February 17th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Italy, Sangiovese No Comments »
January 17th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, Merlot No Comments »
November 29th, 2009 Chuck Posted in France, Shiraz 1 Comment »
| At first sip you can tell this is a french wine without even trying. The LCBO gave this wine a nice writeup but I’ll disagree with it. They saw plenty of blackberry, fruit and spice, I didn’t. They also mention it’s ‘very drinkable tonight’, while I’d cellar it for 2 years. |
| At least it’s 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. |
| Tip: If your buying syrah/shiraz, go Aussie (Penfolds), then Californian (Cline) |
| Taste |
oak, heat, red berry |
| Smell |
oak, resin, greens |
| Food |
well done grilled red meat |
| Sweetness |
extra dry |
| Price |
$14.95 |
| LCBO# |
104752 |
| Score |
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October 31st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Red Blend, USA 3 Comments »
| Everyone loves choices, with this wine you can choose to buy it in a: bottle, large format bottle, funny jug with a ring handle and even a box. America #$@% YEAH! |
| This wine conjures up memories of a previous review: Charles Shaw Merlot 2007 |
| Tip: price listed is for the 1.5L bottle, don’t buy what you can’t drink within 2 days. |
| Taste |
cherry, plum, vanilla |
| Smell |
vanilla, cherry, plum |
| Food |
cold cuts |
| Sweetness |
off dry |
| Price |
$13.45 |
| LCBO# |
00070813 |
| Score |
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October 10th, 2009 Sean Posted in Merlot, USA No Comments »
| Only in America? This merlot came to us for $1.99. Often called two-buck-chuck, this wine is mostly found at Trader Joe’s in the United States. One thing is certain, we have never encountered two-dollar wine in Canada…god bless America. |
| First thing is the colour, yeah thats right I spelled it with a “u”. Get over it. Great dark purple, with light edges. We were actually surprised as this wine is not offensive, easy drinking and generally “not bad”. Does that make it a California Cab? Hell no. But, if your having a group over or making large quantities of Sangria. |
| Tip: chill slightly |
| Taste |
cherry, strawberry, berry jam |
| Smell |
vanilla, strawberry, cherry cola |
| Food |
cheese nachos, cheddar, cold cuts |
| Sweetness |
off dry |
| Price |
$1.99 |
| LCBO# |
0 |
| Score |
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June 21st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Sangiovese No Comments »
| Here’s a great example of a Super Tuscan done right. This IGT wine is only IGT because it bent the rules slightly but it was worth it. A very close cousin to chianti, this bottle will pair well with any Italian food or bbq’d red meat. Overall it’s nice and round, medium to full bodied with smooth tannins. |
| Blend is: 60% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 15% syrah |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
dark cherry, chocolate, cigar box |
| Smell |
plum, cherry, warm spice |
| Food |
grilled red meat, ravioli |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$19.80 |
| LCBO# |
27797 |
| Score |
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May 3rd, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Red Blend No Comments »
| At first glance this bottle looks like something shampoo would come it, but once on the table with the cap off, it feels kind of futuristic. Overall this is a pretty good wine, a little bit more than the lower end reds but it’s worth the extra 3.50. Overall it’s a dry, medium bodied wine with soft acidity and ripe tannins. |
| 4-Way Blend (quatto means four in Italian): Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Cabernet. Surprisingly, the pinot really does shine through. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
strawberry, spice, light oak |
| Smell |
red berry, raspberry, white pepper |
| Food |
veal marsala |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$13.95 |
| LCBO# |
78048 |
| Score |
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April 2nd, 2009 Chuck Posted in USA, Zinfandel No Comments »
| When I tried their 2005 Cabernet I made a mental note to remember the name Liberty School. I’m glad I did. |
| Their label sums it up nicely: “fruit-driven, soft and approachable”. The tannins are present but not overpowering which lets the drinker enjoy it on it’s own or paired with food. |
| Tip: Released on Jan 17, 2009 |
| Taste |
dark ripe berry, warm spice, vanilla |
| Smell |
dark ripe berry, warm spice, cherry |
| Food |
beef, steak, sausage |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$17.95 |
| LCBO# |
41095 |
| Score |
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March 22nd, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend 1 Comment »
| After seeing this bottle time and time again in the LCBO magazine I decided to give it a taste. It’s a fairly typical blend, nothing stands out too much. You’ll find it Medium-bodied with soft, drying tannins and moderate acidity. |
| A blend of three classic grape varieties: 52% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, which undergo traditional red wine making. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
ripe berry, leather, spice |
| Smell |
black cherry, strawberry, vanilla |
| Food |
pasta, bbq |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$12.95 |
| LCBO# |
56390 |
| Score |
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March 1st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Valpolicella 1 Comment »
| This DOC Italian ripasso was received very well by everyone at the table. The re-passing (ripasso) technique involves a second fermentaion on the leftover grape skins of Amarone giving it a deeper colour, fuller body, aroma and flavour. Also watch for hints of perrer and ginger. |
| Grapes used: Corvina 65%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 5%, altri vitigni (others) 10% |
| Tip: Release Date - Nov 8, 2008 |
| Taste |
black cherry, anise, light oak |
| Smell |
black cherry, plum, tar |
| Food |
red meat, cheese, portobello mushrooms |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$16.95 |
| LCBO# |
999946 |
| Score |
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February 26th, 2009 Chuck Posted in France, Red Blend 2 Comments »
| Here is a nice example of an easy drinking French ‘Vin de Table’. It’s: non-vintage, very smooth, mild tannin, not complex, very drinkable and very affordable. |
|
Blend consists of: Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah
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| Tip: comes in a 1L bottle |
| Taste |
soft berry, tart raspberry, light toasted oak |
| Smell |
soft berry, strawberry |
| Food |
red meat, medium cheese |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$9.95 |
| LCBO# |
130674 |
| Score |
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February 19th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo No Comments »
| This Spanish tempranillo is what I’d imagine you’d find on most people’s table in Spain, it’s good table wine and the price is just right. |
| Although the wine is not very complex, I do like the firm tannins in play. |
| Tip: tulip glass |
| Taste |
blackberry, oak, tea |
| Smell |
blackberry, vanilla, spice |
| Food |
lamb, stew, sausages |
| Sweetness |
dry |
| Price |
$8.95 |
| LCBO# |
343434 |
| Score |
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