Château de Lisennes Cuvée Tradition 2010

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Decant the bottle or pour a glass and let it breathe for 30 minutes. Meduim+ body with an extra dry finish. Refined tannins and oak. Quite good and very French!
Right bank.  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
At a Glance
Taste red berry, french oak, raspberry
Smell bright cherry, pomegranate, french oak
Food hard cheese
Sweetness extra dry
Price $16.95
LCBO# 426171
Score     

Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti 2011

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This bottle is marked DOCG and is a well rounded Italian Chianti.  It goes well with any Italian food (especially with red sauce).  Drinks best on the first day, do-able on the second.
Alcohol/Vol 12.5%
At a Glance
Taste dried fruit, oak, black cherry
Smell black cherry, tobacco, leather
Food lasagna
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 545319
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J.J. McWilliams Cabernet Merlot 2011

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Pickup a few bottles of this well rounded value red wine.  It was easy drinking and turned out to be a crowd pleaser.
Alcohol Content: 13%
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste pomegranate, oak. blueberry
Smell blackberry, cherry, spice
Food pizza
Sweetness dry
Price $10.45
LCBO# 621599
Score

Barefoot Merlot

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I’ve had better bottles from Barefoot.  This one is a pretty simple medium bodied off dry weekday merlot.  Give their Shiraz a go.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, vanilla, chocolate
Smell dark berry, cherry, raspberry
Food bbq lunch
Sweetness off dry
Price $9.95
LCBO# 53991
Score

Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2010

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This wine has a great profile however while drinking it I found it lacks mouthfeel and depth. Both key aspects this California Zinfandel lover craves.
I will say Dancing Bull is a good value if you are just getting into zins. (Expect to pay an extra 5 to 6 dollars to get the depth).
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste spice, raspberry, oak
Smell blueberry, cherry, oak
Food anything grilled, asiago
Sweetness dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 669499
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Fontana Di Papa Castelli Romani 2010

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Well, this wine isn’t giving me much to work with, but that’s because it’s your very basic Italian D.O.C. table wine. One of the least expensive reds I’ve seen at the LCBO, not because all their wines are great, it’s because the prices are beyond terrible in Ontario and not much better country wide.
Made From: Cesanese, Sangiovese, Merlot, Montepulciano (unsure of the percentages). 12.0% Alcohol/Vol
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste medium berry, dried fruit, vanilla
Smell cherry, light fruit
Food grilled meat, mild cheddar
Sweetness extra dry
Price $7.45
LCBO# 219634
Score

Mirassou Pinot Noir 2010

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A soft, fruit forward, easy drinking (very) California pinot noir
Pickup a few bottles, it makes a great house pinot
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, vanilla, raspberry
Smell cherry, plum, vanilla
Food salmon, risotto
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 185249
Score

Folonari Valpolicella 2009

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Even though there isn’t a lot going on in the glass, it’s not a bad choice at all for casual bbq food. Not sure if this is really LCBO #828 or what I have listed below, the price difference is 4 more dollars.
This valpolicella is a blend of 65% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, oak
Smell cherry, oak, raspberry
Food pizza, burgers
Sweetness dry
Price $8.00
LCBO# 6254
Score

KWV Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

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Well there isn’t a huge story behind this bottle but it is a good easy drinking wine for a weekday evening.
Put this bottle in the fridge for 20 minutes before opening
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, cedar, cigar
Smell cedar, cherry, plum
Food grilled red meats, medium cheeses
Sweetness dry
Price $10.00
LCBO# 22004
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Carlo Rossi California Red 2007

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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.
At a Glance
Taste cherry, plum, vanilla
Smell vanilla, cherry, plum
Food cold cuts
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.45
LCBO# 00070813
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Ruffino Il Ducale 2005

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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
At a Glance
Taste dark cherry, chocolate, cigar box
Smell plum, cherry, warm spice
Food grilled red meat, ravioli
Sweetness dry
Price $19.80
LCBO# 27797
Score

Liberty School Zinfandel 2006

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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
At a Glance
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