mountain, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hedges Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end wine at half the price that’s elegant and delicious

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, blackberry, dark cherry, black currants, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, cassis, dry herbs, espresso and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Still young but drinking well now. If you can, buy several and cellar them.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with pan seared butter-basted rib eye steak.

Tasted: 27 April 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: 1594

MEERLUST PINOT NOIR 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,


Meerlust

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meerlust Estate
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking savoury Pinot that should please a wide range of taste buds

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lightly smoked oak, bramble, strawberry, sour cherry, forest greens and a touch of spearmint. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14%

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Pork cutlets served with strawberry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 377226

MICHEL HAURY GRENACH PETITE EDITION 2013, Vin de France

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Grenache

Cost: $12.20
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel Haury
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise for a French table wine for under $13 & 100% Grenache. It’s delicate, easy drinking yet brimming with flavour

Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to low intense nose. What the nose doesn’t show, the taste certainly does. This wine features cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, orange peel, cloves and some leather on the finish. Medium to light body and tannins with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works best in a smaller wine glasses such as Chianti or Zinfandel, and have it cellar temperature or even slightly below.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with nachos supreme

Tasted: 18 April 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 361709

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

11 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,


Pinot

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bridlewood Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a typical varietal or regional character & this will appeal to those that like the sweeter red style wines

Description: Light ruby with garnet overtones in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked-caramelized oak, maraschino cherry, cinnamon, vanilla and bramble pie. Full body with low tannins and acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me and the 14% alcohol is noticeable

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese BBQ Ribs

Tasted: 10 April 2015

Score: 7/10, Value: 6/10 Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5+

LCBO: 361824

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,


Keint-He

Cost: $18.00
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.

Tasted: 3 April 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: 373407