Cost: $17.60
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kobrand Corporation
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium minus nose.

Not sure if this was past its prime, but nothing special here folks. You’ll find rhubarb, sour cherry, light pine and bitter coffee on the finish.

Tasted: 13 Jan 13

Score: 8/10, Value: 8.5/20, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO:# 61242

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: 80% Tempranillo 20% Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Domeco De Jarauta, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring oak, black cherry, shiitake mushrooms, green tea, lavender & leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: “Majuelos de Espana’s Rioja offering is the 2009 Solar de Castro Vendimia Seleccionada, a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards, all over 30 years of age. It was fermented with native yeasts, went through malolactic in barrel, and was aged for 12 months in new French oak.” LCBO

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

Tasted: 7 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 285593

Cost: $34.95 (in sale: $31.95 until 6 Jan 13)
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3 %
Description: Dark, almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Lots of flavour on both the nose & taste showing cedar, cassis, plums, cloves, blueberries, blackberries, tobacco leaves, sage, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric. Full body, medium+ tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the high alcohol.

Interesting Points: See my review of the 2009 Knights Valley on 23 May 12 and compare the two.

Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years, and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 5 Jan 13

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO#352583

Cost: $35.95 (clearance $25.25)
Grape Variety: 38% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec.
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawkes Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trinity Hill Winery
Alcohol: 14%
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A nicely balanced, complex wine featuring medium oak, blackberry, blueberry, black & red pepper, pomegranate, mocha, tobacco leaves, arugula, anise, turmeric, tamarind, leather & graphite. Medium+ body with firm tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Well worth the clearance price.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 19 Dec 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (clearance price 9.5/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO#: 280263