Cost: $13.65
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penfolds Wines Pty. Ltd.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Classic Cab notes while being restraint from going to jammy in a lot of inexpensive Australian Cabs & the alcohol being under 14%. Wine shows cedar, cassis, blackberry, cloves, leather, turmeric, pencil shavings, ripe tamarind & a touch of eucalyptus. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: GET IT WHILE IT’S AVAILABLE. Now that I got your attention, LCBO has this wine on sale for $13.65.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 30 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 45625

Cost: $16.90
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Madiran
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M.T. Vins
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lots going in this wine. The nose brims with cedar, sandalwood, leather, pencil shavings, cinnamon, sage, cloves, plums, blackberry & expresso. The taste has similar notes as the nose but with mint, red currants & pomegranates. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity with a very long length.

Negatives: Quiet a bit of heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: This wine won gold in Paris in 2010. I would encourage everyone to try to explore wines that come from areas around the world that are generally not accessible unless you visit the specific location. Lucky the LCBO has brought us wine from Madiran.

Drink now or over the next 3 years. It’s enjoyable on its own but would pair even better with rack of lamb or grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 19 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 251561

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Red Wine
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Do Passadouro
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Violets on the nose with plum, cinnamon, peppercorns, cherry, figs, blackberry, mocha, leather, olives, vanilla & black currants. Full body with medium+ tannins, good & long length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the high alcohol.

Interesting Point: Classic Port notes without the sweetness of desert wine.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with beef coq au vin.

Tasted: 12 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 , Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 267997

Cost: $16.95 (Sale $15.95 until 27 May 12)
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Constellation Wines Nz
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby with a low intense nose.

Positives: A lighter & simple style Pinot featuring raspberry, sour cherry, rhubarb & a slight earthy note. Medium minus in body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: This maybe a simple Pinot but I like it. The flavours that it does feature are all very good. The other things I like are: It’s in the LCBO General List, it’s under $20, which both points used to be unheard of for a Central Otago, it’s on sale now & it has a funky front & back label. Drink now on its own or pair it with Thumper, AKA rabbit. (Hey at least I didn’t say Bambi!)

Tasted: 3 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 234526

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ascentia Wine Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “This wine won a Judges’ Choice Award at the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards in 2009. The wine is filled with cassis, black plum, vanilla and cherry aromas. Dry and fruity, it is surrounded by ripe tannins and gentle acidity. Enjoy this award-winner with grilled lamb steaks.” LCBO

Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, pine cones, dark cherry, marzipan, chocolate, cassis, anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, pencil shavings, tamarind, slate & cigar box. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, long length & the alcohol is nicely integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This has been a favourite of mine for decades. I’m glad it’s back & it’s under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with a T-bone grilled steak.

Tasted: 21 Apr 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 343467