Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 326,595 strong:

Register Today!

Tawse Winery Inc. Cuddy By Tawse Cabernet Merlot 2013 Wine Review

Tawse Winery Inc. Cuddy By Tawse Cabernet Merlot 2013

Tawse Winery Inc. Cuddy By Tawse Cabernet Merlot 2013

Niagara Escarpment, Ontario VQA, Canada

Community Score:91/100

Community Reviews: 5

  Add My Review


Price: $25.25

Drink: 2016-2021

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Tawse

Agent: Tawse Winery

Natalie's Score: 93/100

A seductive mocha, espresso nose on this distinguished Niagara red wine blend of Cabernet France, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. This wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Rich and smooth on the palate, with a long, satisfying finish inflected with blackberry, dark spice and smoke. Decant 1-2 hours. The 2013 vintage is the inaugural release of this wine. Jim Cuddy, lead singer and guitarist of the Canadian band Blue Rodeo, has partnered with Niagara’s Tawse Winery to create a new wine brand, Cuddy by Tawse. Cuddy is one of the country’s most iconic musicians: over the past thirty years Blue Rodeo has sold more than four million records, released 14 albums and won eleven JUNO awards. Pair this wine with a rare steak and the band's hit song "Try," aptly named for tasting this new wine.

Cabernet Merlot food pairings: BBQ hamburger, short rib ragu with tagliatelle, wine-braised pork tacos.

This Tawse Winery Inc. Cuddy By Tawse Cabernet Merlot 2013 was reviewed on June 24, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2020  2018  2015 

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

An outstanding wine by Tawse winery proudly named "Cuddy" after James Cuddy of the awarding winning and celebrated Canadian band, Blue Rodeo. Jim Cuddy, an order of Canada recipient, worked closely with winemakers Paul Pender and Rene Van Ede the from Tawse to create this phenomenal Cabernet Merlot. The wine was aged 18 months in French oak barrels - the aromas and flavors are layered perfectly to delivering pure elegance - blackberry, shaved dark chocolate, espresso, mint, violet and cassis drenched plums harmoniously fill the mouth offering a lengthy, silky finish. Tasted December 2017.
Dianne Sheridan - Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This lovely, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/ Merlot blend has the aromas of oak, raspberry, vanilla, tobacco, plums with a hint of floral notes on the nose. On the palate it is medium bodied with a harmoniously lingering plum/berry finish balanced by soft tannins. This wine can age for several more years. Decanting this wine now will only enhance its' character and depth.

A great sipping wine or serve with venison, wild mushroom or lamb dishes.

Tawse Winery has been crafting exceptional old world inspired wines for many years. It is a family owned biodynamic and organic winery with modern and updated technology. Their wines are crafted with elegance, each wine having their own character taken from the terroir and grape varietals that are grown on the property. The vines are located on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment with all grapes being hand harvested and carefully selected.
Stephen Andrews reviewed this wine as follows:

Tasted July 14th, 2017 with neighbours who are big fans of Jim. Colour medium red ruby, legs medium. Aroma, black cherry, black plum, blackberry, rose,mocha,incense.
Taste dry, medium mouth feel, and complex taste. A soft tannin and acidity to a smooth finish. I like this wine and feel proud that it is made in Niagara Ontario. We enjoyed it with a cheese tray and BBQ. This is a celebrity wine worth the price. A signed bottle would be very cool to have.
This Cabernet Merlot from Ontario's Niagara Peninsula has a delicious mocha espresso nose layered with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit. Cuddy 2013 is a red wine blend of Cabernet France, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. This wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. The 2013 vintage is the inaugural release of this wine. Jim Cuddy, lead singer and guitarist of the Canadian band Blue Rodeo, has partnered with Niagara’s Tawse Winery in creating this new wine brand. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Tawse Winery Inc. Cuddy By Tawse Cabernet Merlot 2013, you might also like these wines:

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Wander + Found Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Cuveé Blanc Can

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 326,595 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  

337,614

WINE
REVIEWS

326,595

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award