Cost: $15.95 ($13.95 until 1 Apr 12)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosemount Estate Pty
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Deep dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Not your typical jammy notes that you would find in a lot of Australian Shiraz at this price. Notes of cedar, plum, nectarines, blackberry, white & black pepper, blackcurrants, tamarind, mocha & some fried bacon. Medium to medium+ in body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat here, which tells me that the true alcohol maybe more than 13.5%.

Interesting Points: Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz is consistently good, and you can find it on sale a couple of times a year.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with prime rib.

Tasted: 17 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+, Value: 9.5 (10/10 on sale), Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 302349

Cost: $10.90
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Argentina
Region: San Juan
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Salentein Family Of Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium minus ruby with a touch of purple in colour and a medium to medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: This is a lighter style of Malbec. Notes of cedar, blackberry, plums, mulberry, raspberry, fried peameal, tobacco leaves, anise, cassis, spinach leaves & a touch of spice. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Touch too green.

Interesting Points:

• A somewhat complex wine that is difficult to find at this price.
• This has a screw cap
• I like the classic label, looks more expensive than it really is.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years. Pair it with veal sandwich or drink on its own.

Tasted: 16 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 160978

Cost: $13.95 (sale: $12.95 till April 1)
Grape Variety: Grenache/shiraz/mourvedre
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg Wines
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with medium to medium+ intensity.

Positives: Lots of spice going on here along with violets, plums, maple, nectarines, blackberries, dark cherries, tobacco leaves, cigar box & champagne mushrooms. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the alcohol & some tartness on the finish.

Interesting Note: This GSM is more in line with Cotê du Rhone as I didn’t detect the usual jammy notes associated to Australian wines. Use Shiraz/Syrah wine glass if you have them. Finally, from time to time LCBO has this wine on sale.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese dish of beef, mushrooms & broccoli.

Tasted: 7 Mar 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#: 173294

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Syrah, Mourvèdre & Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Faugères
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terroirs D’Occitanie
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Classic Faugères notes of cassis, licorice & leather. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also find tamarind, raspberry, plum, cherry, red currants & arugula. Medium+ body, tannins & acidity with a very long finish.

Negatives: Found it a little watery.

Interesting Note: Hard to find Faugères at the LCBO.

Drink now on its own or enjoy it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 5 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 223685

Cost: $23.10
Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Langhe
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Az. Ag. Massucco
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Light garnet in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: An exquisite nose featuring cedar, sandalwood, Italian spices, all spice, cinnamon, orange rind, live carnations, sour cherry, cherry cola, mulberry & truffles. The taste is similar to the nose. Medium body wine with medium+ tannins, high acidity, alcohol well interested with a long finish.

Negatives: None.

Drink now but will age nicely for the next 4 years. Enjoy it with red tomato sauce dishes.

Tasted: 2 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 214528