Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 21 July 13: $16.95)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Osborne Y Cia
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite general list wines carried by the LCBO and it’s usually on sale a couple times in a year.

Positives: This classic easy drinking wine features cedar, cigar box, coconut, vanilla, plum, sour cherry, tobacco leaves, sandalwood and cherry pipe tobacco. Medium to medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 9 July 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 621003

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: 70% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, 10% Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Sa
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

High quality wine that’s smooth, delicious & under $15

Positives: This wine shows rustic earthy flavours like cedar, Champagne mushrooms, spice box, black tea, olives, mingled with violets, cherry and plums. Medium body and tannins with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: I love the smoky black bottle that is reminiscent of vintage port bottles.

Drink now on its own or pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 7 July 2013

Top Pick and Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 166579

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: 89% Carmenère, 6% Merlot, 5% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with medium intense nose.

The blend of Merlot and Syrah makes this wine smooth and delicious.

Positives: This wine features plum, red peppers, peppercorn, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, cherry, chocolate, white pepper and vanilla. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine had double maturation of the grapes which is evident in the wine’s smoothness.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 2 years. Pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 168740

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: This easy drinking Cab features cinnamon & clove on the nose mingling onto the palate with cedar, blackberry, cassis, turmeric, blueberry, plum, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, cigar box and leather. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Rodney Strong wines are consistently good.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 6 July 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 226944

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintage
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Consorzio Produttori Vini E Mosti R
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

If you like Zinfandels but you find some of them overly jammy, or high in alcohol, this one will not disappoint you. And for a 2007 vintage at under $20, this is a really good buy. Also if you like Port but not the high alcohol and sweetness, then this one is for you.

Positives: Light cedar, prunes, dates, figs, dark chocolate, Allspice, blackberry & raspberry. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity with a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with BBQ ribs.

Tasted: 14 June 13

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 326710