Lamb and Rioja!

Marques De Riscal Reserva

Vinos De Los Herederos Del

Rioja, Spain

2007 - 13.5% - $20.35

  Ruby red with a bit of garnet in colour. Strong nose of blackberry, spice, and cedar. Medium + body, with chalky tannins. Flavours are similar to the nose with a little more plum and earthiness. Long finish. Score: 9.25/10

 

  Had this with a herb crusted rack of lamb, with roasted root vegetables and it was an excellent pairing!

San Felice Il Grigio

Il Grigio da San Felice

Azienda Agric San Felice

Tuscany, Italy

2007 - 12.8% - $26.95

 

 After some decanting (about a half hour or so), this wine opens up with a nose of licorice, leather, and some plum notes. On the palate, this wine is earthy with silky tannins. Mid-weight with a long finish. Pair it with a hearty pasta and enjoy! Score: 9.25/10

BBQ Barbera

BBQ Barbera Piemonte DOC

Lifford Wine Agency

Piedmont, Italy

2009 - 13% - $9.95




   As to be expected with a young wine, it is ruby red in colour. On the nose it has sweet red raspberry, plum, and some soft spices. On the palate the fruit notes are less apparent than in the nose with mainly plum and licorice rounding out the flavour profile. Mellow tannins and a nice acidity to balance out this light-medium bodied wine. Score: 8/10

Lionel Osmin & Cie Malbec

Lionel Osmin & Cie Malbec; Ac Cahors

Lionel Osmin & Cie

Languedoc Roussillon, France

2009 - 14%  - $15.95

   Very opaque and purple in colour. A soft nose of plum and minerals. Firm chalky tannins, with a strong flavour of licorice and earth. Medium finish. Score: 7/10

Red House Wine

Red House Cabernet Shiraz VQA

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Niagara Pennisula, Ontario, Canada

2010 - 13% - $12.95

  This ruby red wine shows off it's fruity youth. Strong aromas of red berries, especially cherries. There are subtle hints of oaking, vanilla and some spice notes. On the palate it is a medium body with light but chalky tannins. Medium length, velvety finish. Score: 8/10

Vila Regia

Sogrape Vila Regia

Sogrape

Douro, Portugal

2010 - 12.5% - $7.95

  

   Very pretty simle red with lots of red fruit, particularly strawberries. Slight hint of vanilla on the palate. While I wouldn't suggest it for a heavy meal, for a summer day by the pool... its a good easy drinking red, maybe even serve chilled! Score: 7.5/10



Five Mile Red

Five Mile Red

Coyote's Run Estate Winery

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

2010 - 12.5% - $16.95

   This wine is made from a blend of 4 different grape varieties; 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Merlot, 8% Syrah, and 7% Cabernet Franc. It has an intense nose of cherry and plum, along with a good amount of black pepper. On the palate it has rather firm tannins and a medium+ body. A lot of minerality and earthiness, more so than the plum and pepper the nose suggested. Well balanced, medium finish. Score: 8.5/10