CYCLES GLADIATOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California, United States of America

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cycles Gladiator
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a simple but an intense, in your face Cab blend. However, the wine doesn’t know what it wants to be & therefore not worth the price point. Score: 84/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, raspberry, plum, black candy licorice & dates.  

Negatives: A little too intense for me in a negative way as its emphasis the black licorice & sweetness that I don’t like

Interesting Point: “Inspired by the women’s suffrage movement, we drew our name from the 19th century French bicycle manufacturer, the Gladiator Company, and honor their iconic art on our wine label. The red-haired maiden soaring through the sky on her bicycle symbolized the new liberation of women from their homes after centuries of repression. Bicycles, as Susan B. Anthony praised, literally emancipated women from domesticity, allowing them to travel outside their households to work and vote.” Cycles Gladiator

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Blackstrap Molasses BBQ Beef Ribs

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: January 19, 2021

LCBO: 16481

THREE THIEVES CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Three Thieves Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If you can get past the slight bitter aftertaste, this Chard isn’t that bad. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, orange pith, peach, pear, green apples, figs, vanilla & ginger.

Negatives: A touch too bitter on the aftertaste

Interesting Point: 2017 vintage that I reviewed last year was a lot better.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Chicken Thighs with Orange-Ginger Glaze.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: January 15, 2021

LCBO: 633560

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL VERDEJO 2019, DO Rueda, Spain

14 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.14 (Clearance price: $11.35)
Grape: Verdejo
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rueda
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp white with lots of citric notes & a little tartness on the finish, which is known for the Verdejo grape. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, clementine, dragon fruit, grapefruit, fennel, dry sage & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2019 label in the store is different than what the LCBO has on their site. The change is from having Rueda to Verdejo.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Fish tacos with blackened mahi-mahi, escabeche, and mojo aioli.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 14, 2021

LCBO: 36822

LAS MULAS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Chile

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miguel Torres
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Chard with some complexity. I would recommend this wine at the sale price of $11.95, but on the fence at its current price of $14.95. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, melon, pear, peach, marzipan, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: Slight sour note at the back of the throat

Interesting Point: Certified organic

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with a Rueben sandwich on Rye with Sour Pickles.

My Opinion: On-The-Fence

Tasted: January 11, 2021

LCBO: 572362

CONO SUR CHARDONNAY ORGANIC 2019, Chile

11 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Chard full of citric fruit with good complexity at a great value for under $15. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, green apple, pear, peach, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Pan Seared Red Snapper with Citrus Mango Salsa.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 10, 2021

LCBO: 230565

MONTECILLO RIOJA RESERVA 2013, DOC Rioja, Spain

10 Sunday Jan 2021

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

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $14.95)
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 7% Mazuelo, 4% Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Montecillo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A really good wine consistently vintages to vintage, add to it that it’s an aged wine for under $18, but then add when it’s on sale, which is a couple times a year at the LCBO, & you just need to buy a case, it’s that good for the price. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, strawberry, blackcurrants, plum, dates, licorice, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, leather & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 – 15 years & pair it with Flank Steak with Rib Lamb Chop.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 9, 2021

LCBO: 621003

L.A. CETTO PETITE SYRAH 2007, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico

09 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Petite Syrah, Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Mexico
Region: Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: L.A. Cetto
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I always like to find the positive in everything, no matter how bad it is, so this wine is better than turpentine. Score: Not worth scoring. Not Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2021

LCBO: 983742

PENLEY ESTATE PHOENIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Coonawara, Australia

07 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penley Estate
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine needs to be decanted to mellow out the tannin, but once you do that this wine becomes pleasant with lots of spice & black fruit. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, bramble fruit, plum, spearmint, anise, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I admit it, I bought this wine because I liked the label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Flank Steak with a Mint Chimichurri.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2021

LCBO: 639575

MASI CAMPOFIORIN 2017, IGT Verona, Italy

04 Monday Jan 2021

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

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Cost: $22.00
Grape: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Verona
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Masi
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, smooth & velvety with lots of fruits & spice. Simply delicious. Score: 93/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, figs, dried cranberries, pomegranate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, oregano & spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Masi is Vegan friendly as they do not use any animal by-products or allergy causing products in the wine production.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 15-20 years & pair it with well-aged cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: January 4, 2021

LCBO: 155051

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO 2018, DOC Rioja, Spain

31 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Camp Viejo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full of black fruit & spice. An excellent buy for under $15. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, tamarind paste, rye bread, Harissa, arugula & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Spanish-Style Beef Brisket.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 30, 2020

LCBO: 342006