Category Archives: Red Wines

ALI 2012, IGT Tuscany, Italy

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

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Ali

Cost: $14.00 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 85% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Donna Laura
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An easy going wine that is exceptional for being under $15

Positives: This wine features light cedar with sour cherry, basil, thyme, cherry tomatoes, strawberry and Turkish delight. Medium body & tannins with good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The classic bottle and great taste create quite a sophisticated presentation.

Thanks to Mario from the new wine store, The Tasting Room in Grand Cayman for recommending this wine.

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

Tasted: 19 April 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5+/10, Total: 19/20

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

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2007, DOCG, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

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

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Brunello

Cost: $45.00 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duca Di Saragnano
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A perfect nose followed by a great taste.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar with sour cherry, cloves, nutmeg, sage, cherry cola, vanilla, white pepper, peppercorn, espresso, blackberry preserve & arugula. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & a long average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Taste like $60-$70 Brunello

Thanks to Mario from the new wine store, The Tasting Room in Grand Cayman for recommending this wine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with braised Bison short rib.

Tasted: 19 April 2014

Top pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

CUVÉE 2010, Dalmatia, Croatia

21 Monday Apr 2014

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croatia

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Croatia
Region: North Dalmatia’s Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Benkovac
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Three reasons to buy this wine: 1. Taste’s good, 2. Dalmatia is an ancient wine growing area that is coming back to form after the Soviet Union reign & 3. It’s only $15.95, can’t loose

Positives: This wine features a beautiful nose and an old world rustic taste. It shows cedar, blackberry, blueberry, oyster mushrooms, leather, graphite, sage, thyme, dark cherry & plum. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 12 April 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 359901

DRY CREEK VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

21 Monday Apr 2014

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Dry Creek

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A nice wine, but I’m torn as it taste more Chilean than Sonoma

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, plum, black peppercorn, green peppers, menthol, soy, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 17 April 2014

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

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

LCBO: 642207

BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Saturday Apr 2014

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cq5dam.web.1280.1280

Cost: $37.95 (On sale $32.95 until 27 April 2014)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Knights Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good time to try Beringer’s mid level Cab while it’s $5 off

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plum, raspberry, mocha, arugula, radicchio, spinach & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A bit bitter on the finish, however it dissipates after being decanted for about an hour.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with speck & arugula pizza.

Tasted: 9 April 2014

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

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

LCBO: 352583

BERONIA GRAN RESERVA 2006, DOC Rioja, Spain

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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Beronia

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Predominately Tempranillo with Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces while on an evening walk.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, plum, figs, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, mocha, vanilla, coconut, rosemary, sage, blueberry, mulberry and pipe tobacco. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Very youthful for a Gran Reserva

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 3 April 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 940965

EQUULEUS 2010, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Equuleus

Cost: $37.75 (Clearance Price $30)
Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite from Des Charmes, but even better that it’s at $30

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, red & black peppers, turmeric, Allspice, mocha & leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with braised beef shank.

Tasted: 31 March 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 319525

RUSTENBERG R.M NICHOLSON 2010, Stellenbosh, South Africa

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

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Rustenberg_Rm_Nicholson_2010_web

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A lot going on for a wine under $20

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, hickory, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper, cassis, arugula, radicchio and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Rustenberg was founded in 1682, but South Africa is still labeled as New World. Decant for 30 min to an hour.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with an aged T-bone steak.

Tasted: 26 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 278390

ELK COVE VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR 2011, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

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Elk Cove

Cost: $37.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Elk Cove Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Smooth and easy to drink, but not your typical Willamette Valley Pinot

Positives: This wine features pine, cherry, strawberry/raspberry mix, light smoky notes and mild forest floor. Medium light body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: There are a lot better Pinots at better prices

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

Tasted: 25 March 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

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

LCBO: 234534

GLEN CARLOU PETIT VERDOT & TANNAT 2009, Paarl, South Africa

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

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Glen Carlou

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Petit Verdot & Tannat
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Glen Carlou Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of Hubba Bubba grape gum

Positives: This wine features cedar, prunes, dark cherry, raspberry, hickory, iodine, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: If you have a cold, inhale this, as it will clear your nasal passages.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with dry rubbed beef ribs.

Tasted: 21 March 2014

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

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

LCBO: 363440