Category Archives: Red Wines

MAGNOTTA’S MERLOT 2011, Chile

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Chile Merlot

Cost: $8.95 ($7.97 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine for under $9, and even more so when it’s on sale. Smooth, juicy, full flavoured with dark fruits

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, licorice, star anise and eucalyptus. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me thinks its more

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops

Tasted: 5 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

TESSELLAE OLD VINES 2012, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon, France

24 Sunday Aug 2014

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Tessellae

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tessellae
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, smooth & easy drinking wine with lots of flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium Cherry, mulberry, blueberry, lavender, black and white peppers, Kirsch liqueur and mesquite. Medium to medium+ body, light tannins with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The Grenache grapes were sourced from 60 year old vines while the Syrah and Mourvedre came from 20 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 2 year on its own or pair it with beef tenderloin with cherry black pepper sauce.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2014

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

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

LCBO: 343517

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES TRIONFO 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Aug 2014

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

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Trionfo

Cost: $8.55 (On sale if you buy a case it comes out to $7.55/bottle)
Grape Variety: Baco Noir, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a really pleasant surprise. An easy drinking, vibrant, red fruit wine with no negatives and under $9!

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features red currants, wild raspberry, mild Christmas cake, smoke ambers and dried herbs. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: – Chill the wine to 15 C and use a Pinot Noir glass
                         – I like the saying on the back label: ” I see the horse not just as a thing of beauty but also a soul mate” 

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Speck, Brie and Arugula pizza. (FYI Ragazzi at Grand Cayman makes the best)

Tasted: 20 Aug 2014

Amazing and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

THELEMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa

17 Sunday Aug 2014

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Thelma

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance $23.20)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Cab that will only get better with age and for under $30, but even better at the clearance price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blueberry, blackberry, plums, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, tobacco leaves, eucalyptus and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington

Tasted: 14 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 949305

E. GUIGAL CÔTE DU RHÔNE 2011, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, France

16 Saturday Aug 2014

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E. Guigal Rhone

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 5% Mouvèdre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking quality Rhône wine for under $20

Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plum, white & black peppers, black olives, licorice, shitake mushrooms and smoked earth. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: E. Guigal consistently produces excellent wines from entry level to high end.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with steak sandwich from Vincentina Meats .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 259721

SACRED HILL PINOT NOIR 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

16 Saturday Aug 2014

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Sacred Hill

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sacred Hill
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Value to quality you can’t beat it for a good Pinot Noir

Description: Light garnet with a slight cloudiness in colour, which may be a result of the wine being unfiltered, with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light pine and smoke, fresh carnations, beets, wild strawberry, sweet cherry, plums, barnyard and mushrooms. Light body and tannins with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 277665

ESTANCIA RESERVE BENCHMARK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2009, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

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

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Estancia

Cost: $36.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Estancia
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me when I was a kid and eating candy apples at the EX

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, wild cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cloves, and the nose is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces on a crisp autumn night. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity, a long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled medium rare Wagyu striploin .

Tasted: 8 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 327049

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF RIOJA 2012, Doc, Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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Montebuena

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Montebuena
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose won’t please a lot, but the taste will

Description: Deep ruby to purple in colour with a medium intense nose. The wine shows smoked spiced oak, bitter cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, umami and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with low but dry tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My mom really liked it (Insert shocked face)

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 31 July 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 211029

CHATEAU RAHOUL GRAVES 2010, Ac Graves, France

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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Chateau Rahoul

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: 70% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Rahoul
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth as silk

Description: Deep almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, black tea, licorice, cinnamon, umami, tobacco leaf, and oregano. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 30 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 226043

MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Valle de Aconcagua, Chile

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

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wine_25106_web

Cost: $18.95 (Sale $15.95 until 17 Aug 2014)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Aconcagua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Errazuriz
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

“Danger Will Robinson!” So smooth & delicious that’s it’s easy to drink 2 bottles

Description: Medium+ ruby with a hint of garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine for under $20 wine features cedar, violets, black and red currants, cherry, blueberry, plum, cassis, turmeric, mocha, light graphite and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20, but this is the best vintage that I have tried to date.

Drink now or in the next 5 year on its own or pair it with oxtail stew.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 335174