Curious Beasts Blood Red (Rouge Sang)

SAQ code: 12109986
Price: $18.95
Made in: California, USA
By: Truett Hurst
Varietal: Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel
2012

Got this red wine at the SAQ as the wrapper around the bottle caught our eye. Had a pirate kind of feel, tied up around the neck of the bottle with an elastic. Smells like nothing at first, as really too mild. After breathing half-an-hour, it does release cherries, black berries and some mild leather. The mouthfeel is a little too tarty with the yeast. The nose started milder than the taste, but eventually beats it. Still, nothing really good, but a nice packaging. Inked blood along the cork. That’s nice.

Rating: 2.2/5

Ménage à Trois California Red

LCBO#: 308007
Price: $17.95
Made in: California, USA
By: Folie à Deux
Varietal: Zinfandel, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon

This Californian red wine does remind us a lot of Apothic Red. Loads of berries in the nose with the vanilla notes covering the leather. The taste is pretty sweet with berry jams and the vanilla calms things down. Not much tannins but more stickiness from the sugars. So, overall a nice blended red wine that is easy to drink. Recommended for a house wine when a bunch of friends come over for snack and wine. A little too sweet to be a great wine, but if you like Apothic Red and find the vanilla a little too strong, you should prefer this one.

Rating: 3.7/5