Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2011

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Drink in 1-2 yrs.  Structured but needs time.  Slight peppercorn on the finish.  Full body and extra dry.
Blend of: Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre
At a Glance
Taste blueberry, mulberry, vanilla
Smell mulberry, oak, black tea
Food pot roast
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 177485
Score     

Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2013

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This wine will benefit from an hour in the decanter.  I find most french wines do.  This wine scored a 93 but it’s a 3.5 on our scale since it JUST snuck in under our $20 limit.  A nice bottle but we can do a bit better for the price.
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan
At a Glance
Taste black cherry, mulberry, spice
Smell black cherry, plum, medium french oak
Food pot roast
Sweetness dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 119354
Score     

Farnese Fantini Negroamaro 2013

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Meduim+ body with a dry finish.  Fruit forward and food friendly.  If you like my pick for house red (Farnese Sangiovese) give this one a try too.
Alcohol/Vol 13%
At a Glance
Taste mulberry, plum, spice
Smell dark berry, black cherry, spice
Food pizza
Sweetness dry
Price $8.95
LCBO# 143735
Score   

Hermanos Lurton Tempranillo 2012

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It’s big, spanish, has gripping tannins and notes of medium-heavy toasted oak.  My new benchmark Tempranillo.  Alcohol/Vol 15%.  100% Tempranillo.
Update: Discontinued and reduced in price from $16.95 -> $13.95 -> $7.60 (so basically a sane non-Canadian price)
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, earth, toasted oak
Smell mulberry, blueberry, grape skins
Food stew, game
Sweetness extra dry
Price $13.95
LCBO# 372342
Score

 

Update: 6 Months Later (2016-03):

Taste: cassis, black tea, plum

Smell: mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, tobacco

 

 

 

Red Rock Malbec Reserve 2010

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While typically not a fan of malbecs, this one is quite good. I liked the fruit forward characteristics of it – which aren’t seen in malbecs from places like South America, making this bottle…very…Californian.
I disagree with the LCBO’s sweetness descriptor of Extra Dry. Dry it is, Extra it is not.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste mulberry, oak, cherry
Smell mulberry, currant, oak
Food beef, asiago
Sweetness dry
Price $16.95
LCBO# 284315
Score

Poderi Angelini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008

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Easily the best Primitivo we’ve reviewed on this site. Extra dry, firm tannins and plenty of depth makes this a great match for fans of Italian reds and Italian food.
Special thanks to Nurse Nancy for the bottle! It was enjoyed with family and Sunday lunch.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe strawberry, oak, light vanilla
Smell mulberry, dark cherry, light oak
Food italian
Sweetness extra dry
Price $17.95
LCBO# 268136
Score

Tatone Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2005

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For those wondering, Tatone means ‘grandfather’. This Italian wine is rich, dry and full bodied.
The first thing you’ll notice is the deep purple colour and legs on this wine.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, oak, bitters
Smell mulberry, black cherry, oak
Food grilled portobello mushrooms
Sweetness extra dry
Price $15.95
LCBO# 994616
Score

Masi Campofiorin 2004

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This is the 34th vintage of this supervenetian comprised of: 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. This wine is made using the appasimento technique (double fermentation) and the result is a full bodied wine with soft tannins. There are hints of the following: resin, jam, violet and a tangy finish.
This wine will pair very well with a variety of foods including: red meat, sharp cheeses, osso bucco, wild mushroom risotto and veal parm.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste black cherry, oak, prune
Smell raisin, mulberry, light oak
Food red meat, steak, sharp cheese, veal
Sweetness dry
Price $17.45
LCBO# 155051
Score

Pasqua Volto Primitivo 2006

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High five to all the tree-huggers out there, this is my first bottle of wine in a PET (plastic) bottle, and surprisingly I didn’t hate it as much as I would have thought.  Although I wouldn’t feel good about bringing a PET bottle as a hostess present, my favourite aspect of it was the smaller and lighter size of the bottle, while remaining to hold 750ml.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, although primitivo is genetically the same as zinfandel, it is not styled the same and doesn’t hold a candle to a California Zin.  Maybe this skewed my option a bit due to the fact that I would love to find such a value priced zin, regardless, I found myself at a table with two others who thought the wine was quite nice.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste tart plum, sour cherry
Smell mulberry, blackberry
Food mushroom and parmesan pasta
Sweetness dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 64121
Score

Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

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This Californian cabernet has a medium-full bodied mouthfeel, very smooth tannins and silky finish.
Very well liked at the table by all, even non-affectionados.
Tip: described in a single word: delicious
At a Glance
Taste cassis, strawberry, tea
Smell mulberry, blackberry, menthol
Food grilled portobello mushrooms
Sweetness dry
Price $17.90
LCBO#
Score