Cost: $20.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coto de Rioja
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A true pleasure to drink and for just over $20.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and some leather.  Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the classic label.

Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Crusted Black Pepper and Cinnamon seared Pork Loin served with fried yucca drizzled with garlic butter.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 23762

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cline Cellars
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Zin for under $15

Positives: This wine features light cedar, Christmas cake, raisins, plums, raspberry, maraschino cherry and candy apple. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to have a Zin at 14% alcohol and costing under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, Paneang curry with beef.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 489278

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance: $20.70)
Grape Variety: Cabernet 95% Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Helena Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An easy juicy full body red and a best buy at the clearance price

Positives: This wine shows cedar, blackcurrants, anise, dark cherry, cigar box, menthol, plums and arugula. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with vegetable lasagna.

Tasted: 6 Nov 2013

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 295519

Cost: $12.65 ($11.65 until 10 Nov 2013)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Faustino Martinez
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Quality is very good for a wine under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, plums, dates, licorice stick, black tea, leather, sage and burlap. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO usually has this wine on sale a couple times a year.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with Spanish Salami.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 315234

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Cissac
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

An elegant wine from Bordeaux that you would expect to pay $50 for.

Positives: The wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackcurrant, star anise, pencil shavings, turmeric, sage, plum, arugula and cigar box. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 25 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 324665

Cost: $15.75
Grape Variety: Agiorgitiko
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Nemea
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lykos Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A unique wine that’s a mix of Sambuca, a well aged rum and port.

Positives: This easy drinking wine features lots of pine, sandalwood, anise, sugar cane, dark cherry, dates, raisins, Rosemary and basil. Medium+ body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with white chocolate.

Tasted: 17 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 61473