Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Carrick Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour with med intensity on the nose. The nose shows unmistakeable Pinot with light beetroot, rhubarb, cherry, strawberry, lightly smoked bacon, truffles & carnations. Overall med+ complexity on the nose. On the taste it’s dry, med+ acidity, med minus tannins, long length & balanced. Cranberry, pomegranate, sour cherry, rhubarb & tobacco leaf. The nose is a lot nicer than the taste that I felt was too tart & lacked depth. Not a typical Central Otago Pinot, more like Marlborough Pinot.

Tasted: 5 May 2011.

Score: 7.5 Value: 7/10, Total; 14.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO#: 919837

Cost: $9.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: S.C. La Milagrosa
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Nice nose, sandalwood, cherry nose, smokey bacon, black currents & black berries. On the taste all green & twigs. Very austere. I thing after 10 yrs it might age, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Can’t drink on it’s own & needs something salty like speck.

Tasted: March 2011

Score: 5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 1

LCBO#: 173625

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: California, Sonoma Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. & J. Gallo Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Actor Fred MacMurray, from My 3 Sons, purchased the ranch in 1940’s. This Pinot grows on me. Med+ intensity, med- garnet. Nose shows black olives, cranberry, smoked bacon, light earth tones & light butterscotch. On the palate, med- body, med acidity, low tannins. Wine seems higher in alcohol than it is (13.5%). Cranberry, strawberry, cherry, bacon. Even though there’s a slight sweet note on the nose, there’s non on the palate. More complexed on the nose than palate. Drink on it’s own or with grilled pork chops. It wants to be a Burgundian Pinot, but falls short, still not bad considering the price.

Tasted: March 2011

Score: 8+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 48207

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Two Hands Wines
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque purple/ruby with med+ intensity. Nose shows plum, cinnamon, some sandalwood, dates, spiced apple, cloves. Complexed nose. On the palate, good acidity which is a surprise considering the typical Aussie nose. More raisin than plum, dates & a fair amount of green, which is surprising. The high alcohol is felt at the end deep down the throat. Young tannins, makes this wine more linear. Lacks depth. Needs aging for another 5 yrs.

Tasted: March 2011

Score: 6/10, Value: 5/10, Total: 11/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 1.5

LCBO#:9480