El Coto Crianza Rioja 2013

El Coto Crianza Rioja 2013 

El Coto Crianza Rioja 2013

Dark ruby colorNose of black berriesspicessmokevanilla and oakSilky mouth feel where the oak flavors coats the fruit without any excess. The smoky and spicy notes with the vanilla with garnish the finish. Could get some air in a decanter to help the wine being even more expressive. Good+ (88) 

Made of Tempranillo. Aged 12 months in new Amerian oak barrels, then 6 months before release. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 16,10$ (Code SAQ : 11254188)

El Coto de Rioja’s website: elcoto.com

Sample proposed by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Dark cherry red color. Nose of dark berries, spices, earth and herbal nose all in a fresh way. This got strenght on the palate with a good chewyness, but the silky moutfeel balance all that. Flavors are of the same profile as on the nose, quite enjoyable and helps making you want to pout yourself another glass! To pair with burgers of grilled meat dishes. Good+ (88)

Made of 35% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 15% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 15% Carignan. Aged on lees in concrete tanks. Certified Organic. Alcohol level of 14% 

Available in SAQ stores for 13,25$ (Code SAQ : 00605287)

Represented in Québec by Vins Balthazard: vinsbalthazard.com

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Château La Lieue Coteaux Varois en Provence 2015

Domaine Tetramythos Roditis Patras 2016

Domaine Tetramythos Roditis Patras 2016

Domaine Tetramythos Roditis Patras 2016

Lightly colored. Nose of apricot, lemon, white peach, sea breeze all in a rich yet really fresh way. Same profile on the palate, the richness and mouthfeel paired with the acidity and salty notes are really satisfying. This is quite a good QPR too. Good+ (88)

Made of Roditis. Aged 3 months in tanks. Alcohol level of 12,5% 

Available in SAQ stores for 14,95$ (Code SAQ : 12484575)

Tetramythos Winery’s website: tetramythoswines.com

Oenopole brings in Québec their wines: oenopole.ca

Barone Ricasoli Chianti DOCG 2015

Barone Ricasoli Chianti DOCG 2015

Barone Ricasoli Chianti DOCG 2015

Dark ruby color. Nose of spicy red fruits, it’s inviting and charming, but balanced and shows true Chianti character. Round on the palate with a good acidity level, showing red fruits and spices flavors, this is a wine for food. This well pair well with many dishes, fulfilling your expectations at a very enjoyable price point! Good+ (88)

Made of Sangiovese. Aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 15,55$ (Code SAQ : 13188858)

Barone Ricasoli’s website: baronericasoli.com

Sample proposed by Vins Fins l’Agence: sdvf.ca

For other Barone Ricasoli’s wine tasting notes, look here

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

Lightly colored. Very fresh nose with lemon, sea weed and yellow melon. On the palate it’s a salty feel that opens the way to lemony and herbacious notes. Great acidity level, long and tasty finish. A really good QPR. Good+

Made of 90% Viura and completed by other varietals. Aged on lees in stainless steel tanks. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 13,90$ (Code SAQ : 00883033)

Viña Ijalba’s website: ijalba.com

Ijalba is represented in Québec by Charton Hobbs: chartonhobbs.com

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015 

Dark and purple color. Nose where earthy notes comes first, to let with air dark berry notes, mushrooms and spices show up in a warm and sunny feel. Flavors of black berries, wet earth, warm spices. Long lasting finish where alcohol shows without being disturbing. Good (87)

Made of Pinotage. Aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 14,90$ (Code SAQ : 11379749)

Ken Forrester’S website : kenforresterwines.com

They are represented in Québec by Valmonti : valmonti.net

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Nose of dark berries, spices, earth, enjoyable green notes and red meat, all paired with freshness. Round and chewy on the palate, it still shows its structure that would pair well with grilled meat dishes. The flavors of black berries, spices, earth (no green notes here) leads to a long finish. A good wine really well priced. Good+ (88)

Made of Touriga Nacional, Jaen and Alfrocheiro. Aged 20 months in concrete tanks. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 15,30$ (Code SAQ : 13088030)

Niepoort’s website : niepoort-vinhos.com

They are represented in Québec by Alivin Canada inc. : Alivin Canada sur Facebook

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015 

The bold and rich but drinkable wine lover are not alone. Real deal are not that commonly found too, especially if you seek for quality. May not be the preferred style for those who like light wines, this dark wine with aromas and flavors of ripe black berries, spices, meat notes will charm you without breaking the bank! It makes this wine then a perfect recommadation for the « affordable wine of the week»!

Blend of monastrell and shiraz grapes. Alcohol level of 14% 

Available in SAQ stores for 11,90$ (Code SAQ : 12990152)

Bodegas Juan Gil’s website: bodegasjuangil.com

They are represented in Québec by Vins Balthazard: vinsbalthazard.com

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Ruby color with purple hue. Nose of dark berries, spices, earth, just a little oak showing, it’s charming and quite rich. About the same on the palate, the mouthfeel is round, plumpy, tasty and have a good lasting finish. It does show some structure, but there’s the fruit to make it quite enjoyable. A great addition to the current offer from Ijalba. Good+ (88)

Made of 90% tempranillo and 10% maturana tinta. Aged 6 months in 1-2 wines American oak barrels. Organic certified farming. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 15,05$ (Code SAQ : 13004449)

Vina Ijalba’s website: ijalba.com

They are represented in Québec by Charton Hobbs: chartonhobbs.com

Podere Castorani Scià Puglia IGT 2014

Podere Castorani Scià Puglia IGT 2014

Podere Castorani Scià Puglia IGT 2014

Dark ruby color. Nose of dark berries, spices, earth and dried flowers. Silky on the palate with fruit flavors, spices note, drinks quite easily and is very enjoyable, especially for its price! Good (87)

Made of sangiovese. Alcohol level of 13%

Available at the SAQ for 12,15$ (Code SAQ : 10966765)

Podere Castorani’s website: poderecastorani.it

Sample proposed by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com