Cost: $16.00 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $14.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E & J Gallo
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This ain’t half bad for a commercially produced California Cab Sauvignon

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features sweet plums, blueberry jam, black cherries, blackberries, espresso, vanilla and cloves.

Negatives: Has just enough jammy sweetness that makes it on the fence for me.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with mushroom, sautéed onions, cheese burger.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 26, 2020

LCBO: 633347

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvèdre)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a Shiraz from Australia that is under 14% alcohol, unfortunately for my taste it has a little too much jammy notes, but those that like low tannin wines will like this wine

Tasting Note: Medium to light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, low tannin & average length on the finish. Wine features plum, blueberry pie, strawberry jam & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with seared venison with blueberry sauce.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 1, 2020

LCBO: 295873

Cost: $14.15 (Sale price Feb 2020: $13.15)
Grape: Syrah-Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: Magnotta Winery
Country: France & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple and not half bad

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features plum, cherry, red apples, white pepper with light tannins.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now on its own or pair it with stewed meats.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: February 11, 2020

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: V Vines
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For a generic California Cab, there’s lots of positives, such as the alcohol is under 14% & it isn’t flabby or sweet, but it doesn’t encourage me to buy it again at this price.

Positives: Ruby to purple in colour, this wine features dark cherry chocolate, mocha, blackberry, plum, baking spice, turmeric and graphite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The wine didn’t hold up with steak as it made it flabby. It can’t take the protein in red meats.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Country Style Potato Salad drizzled with Bourbon BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: February 10, 2020

LCBO: 13181

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valle, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Geyser Peak Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Disappointing showing of a wine I use to love

Positives: This wine features plum, dark cherry, blackberry, black figs, mocha, turmeric, leather and vanilla.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Vintages 2008 & 2007 that I wrote reviews in 2013 & 2012 respectively, the price was $19.95 and the alcohol was great at 13.5%. Taste was just wonderful, unfortunately it seems Geyser Peak has decided to join the rest of the California clan to make sure their wines, red & white are 14.5% alcohol or higher, and raised their prices by $10. So sad.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: August 2, 2019

LCBO: 161323