Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2019 (Lodi) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Old Vines Zinfandel from Lodi that arrived at the LCBO last summer as part of the "American Idyll" theme in the July 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, with a few bottles at select LCBO outlets still available for purchase today.It is produced by Four Vines, a highly-regarded California Zinfandel and Chardonnay wine producer...

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Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, crowd-pleasing, and certified sustainable Cabernet Sauvignon (with a splash of Petite Sirah) that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the December 16 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.It is produced by Imagery Estate Winery, a sister of Benziger Family Winery. Imagery was forged from a thirst for experimentation and is dedicated...

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Michael David Freakshow Red 2020 (Lodi) - Wine Review

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of tasting the 2018 Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon, while tonight's red wine review is another wine from the Freakshow lineup that arrived at the LCBO earlier this summer in the June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.It is produced by Michael David Winery, a well-known and respected family-run winery that was founded...

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Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2018 and Red Label Zinfandel 2019 (California) - Wine Reviews

For Father's Day, tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of delicious red wines from California that are arriving at the LCBO in next weekend's June 24 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.These wines are produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Famous for their name in cinema, the Coppola family purchased the historic Chateau Souverain property in Sonoma County in 2006 so...

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Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Petite Sirah, a distinct variety not to be confused with Syrah, from Napa Valley that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the January 7th LCBO VINTAGES Release.Established in 1893, Stags' Leap Winery is one of California's oldest wine estates. Their 240-acre property is situated on the watershed of the Stags Leap Palisades,...

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Emerging California Master Class (Apr. 2022)

Last month was California Wine Month and one afternoon in April I had the pleasure of attending a virtual zoom Master Class on "Emerging California". This master class was put on by California Wines and led by leading wine critic, journalist, and educator Elaine Chukan Brown.Winegrowing activities in California began in the mid-1800's. Since that time, California has emerged...

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Coppola Rosso & Bianco Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (California) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend last month, tonight's wine review is another California red wine blend from the same producer. While this bottle is the 2018 vintage, it is the 2019 vintage that is coming to the LCBO this weekend as part of the February 19th LCBO VINTAGES Release as a new arrival.Following many years of success in the...

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Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend 2018 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this delicious blend from California that is featured on the cover of the January 22nd LCBO VINTAGES Release and arrives on shelves across Ontario for the first time this Saturday.It is produced by Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a name famous in the world of cinema, but also quite popular in the world of wine. In 2006, the Coppola family purchased...

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Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious California Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lodi Appellation. The Freakshow is a frequent visitor to the LCBO and the latest vintage arrived in Ontario today as part of the March 6, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release.It is produced by Michael David Winery, a family-run producer that has long and deep roots in Lodi - a wine region that sits east of San...

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Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise 2017 (California) - Wine Review

Want something for your Halloween party? You might want to look at tonight's red wine review that is sure to please your guests with it's Halloween-themed label. It just arrived at the LCBO and is widely available across Ontario, just in time for Halloween festivities. It is produced by Chronic Cellars, a California winery that came together in 2004 when brothers Josh and...

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Napa Valley Tasting - June 2014

On June 16th, I visited Napa Valley for the second time in the last 2 years. After visiting quite a few wineries along the Silverado Trail during my first visit, I decided that I wanted to visit more wineries off the trail this time around. The first stop on this hot and sunny Monday was The Hess Collection Winery, located within the Mount Veeder sub-appellation within...

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