Cost: $16.15
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a high intensity nose.

Positives: The taste of this complex wine washes over the palate in waves. Look for dark cherry, tamarind, rhubarb, blackberry, mulberry, plums, red currants, licorice, black pepper, capers, celery & earth notes. Medium body, medium+ acidity & very long length.

Negatives: Due to its complexity some notes may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.

Interesting Point: Washington’s first certified organic winery in 1990.

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal Parmigiana.

Tasted: 22 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 209882

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: “Impressive Syrah with aromas of blackberry, bacon, brambleberry, mixed dried herbs and black pepper. It’s dry, with concentrated fruit and moderate tannins. Sweet-fruit core is nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Medium-full bodied with an impressive finish. Can cellar 2-3 years, but why wait? Enjoy it with bacon-wrapped sausages, smoked back ribs or grilled steaks with a peppercorn sauce.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. Positives: Smooth wine with notes of light cedar with tamarind chutney, blackberry, black cherry, mulberry, fried peameal bacon & sage. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A lot of heat on the finish due to the high alcohol.

Interesting Things: South Africa is the place to go for inexpensive Rhône varieties.

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

Tasted 18 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 59280

Cost: $12.95 (On sale for $11.95)
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan, Mourvèdre & Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Fairview Trust
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Immensely popular worldwide, this cheeky Rhône-style blend (Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan and Mourvèdre with a dash of the local Pinotage) has proven to be more than just a witty name. It’s a friendly, straightforward and fun wine featuring berry fruit and plum aromas with some pepper and leather in the background. A fantastic value and a great party wine! Lovely with rich meat-based pasta dishes.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby to purple with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose shows carnations, plums, blackberries, pomegranate, star anise, sandalwood, eucalyptus & cherry pie. The taste is rich showing similar notes as the nose with plums being dominant. Medium to medium+ body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: High alcohol that you can detect on the nose & taste.

Interesting Thing: The name is a take off Côte du Rhône and its style. Consistent year to year. Periodically the LCBO puts this wine on sale for $1 off.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lamb chops.

Tasted: 1 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 718940

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vina Santa Rita
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Classic Cab Sauv notes of cedar, blackberry, anise, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, leather, turmeric, tamarin & some tobacco leaf on the finish. Well balanced wine, medium+ body & length, good acidity & medium tannins.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: Santa Rita is a well established winery that consistently produces good wines at all their price points. This one is the second level on their pricing scale of wines found in the LCBO. Best part is they usually have sales a couple times of year. This ones on sale for $11.95 until the beginning of January. Nice thing about this wine is its ready to drink now & it taste as if you’re drinking a bottle double its price.

Drink on its own or pair it with any beef dish.

Tasted: 20 Dec 11

Best Buy (amazing buy at the sale price).

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 253872