LAN Crianza Rioja 2010

The LAN Crianza is a Spanish wine made with Tempranillo grapes.  This fruit is black, native to Spain and known to create full-bodied wines.

This wine was aged in French and American Oak in order to produce a balanced, flavorful wine.

Wine: LAN Crianza Rioja
Location: Spain
Sugar content: 5g/L
Price: $15.95
Vintages number: 166538

This wine is a dark ruby colour.  The odour is a mild spiced plum.  The flavour is much the same although I would describe it as spiced cherry as opposed to the plum bouquet. The flavours are nice but possibly over-powered slightly by the astringency.  This does not linger however and it has a mild, pleasant finish.

While this wine does not contain the full fruit flavours I prefer, and despite the slight astringency, it is a pleasant wine. It will not make my regular rotation but it's not bad.

Recommendation:  Uncork
Rating:  7.5 out of 10

Ezimit Merlot

Our latest tasting is the Ezimit Merlot from Macedonia. In the communist era, Macedonia produced a lot of wine and was responsible for about 67% of wine production in the former Yugoslavia. Post-communism, wine production decreased by about 75%.

Macedonia largely produces red wines (Accounting for 80% of production) and includes numerous varieties including the Vranac, Kratosija, Cabernet and Merlot.  It also has a domestic variety called Stanušina Crna which is relatively unknown outside of Macedonia.

Wine: Ezimit Merlot

Location: Macedonia

Sugar content: 10g/L

Alcohol: 13%

Price: $7.95

Vintages number: 261560

This Macedonian Merlot is a ruby red colour. It has an aroma of currants and slight vanilla. The flavours are mild plum and cherry.  It is smooth and balanced with a nice finish. There is no bitter or unpleasant aftertaste. Although the flavours are mild, this is a very refreshing young wine that is quite enjoyable. At only $7.95 a bottle, it is a wine I expect to enjoy with meals all summer long.  It is probably the best bargain brand I have tried.  I will gladly drink this wine again.

Recommendation:  Uncork

Rating:  8 out of 10

Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon

The Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine from the Thracian lowlands of southern Bulgaria. This Eastern European country was the world's second largest producer of wine in the 1980's but the industry collapsed after the fall of communism.  It is now starting to grow again at about 5% annually.

Wine:  Domaine Boyar, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Location:  Bulgaria
Sugar Content:  7g/L
Alcohol:  13%
Price: $7.95
Vintages number: 340851

This deep purple wine smells of plum and spice.  I describe it as a young, medium-bodied wine with flavours including mild plum and slight spice. It is smooth with a slight astringency on the finish.

This wine is not going to win any awards.  It is young and simple but as the least expensive wine I have been able to purchase at the LCBO it is pleasant and quite drinkable. For cost conscious consumers who simply want an inexpensive wine with a steak at home, you could do worse.

Recommendation:  Uncork
Rating:  7 out of 10

Angels Gate Gamay Noir 2013

The Angels Gate Gamay Noir is a wine from the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada.  This is the largest wine region in Canada. It is at the same latitude as southern France and has a unique micro-climate created by Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment which makes it a good region for growing tender fruit.

Wine:  Angels Gate Gamay Noir 2013
Location:  Beamsville, Ontario Canada
Sugar content: 4g/L
Alcohol:  13%
Price: $13.95
Vintages number: 107714

This a clear pale red wine with an aroma of sweet cherry.  The first taste is a mild, sweet berry, a flavor I enjoy in Gamay/Beaujolais wines.  Unfortunately it finishes with a slight, bitter astringency. It is similar to the finish of some of the ultra dry wines I have reviewed previously.

Apparently the astringency is caused by the tannins in the grape skins.  Some astringency is better than others and this astringency does not work for me.  Keep in mind, I am not a connoisseur and you may like it.  For more information about astringency and bitterness I will refer you to The Wine Guy blog.

Overall, I find this to be a pleasant, enjoyable wine with a slightly unsatisfactory finish. While I will probably not buy this wine again, I would drink it again if you are buying.

Recommendation:  Uncork
Rating:  7.5 out of 10

Radio Boka Tempranillo 2013

An update to this review.  The 2013 is far superior to the 2014.  I would rate the 2014 only a 7 to 7.5.  Get the 2013 if you can.

The Radio Boka is a wine from Valencia Spain made with Tempranillo grapes.  This grape, native to Spain, is black and makes full-bodied wines.

Wine:  Radio Boka Tempranillo
Location: Valencia, Spain
Sugar content: 16 g/L
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $10.95
Vintages number: 376145

This wine is a medium, ruby red wine with a floral bouquet.  This wine reminds me of Beaujolais I like.  It is fruity with notes of strawberry and black cherry.  Smooth with a pleasant fruity finish.  This wine is right in my wheel house.  I will gladly drink this wine again.

***After enjoying this wine a second time, I increased the rating from 8.5 to 9.0.  I liked it that much and maybe you will too.

Recommendation:  Uncork
Rating:                   9.0 out of 10

Peljesac Plavac Mali

After a brief break I'm back with an offering from Croatian. It is made with the Plavac Mali grape, a cross of Crljenak Kaštelanski and Dobričić grapes, ancient varieties. According to wikipedia these grapes are the main red grown along the Dalmatian coast.  The grapes are known to produce wine high in alcohol content and tannins although this offering is only 11.9% alcohol.
Wine: Peljesac Plavac Mali
Location: Croatia
Sugar Content: 12g/L
Alcohol: 11.9%
Price: $11.95
Vintages Number: 983494

The wine is a light, clear red colour with a bouquet of black cherries.  Upon first tasting I can tell that this will not be my favourite wine.  It is high in sugar content and tannins and light on flavour. Light cherry an floral notes with a slightly sour finish. The flavours are not offensive, simply mild and not to my flavour palate. This is a wine I will not be adding to my regular rotation.

Recommendation:  Cork

Rating:  6.5 out of 10

Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013

The last time it was Australia, now we're headed to New Zealand for a pinot noir.  While I like medium-bodied beaujolais, I am not that fond of mild wines so please judge my review accordingly. If you are a fan of pinot noir then you will probably feel much differently about this wine than I do.

Wine: Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013
Location: New Zealand
Sugar Content: 6g/L
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $19.95
Vintages Number: 54353

It is described as a medium-bodied wine but it is a rather mild offering in my opinion.  Low acidity, and mild pleasant flavors make this wine drinkable.  Slight berry and chalk are most noticeable.  What I have discovered in my personal wine education is that I should steer clear of pinot noir wines.  I usually don't mind them and they are very drinkable but they lack the stronger flavors and personality I enjoy. If you like mild wines of this variety then you will enjoy it more than I did.  It reminds me of the Greek St. George I reviewed earlier but with better flavors. A pinot noir at this price is not one I will buy again...but you might.

Recommendation:  Uncork if you like pinot noir
Rating: 7 out of 10