Showing posts with label tempranillo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tempranillo. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedSunday, July 9, 2017

Montecillo Crianza 2011 (Rioja) and Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Reviews



Wines for Summer Drinking
As we begin enjoying the hot summer weather, here are a couple of affordable wines that should quench your thirst. The first is a Pinot Grigio and is usually a crowd favourite, while the Crianza is a savoury red wine made with Tempranillo that will be suitable for your backyard BBQ party. Both of these wines are widely available at the LCBO.

If you're heading outdoors, you can pack your wines (and food items) in a cooler bag so they stay nice and cool. You'll also want to remember to pack plastic wine glasses because you don't want to risk breaking your expensive stemware. And lastly, you'll want to pick up a set of DrinkGuards - these are non-slip silicone drink covers that keep bugs and debris out of your glass, which also doubles as a drink marker and even a coaster!

Tasting Notes:

LAMBERTI SANTEPIETRE PINOT GRIGIO DELLE VENEZIE 2015 - IGT, Veneto, Italy (#560524) (XD) - $12.10
Screw cap. Clean, fresh lemon and citrus aromas of medium+ intensity with a hint of white flowers from the glass. Some earthy/musky notes arrive as it warms up. The palate is fleshy, medium-bodied and dry with lemony white floral, and herbally flavours. It has balanced acidity, with good finish length that has touches of minerality. Easy going wine to enjoy on the patio. Score: 87 pts

Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2015 (87 pts)

MONTECILLO CRIANZA 2011 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#144493) (XD) - $14.95
Sweet oak spice and black plum aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose from glass, showing sandalwood, oak spice, cherry, raspberry, earth, forest floor, and barnyard aromas all mingling nicely. The palate is medium+ bodied with good fruit concentration, tannins a touch drying, and more savoury earthy, dark cherry, forest floor, barnyard, and oak flavours. It has juicy acids, some heat on the mid-palate, while the finish length is very good with more savoury earthy, forest floor and barnyard notes. A savoury wine ideal for the BBQ. Drink over the next 2 years. Score: 88 pts

Montecillo Crianza 2011 (88 pts)


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  • Date publishedSunday, November 13, 2016

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2014 (Spain) - Wine Review

wine is a red wine that will be available in LCBO VINTAGES on .

Having enjoyed the 2012 Montebuena Cuvée KPF that showed up in VINTAGES in , I am expecting the 2014 to be equally as good as (or better than) the 2012 vintage to due a harvest that improved in quality.

It is produced by Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida, a winery that is part of the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida co-operative. This co-op was formed in the 1960s and is now the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million litres.

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95
100% Tempranillo that was hand-harvested from the Montebuena vineyard. The 2012 was bottled under cork, but this vintage is now under screw cap. Nicely appealing mulberry, sweet herbs, freshly tilled earth and red fruit aromas of medium intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with nice aroma replays. Acids are juicy and tannins are ripe and smooth. Forest floor notes linger on the finish. Delicious wine to drink over the next 2 years. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, December 28, 2015

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Vertical Wine Tasting

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Vertical Wine Tasting
Back in , I was invited to a very nice vertical tasting of Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva wines dating back to 1982.

These red wines are produced by Bodegas Franco-Españolas, a winery that was founded in 1890 in Logrono, Spain, in the aftermath of the French wine industry's most devastating incidents - the phylloxera plague. Bordeaux winemakers affected by the plague departed for Spain in search of the country's best soil and climate to continue their winemaking traditions. From the Bordeaux firm "Anglade", Frederick Anglade Saurat and other Spanish partners founded Bodegas Franco-Españolas. The winery name translates in English to "French Spanish Wineries". By 1922, the winery became entirely Spanish-owned. Today, it is owned by Carlos and Rosa Eguizabal, the second generation of the Eguizabal family that has owned the winery.

At Bodegas Franco-Españolas, the philosophy is to age all of its wines longer than legally required. For example, the Gran Reservas are barrel aged for 36 months instead of the minimum legal requirement of 24 months. Furthermore, all barrel ageing at Bodegas Franco-Españolas is done in American oak.

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Vertical Wine Tasting
The winery and its vines are located in a long valley in the Northern-Central part of Spain with a very special micro-climate defined by mountain chains to the north and south, and the Ebro River that runs between the two mountain ranges. Bodegas Franco-Españolas farms nearly 600 acres of vineyards while also collaborating with local farmers in Rioja.

It's interesting to note that Oenologist Carlos Estecha began working with the Eguizabal Group of Companies since 1988 and continues to this day - that's 27 years!

Today, Bodegas Franco-Españolas is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain and in 2015 celebrated its 125th Anniversary.

Thank you Eurovintage Wines & Spirits for the opportunity to taste these lovely wines. The latest vintage of the Gran Reserva is widely available at the LCBO, while the Reserva and back vintage Gran Reserva wines may be available for purchase through the agent. Please contact Eurovintage for availability.

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 1982 to 2006

Tasting Notes:

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1982 - DO Rioja, Spain (XD)
Blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan). Medium+ intensity nose showing great complexity with rustic, earthy, tobacco, burnt caramel, old leather, blackberry and some dried herbs aromas. The palate is light-to-medium bodied with tannins fully resolved and flavours consisting of sour cherry and earth notes. Balanced acidity. It's a touch warm with dried herb notes on and the very long finish. Still very well-balanced at this mature age. Drink soon. Interesting to note that the empty bottle was extremely light. Score: 91 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 1982 - DO Rioja, Spain (91 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1985 - DO Rioja, Spain (XD)
Blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) and Graciano. Medium+ intensity aromas of toasty smoke, wood, dark currant, dark cherry, mulling spice and some raisined notes. Medium bodied on the palate with herbal, coriander, dark fruits and some olive flavours. It has good acidity and a lengthy finish. Will continue to drink well for a number of years. Score: 89 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 1985 - DO Rioja, Spain (89 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1994 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (XD)
Consisting of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo, this has medium-to-high aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, leather, forest floor and well-integrated oak. On the palate, it's medium+ bodied with a chalky spine, fresh acidity and very nice aroma replays. The finish is very long with hints of raspberry. Excellent balance overall. Good tannic structure will allow it to age another 7-8 years. One of my favourites of the tasting. A delight! Score: 91 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 1994 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (91 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 1995 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (XD)
Same blend as the 1994, this has medium+ intensity aromas of blackberry, earth, raspberry, spice and vanilla. It's medium-to-full bodied with a chalky spine and very good acidity. The aromas echo on the palate along with sour cherry and oak flavours. A touch warm on the lingering finish. Still has life. Score: 89 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 1995 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (89 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2001 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (XD) - $22.95
Blend of 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazuelo and 2% Graciano. Medium-to-high aromatics with oak notes leading the way followed by dark berries and floral hints. It's full-bodied with nicely balanced flavours of herbal, eucalypt, blackberry, sandalwood, and spice on the palate. Mouth-watering acidity and a very long finish that is slightly hot, but fruit holds it up well. Nicely balanced with plenty of finesse. Drink over the next 10-15 years. My favourite of the tasting. Score: 91 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 2001 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (91 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (D) - $22.95
Consisting of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, and 10% Graciano, this has a somewhat closed nose but shows ripe fruit, blackberry, sweet vanilla, barnyard and some blue fruit aromas. It's medium-to-full bodied with nice aroma replays, bright acidity and finishing long. Big, full-throttle wine. Doesn't seem to have matured much over the last 10 years. Lay this one down for 5 years and drink over the next 10-15 years. Score: 90 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (90 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2006 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#428060) (XD) - $22.95
Blend of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano and features medium+ intensity aromas of pached raspberry, kirsch, blackberry liquer, sandalwood and some earth. It's medium-to-full bodied with aromas echoing on the palate and a chalky spine. Acids are mouth-watering, while the finish is long and warm with floral hints. Will age gracefully for 10 years or more. Score: 91 pts

Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 2006 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (91 pts)

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2007 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
Barnyard, earth, mushroom and sandalwood aromas from the glass. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with bright acidity with blackberry and sandalwood flavours. Chalky tannins. Excellent length on the finish. Better in 4-5 years. Score: 90+ pts

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
The nose somewhat reserved but shows pleasing raspberry, blackberry, sandalwood notes with an earthy streak. It's medium-bodied with nice aroma replays. Still a bit tight, but has juicy acids and a medium-long finish. Score: 89 pts

RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#194753) (XD) - $19.95
Medium+ intensity nose led by smoky oak notes with underlying raspberry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, it's medium+ bodied dark and red cherry, blackberry, and subtle oak flavours. It has very good acidity, while the tannins are still very tight, and finish length is medium-to-long. Cellar 2-3 years or decant and serve now. Score: 88 pts

Rioja Bordón Reserva 2007 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (90+ pts)Rioja Bordón Reserva 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (89 pts)Rioja Bordón Reserva 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (88 pts)


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  • Date publishedSaturday, May 30, 2015

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine is another sneak preview of a wine that will be returning to LCBO VINTAGES on June 13th.

The wine is made by Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida as part of the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida co-operative that was formed in the mid-1960's. As can be expected, the co-operative has gone through a number of enhancements to its facilities since then, including using modern equipment such as stainless steel tanks, a cooling unit for regulating fermentation temperatures, and a new bottling plant.

Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from the Montebuena estate vineyard, with vines averaging 25 years of age. This wine saw light oak ageing of 4 months in American oak. It will be enjoyed with Gosht (lamb curry) and fulia.

Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2012 from DOC Rioja, Spain (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2012 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $15.95
100% Tempranillo. Prune and cedar oak aromas from the cork. Black cherry, mulberry surrounded by forest floor and earthy aromas of medium intensity. The palate is medium bodied with silky, refined tannins and balanced acidity. Good complexity on the palate with flavours of black cherry, resin, light oak spice and pepper that linger through to the long finish, which also has hints of mocha. Enjoy over the next couple of years. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, December 16, 2014

Miguel Torres Ibéricos Crianza 2010 (Spain) - Wine Review

Somehow I missed posting this red wine review of a bottle I opened a . The 2011 vintage of this wine was released in VINTAGES in September and is still quite readily available in stores.

MIGUEL TORRES IBÉRICOS CRIANZA 2010 - DOC Rioja, Spain (#381046) (XD) - $16.95

Wine Review of 2010 Miguel Torres Ibéricos Crianza from DOC Rioja, Spain
Tasting Note:
100% Tempranillo. Woodsy, cedar and currant aromas from the cork. Medium-intensity aromas featuring sour cherry, wet earth, berry, and sweet spice aromas with much of the same, fruit-forward flavours on the palate. It's medium-bodied and dry with fresh acids and ripe tannins. Balanced oak is definitely in the background. Decent length on the finish that shows hints of prune. Easy drinking, well-made, weekday wine. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedSunday, November 23, 2014

Hermanos Lurton Tempranillo 2011 (Spain) - Wine Review

Opened this juicy, red wine last night. It's from the Toro region of Spain, located in the northwestern part of country and is a General List product and readily available at the LCBO.

HERMANOS LURTON TEMPRANILLO 2011 - DO Toro, Spain (#372342) (D) - $16.90

Wine Review of 2011 Hermanos Lurton Tempranillo from DO Toro, Spain
Tasting Note:
Woodsy and vanilla aromas from the cork. Cherry, bitter chocolate, dark currant and hints of cola as it warms up in the glass. Medium-bodied with firm tannic structure and mild oak spice along with dark cherry, cola, and currant notes. Juicy palate with fresh, vibrant acids and a dry, medium-long finish. 15% alc/vol is hidden well. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, November 8, 2014

Herederos Del Marqués de Riscal (Spain) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wines are a pair of Spanish wines from Marqués de Riscal. Founded in 1858, Marques de Riscal is one of the oldest wineries in all of Rioja. Their first wines were bottled four years later, in 1862, and won numerous awards over the years. Fast forward to 1972, when Marqués de Riscal produced their first white wines in Rueda. This winery continued it's innovative and pioneering ways in 1995 when they introduced the very first grape sorting table within the Rioja appellation. And most recently, it was awarded Best European Winery in 2013 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Wine labels of Marqués de Riscal wines

As you will see from my wine review below, both of these wines are delicious. Furthermore, both of these wines are general listed at the LCBO and readily available.


Tasting Notes:
MARQUÉS DE RISCAL 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (#036822) (XD) - $12.55
Screw cap. 100% Verdejo. Medium-high aromatics showing lovely floral, herbal nose, with a backdrop of earth, and hints of guava and banana. Very complex nose. Palate is medium+ bodied with herbal, white grapefruit, passion fruit and hints of tropical fruit. Fresh acids are nicely balanced, while the dry finish is very good. Excellent value! Get the 2013 while it's still available. Score: 88+ pts

Wine review of 2013 Marqués de Riscal from DO Rueda, Spain

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL RESERVA 2008 - DOC Rioja, Spain (#032656) (XD) - $24.65
Mostly Tempranillo with 7% Graciano and 3% Mazuelo (Carignan). Plum and old, wet wood aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity aromas featuring dried fruit, cedar, blackberry, plums and hints of underbrush. It's medium-bodied with an earthy core surrounded by notions of black cherry, blackberry, dried fruits, and herbally notes. Acids are still very fresh. Tannins are slightly dusty, but otherwise very smooth. Excellent length on the cherry-earthy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Wine review of 2008 Marqués de Riscal Reserva from DOC Rioja, Spain


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  • Date publishedFriday, July 4, 2014

Radio Boka Tempranillo 2012 (Spain) - Wine Review

This red wine was recently released into the LCBO General List. I received this wine sample last week and opened it up last night. It is made using 100% Tempranillo from 12-25 year old vines, and was partially aged in French oak.

RADIO BOKA TEMPRANILLO 2012 - DO Valencia, Spain (#376145) (D) - $11.00

Wine Review of 2012 Radio Boka Tempranillo from DO Valencia, Spain
Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Medium+ intensity nose with aromas of deli meats, cherry, strawberry and hints of milk chocolate. Full bodied with big, plumpy tannins. Plum, dark cherry, pruney and hint of cassis flavour profile. Green pepper notes develop with time. Slightly sweet, with good acids and a medium-long, slightly warm finish. Pretty good for $11. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, September 7, 2013

Bodegas Valdemar Inspiración Valdemar 2005 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine from a Vintages release back in May of 2010 and obviously no longer available for purchase. However, the 2008 came out in Vintages in last March and is still available in select Vintages stores.

BODEGAS VALDEMAR INSPIRACIÓN VALDEMAR 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#166512) (XD) - $19.95

Label of 2005 Bodegas Valdemar Inspiración Valdemar from Rioja, Spain
Tasting Note:
Blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Oak and baked prune aromas from the cork. Leather, earth, barnyard, prune and burnt dark fruit aromas in the glass. Full bodied with dark fruit, wood spice, and hints of prune and espresso on the palate. Big tannins are chalky. Very good acidity. Lengthy finish is spicy. Could be aged another 3-4 years. It's good, but was expecting more. Wouldn't hesitate to taste the 2008 or future vintages.


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  • Date publishedFriday, February 8, 2013

Don Jacobo Reserva 2004 (Spain) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine last month from the Vintages release that featured Spanish Wines. One of the good things about this wine is that all the ageing was done at the winery before being released, and it's drinking great right now! It's made using 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha / Mazuelo (Carignan) and bottled in 2008.

DON JACOBO RESERVA 2004 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#313270) (XD) - $17.95

Don Jacobo Reserva 2004 from Spain
Tasting Note:
Interesting aromas of freshly cut wood, rubber and menthol from the cork. Lots of little hints of cranberry, sour cherry, pomegranate and violets. Medium-full bodied with finely-grained and dusty tannins on the palate with nice aroma replays plus hints of cocoa. Very good acidity and balanced throughout, while finishing long with integrated oak flavours. Even though it's already 9 years old and drinking well now, it could be aged another 2-3 years. Will be enjoying this with Piri-Piri Chicken Fajitas. It's a good one and definitely recommended if you like Tempranillo.


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  • Date publishedMonday, August 1, 2011

2008 Zuccardi Q Tempranillo (Argentina) - Wine Review

Last night's wine was purchased from the June 25 Vintages Release, which had a major focus on wines from Argentina.

ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2008 - Santa Rosa Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina (#973503) - $19.95


Tasting Note:
Made with grapes from 40 year-old vines. Aromas of red berries, blackberry join the flavour profile with lots of pepper/spice, and a touch of cola. Letting the wine breathe in glass relieves some of the spiciness. Chewy tannins will reward ageing another 1-2 years. This is definitely a good wine for the BBQ. I enjoyed this wine with chicken shish kebabs and wings prepared over a charcoal BBQ.


  • Date publishedSunday, February 6, 2011

Review: Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain

Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#976910) - $14.95

Purchased this one back in 2007 and let it age in the basement. (It's not available at the LCBO anymore.)

Tasting Note:
Smoky blackberry, plum and black licorice aromas which follow through on the palate. Also notes of crushed red berries and leather. Spicy finish. Light- to medium-bodied and ripe. Definitely ready to drink now.

I'm not much a North American football fan, but I am enjoying this one on Super Bowl Sunday with some vegetable spring rolls, shrimp spring roll and jerk-style wings. Yummy.


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