Cost: $20.25
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A moderate Merlot with low fruit and high alcohol

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features oak, plums, dry figs, dried blueberries, Christmas cake, rosemary, sage, cinnamon and leather. Medium+ body and medium tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: High heat from the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with BBQ lamb chops

Tasted: 20 Dec 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 344101

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: 14% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages & The Wine Shop
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hildebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

If you don’t mind the black tea, bell pepper dominance it’s a nice wine

The wine features oak, bell peppers, twigs, plum, tobacco leaves, black cherry, black tea, turmeric, anise and leather. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

This vintage is Cab dominated which explains the predominant green notes. I prefer the 2011 vintage as it’s more complex. See my earlier review on that vintage.

Drink now or over the next  5-8 years on its own or pair it with steak and spiced asparagus.

Tasted: 17 Oct 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 303800