Fantini Numero Uno Primitivo 2020
Fantini Numero Uno Primitivo 2020 Fantini Numero Uno Primitivo 2020
Fantini Numero Uno Primitivo 2020
Price: $10.03
Tastes Like:
Blackberry, Smoke, Black Grape
Chuck’s Take
Well, it just wasn’t the diamond in the rough I hoped it would be. Especially from the makers of one of my value house reds
If you want to know what ‘flabby’ means in the world of wine, this is a good example. Why? The acidity and tannins are so low the wine is thrown off balance. Lacking any structure.
This wine was featured in Episode 008 Getting the most out of inexpensive wine: Decant It of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2019
Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2019 Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2019
Umani Ronchi Rosso Conero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2019
Price: $19.99
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Oak, Violet, Raisin
Serve With:
Pizza, Antipasto
Chuck’s Take
I nice benchmark of this varietal ( Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ). Medium-full body, medium oak tannins, high acidity. Classic Italian old world style and flavour.
Thanks to Heather for sending us this bottle all the way from PEI! It was enjoyed on a Saturday night with home made pizza.
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Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2019 DOC Organic
Price: $9.95
Tastes Like:
Plum, Dark Cherry, Oak, Licorice
Serve With:
Anything Italian
Chuck’s Take
It’s your classic Old World Italian weekday table wine. Perfect to have with your stereotypical spaghetti and meatballs on a Tuesday night in good o’l North America.
Medium body, dry, grippy tannins that make your gums feel nice and dry. Something that reminds me of some pretty expensive Barolos I’ve had in the past.
This wine was featured on Episode 6: Counter, Fridge, or Freezer – What’s the best way to save leftover wine? of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Cassis, Cherry, Plum
Serve With:
Grilled Meat, BBQ Ribs, Beef Stroganoff
Sean’s Take
This California Cab really has a little bit of everything that makes for a great (new world) Cabernet Sauvignon. Cassis, plum, ripe berries, some smoke, and vanilla. Big, chewy, and bold.
It’s a touch sweeter than my usual top picks, but this is likely what makes this wine so appealing to so many people. While this is a wine produced at scale, it has been nearly perfectly executed.
This wine was featured on Episode 6: Counter, Fridge, or Freezer – What’s the best way to save leftover wine? of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018 Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Sister’s Run Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2018
Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Raspberry, Strawberry, Oak, Light Pepper
Serve With:
Steak and Shrimp on the Barbie
Chuck’s Take
Light-medium body. Kind of a like a lighter Shiraz in flavour and body. Slightly drier too. It’s really nice! Not terribly available but maybe next year in your vintages section, if you see it, try it!
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Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019
Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019 Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019
Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2019
Price: $12.95
Tastes Like:
Dark Raspberry, Strawberry, Baking Spice, Vanilla
Serve With:
Lasagna
Chuck’s Take
Medium-light body with a long spicy oak finish that needs a little time in the glass to open up a little. If I had this one again, I’d try decanting it.
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Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Fresco Di Masi Rosso Vegan Organic Red Blend
Price: $18.95
Tastes Like:
Red Cherry, Strawberry, Pomegranate
Serve With:
Antipasto, Charcuterie Board, Cheese
Chuck’s Take
Here you have a nice light bodied dry red that’s made without oak barrels to mix it up a little. It’s a blend of Corvina and Merlot grape varietals. Fresco in Italian means fresh and this wine really tastes fresh! Here’s why:
The grapes are harvested at the coolest time of the day and immediately pressed and made into wine. It’s fermented only with the natural yeasts found on the grape skins, decanted and then bottled unfiltered (it’s quite clear and had no sediment).
This wine is Organic
This wine is Vegan (they didn’t use animal based clarifiers)
This wine is sustainable (ultra light glass and recycled paper labels)
This wine is featured on The Wine Podcast for Everyone – Episode 5 Do you drink Red or White with that?
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Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020 Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Cono Sur Vegan Organic Pinot Noir 2020
Price: $14.05
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Black Cherry, Plum
Serve With:
Steak & Eggs, Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Eggplant
Sean’s Take
Pinot Noir is a great alternative to bigger bold wines that can steal the show. I got the cherry flavours I was expecting and overall enjoyed this Pinot. A bit of ripe fruit or jam was missing which cost it the 4th star.
This wine is featured on The Wine Podcast for Everyone – Episode 5 Do you drink Red or White with that?
I really liked another Pinot from Cono Sur which I gave 4/5 stars and costs a couple of dollars less.
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Bodacious Smooth Red
Bodacious Smooth Red Bodacious Smooth Red
Bodacious Smooth Red
Price: $3.95
Tastes Like:
Plum, Blackberry, Black Cherry
Serve With:
Asian cuisine, Baked Brie, BBQ Ribs
Sean’s Take
Wine in a can? It can’t be good. Well, much to my surprise it is good. Medium sweet, bursting with ripe dark berry flavours this wine is very easy to drink. The wine is what I like to call “polite” because it has no unusual flavours, nice sweetness, and lower alcohol. This is a 250ml can which is a third of a regular size bottle. The full-size 750ml bottle goes for around $10.00. I was introduced to this wine by my good friend Joanna who assured me she had found a good boxed wine – and she was right.
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Château de Ribebon 2017
Château de Ribebon 2017 Château de Ribebon 2017
Château de Ribebon 2017
Price: $15.95
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Oak, Plum, Violet, Earthy
Serve With:
Charcuterie
Chuck’s Take
Light to medium body that’s extra dry on the palate with medium firm tannins. The wine review on the LCBO (wine store page) by James Suckling was written Jan-2020 (almost 2 years ago). I’d consider it out of date, so disregard it and (only) listen to what I say.
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La Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
La Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 La Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
La Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $13.95
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Alcohol
Sean’s Take
We don’t come across many wines from Mexico, and there might be a good reason for that. This wine features cherry as the predominant flavour and that’s about it. The tannins are hard and the alcohol is hot making for a “not great” mouth feel. This kind of wine certainly appeals to some people but I can point you towards more pleasing wines for $13.95 or less.
Pro tip: The label talks about Cabernet Sauvignon in general but says nothing about this particular bottle of wine. Red flag.
This wine was featured on Episode 2 of The Wine Podcast for Everyone
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El Abuelo Organic Tempranillo Monastrell 2020
El Abuelo Organic Tempranillo Monastrell 2020 El Abuelo Organic Tempranillo Monastrell 2020
El Abuelo Organic Tempranillo Monastrell 2020
Price: $10.45
Tastes Like:
Blackberry, Leather, Cedar, Light Smoke
Serve With:
Red Meat
Chuck’s Take
Extra dry with a full to medium body. The flavours are a bit muted and muddled. On the finish your tongue will be left bone-dry from the oak tannins. Not bad overall, but also not seeking it out again terribly soon.