Tag Archives: Red Wine

ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Max

Cost: $18.95 (Sale $14.95 until 16 Sept 2015)
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.

A sold Cab that is full of flavour and easy to drink now but will improve with aging

Description: Medium deep ruby  in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, blackcurrants, cherry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, cassis, turmeric, mocha and leather. Medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Java Crusted Steak with peppery plum glaze.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 335174

COYOTE’S RUN PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Coyote

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth & vibrant entry Pinot from a winery that specializes in Pinots

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, violets, cherry, raspberry, portabella mushrooms, basil, thyme, forest greens and smouldering autumn leaves. Medium body and tannin with a mouthful of acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill and serve in a balloon glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Crispy Duck with spicy plum sauce.

Tasted: 28 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 53090

STONELEIGH PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

17 Monday Aug 2015

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Stoneleigh

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stoneleigh Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Explosive flavours with a nice mix of sweet & sour fruits

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, oak spice, nutmeg and autumn leaves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Slightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with my wife’s roasted rack of lamb with sour cherry sauce.

Tasted: 1 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 54353

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Aug 2015

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Magnotta Pinot

Cost: $20.05
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, funky & earthy styled Pinot. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for $20 & under

Description: Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features a barnyard nose in addition to aromas and flavours of pine, violets, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, licorice, forest earth and smoked charcoal. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I wasn’t impressed with this wine at the winery tasting, but figured that may be due to the small tasting glass and the wine being at room temperature. I figured right as in a proper glass and slightly chilled, this Pinot is beautiful.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Venison with rosemary.

Tasted: 11 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RAVINE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Aug 2015

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

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Cabernet-Franc-300x448

Cost: $35.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Ontario Cab Franc for a moderate price

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark and sour cherry, plum, ripe red currants, raspberry, blueberry, Allspice, rosemary, tobacco leaves, white peppers, roasted red peppers and forest greens. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established winery making sparkling wine since 1877. Nice bottle to impress dinner guest.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Rosemary Risotto.

Tasted: 31 July 2015

Top Pick

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

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

DECOY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Sunday Jul 2015

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Decoy

Cost: $33.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, sweet cherry, turmeric, plums, black currants, eucalyptus, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with coffee crusted beef tenderloin.

Tasted: 9 July 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 186171

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SHIRAZ 2013, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

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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

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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

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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+

MEERLUST PINOT NOIR 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

23 Thursday Apr 2015

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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