Cost: $17.25
Grape: 75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Balbas
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but full flavoured

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, raspberry, blackberry, coconut and tomato leaves. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol and a little soapy on the nose.

Interesting Note: I found the wine tasted better in the larger Cab glass rather than the typical Tempranillo glass that I would normally use for a dominant Tempranillo wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shanks with Ancho Chile Honey Glaze.

Tasted: 5 July 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 461236

Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Patagonia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Fabre SA
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value summer drink, you may wish to get several bottles

Description: Medium purple to ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine sweet oak, cherry, plum, strawberry, blackberry, wild blueberry, eucalyptus, spinach, anise, cinnamon and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A good opportunity to try Malbec from the southern region of Patagonia.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Honey Grilled Pork Loin with Garlic Black Pepper Stuffing.

Tasted: 27 May 2017

Best Buy at the clearance price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 477364

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jordan Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of blackcurrants and greens

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, asparagus, green peppers, eucalyptus, cassis, black olives, black tea. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5%

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Bison Ribeye with Roasted Garlic and Crispy Potatoes.

Tasted: 23 May 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 485508

Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Israel
Region: Ayalon Valley, Judean Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos de Gat Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Funky nose but the taste delivers

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, plum, blackcurrants, anise, Portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, dried thyme, leather, tomato leaves and burnt rubber on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Wine is unfined and unfiltered. I Would definitely try this wine again but in a younger vintage.

Drink now as it’s past its prime. Drink on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 3 April 2017

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

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

LCBO: 280339