Red Wine Recommendations - $50 range

[Finnegan]

Any suggestions for a nice full bodied red wine for around $50 at the LCBO? Pairing it with my famous aged BBQ rib steaks

[jayt90]

There is a big leathery 2001 Chateauneuf de Papes Bosquet de Papes, $46, at Crossroads.

There are only 4 left, so an alternative is the2003 Bosquet de Papes, $55 at several stores.

[jilsauer]

Delectus Petite Syrah Excellent!

[Finnegan]

Went with the CERETTO BAROLO ZONCHERA 2001 ($42)...not bad but probably could have used another year or two...

[hhost.ca]

If you are going with Zinfandel I highly recommend the Grgich Hills Zinfandel.

[wordsworth]

Ding Ding Ding. Grgich Hills is great. I've been to the winery many times a spoken with old Mike Grgich while he was still around. They make only premiums wine. It's the best stop in Napa Valley.

BTW. The best deal at the LCBO is Rosenblum's $20 zinfandel.

[ChefJune]

Don't know what you pay in Toronto for Brunellos, but that's what came to my mind.

[bogie]

I don't know if Vintages currently has them in stock, but I recommend any and all Renwood zinfandels. (I'm partial to Amador County zins such as Folie a Deux, but very hard to find here).

[vinojoe]

I would recommend:
SAN FELICE VIGORELLO 2001
Italy VINTAGES 726463 | 750 mL | $ 54.00.
This is a good medium to full bodied Sangiovese 60% and Cabernet Sauvignon 40% blend wine from Tuscany. Excellent vintage. You can find which LCBO stores carry it here:
http://www.lcbo.com/products/products...

Salute

[courgette]

I'm with the Zin camp. You cannot go wrong with a Ravenswood Zin. The Vintner's Blend won't embarrass you, but do try to go for the O.V.s if you can find them.

[estufarian]

I'm in the Amarone camp too.
Or as a cheaper alternative, any Ripasso Valpolicella.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

Oh, god I avoid Ripassos at all costs...

[moma]

I suggest Belcore 2001 IGT red tuscan wine 80% sangiovese and 20% merlot from I Giusti & Zanza Vigneti estate, Fauglia, Pisa you can visit www.igiustiezanza.it

[Matt416]

Clos des los Siete 2005. This is a Bordeaux style blend based on the Malbec grape made by Michelle Roland ( a very famous bordeaux wine consultant) in Argentina. The wine blew me away in blind tastings and is only $25 @the LCBO. The wine has a considerable tannic structure that calls for a fatty steak such as the Rib.

On a side note: Although Amarone's are very big, they tend to have very high toned acid and fruit characteristics, are sometimes slightly off-dry, and quite raisin-y. More of a good pair with game meats and fruit sauces then a grilled or bar-b-q'ed steak.

[pinstripeprincess]

that's kind of what i was thinking... amarones are lovely but not quite a bbq steak match. if anything, i think a good solid zin would be great. i unfortunately can't suggest a specific one as i haven't broken out of the $40 price range for lcbo wines yet.

[TorontoJo]

The Ravenswood zins out of California are excellent. Range from $25 - $75. Talk to the Vintages consultant for the differences.

[Matt416]

If you wanted a well structured Zin in that price range I would look for any of the Ridge Bottlings (Geyserville, Lytton Springs, etc). Ridge wines tend to have a little more acid and tanninic structure (this makes them much better with food) than the more fruit oriented Ravenswood and Rosenbloom Zins.

[jcanncuk]

I second that rec. whole heartedly. I have never been disappointed by a Ridge Zin.

[orangewasabi]

lovin' Barolos and Amarones. but if you're looking for rich red at a lower price point, check out the Cote du Rhones. We've had many of the ones in the $35-40ish price range at the LCBO and they're definately aged steak worthy.

If you haven't had an Amarone before, maybe have a taste (summerhill, has a great range of tasting wines). they're a specific flavour / feel -- delicious, but unique

[hhost.ca]

Absolutely go with an Amarone. Do an LCBO search for the Bertani Amarone. It is the best of the best IMHO. Probably more in the $65 range though, but well worth it.

[syoung]

Try...

CERETTO BAROLO ZONCHERA 2001 $42
CHATEAU MONTELENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003 $50

[dinin and dishin]

You could try an Amarone they usually run around $50. Very full bodied. I've tried most of the ones at the LCBO and some are better than others, but you really can't go wrong.