Category Archives: Red Wines

ORGANIZED CRIME PETIT VERDOT UNFILTERED 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jan 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $54.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Bold but at the same time elegant. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, fine grained tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, black cherry, dried cranberry, blueberry, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa, sage & violets on the nose.

Negatives: High alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 18 months in older French Oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

Pairings: Decant for at least 1 hr, & drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Chipotle-Grilled Pork Shoulder Steaks with Corn Salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: December 31, 2023

CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2020, AOP Médoc, Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Nov 2023

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.50)
Grape: Right Bordeaux Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mêdoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Pierre de Montignac
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, yet balanced Médoc at half the price of its AOC cousins. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberry, plum, cassis, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, cocoa & granite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Let the wine breath for about an hour or decant to smooth out the tannin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2023

LCBO: 437954

MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION RED BLEND 2019, Central Coast, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Nov 2023

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $15.50)
Grape: Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: McBride Sisters
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

This will please those that like Cali red which has some substance & yet not overtly priced. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry pie, cherry, bramble fruit, plum, ripe tamarinds, mocha, orange chocolate, white pepper, tarragon, turmeric & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 13.9% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: November 7, 2023

LCBO: 30699

CABRAL RESERVA 2020, DOC Douro, Portugal

24 Tuesday Oct 2023

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viosinho, Arinto, Rabigato & gouveiro
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vallegre – Cabral
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Taste profile: It’s a combination of Sancerre, Viognier & Chenin Blanc. Great price especially for the quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, yellow pitahaya (yellow Dragon Fruit), pear, kiwi, apricot, white pepper & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with sushi.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: October 23, 2023

LCBO: 35446

MUD HOUSE PINOT NOIR 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand

03 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mud House
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant Pinot with bright juicy fruit flavours & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, bramble fruit, pomegranate, Allspice, dry thyme, Champagne mushrooms,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Farralon Salad

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 1, 2023

LCBO: 12630

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

25 Monday Sep 2023

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Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve. Score: 93/100

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features: cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it to bring out the fruit flavours.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Top Pick

Tested: September 21, 2023

13th STREET WINERY SYRAH 2021, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 90% Syrah 10% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Northern Rhône style without the high alcohol. Well-made featuring a complex mix of red fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry, arugula, white & cracked pepper, rosemary, shale & Sarah Peony on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaking Notes: “100% destemmed grapes. Grapes went through one-week cold soak and three more weeks maceration before pressing. The first six months in small barrels 228 liter. After racking from lees, extra aging in 500-liter French oak old puncheon. A selection of a few barrels.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with BBQ lamb spiedini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: August 19, 2023

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DES RICHARDS SIGNATURE 2018, AC Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France

12 Saturday Aug 2023

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Moulin des Richards
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic right bank Bordeaux made for under $20 that’s drinking well now. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, cassis, pencil shavings, turmeric, baby spinach & light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with lamb shank.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 9, 2023

LCBO: 26291

STRATUS PETIT VERDOT 2019, VAQ Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance Price: $27.30)
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Best Canadian Petit Verdot that I’ve tasted. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, spearmint, dark chocolate, pencil shavings, Allspice,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unfiltered

Pairings: Drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Garlic & Rosemary.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 27, 2023

LCBO: 142638

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SYRAH 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice clean, not aggressive Syrah that those that don’t like red wines may like this one. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, raspberry, cocoa, cloves, white pepper, baby spinach, & violets with light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Arabic coffee beef ribs with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 17, 2023