Cost: $23.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Victoria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Red Hill Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking, old-world style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, pomegranate, maraschino cherry, cranberry, Shitake mushroom and peat moss on the nose. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some acetone on the finish

Interesting Note: Chill to 15 C and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with roasted red pepper beef stew.

Tasted: 25 January 2017

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

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

LCBO: 58073

Cost: $25.95 (Sale price: $22.95 until 1 Jan 2017)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, new world style Pinot

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, beets, sweet cranberries, mushrooms and smoked peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Beet Risotto with Pecorino.

Tasted: 17 December 2016

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 954834

Cost: $59.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wagner Family of Wines
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Not for the faint of heart Pinot lovers as this wine leans towards Port

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, blueberry pie, bramble fruit, dark cherry, plum, figs, cinnamon and cloves on the nose. Full body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.8% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Rack of Lamb.

Tasted: 25 December 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 17/20

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

LCBO: 212076

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $20.40)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Francis Winery
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid California Cab for under $30

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, ripe blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, tar, tobacco, tomato leaf, dark chocolate and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.8% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brochette with Taleggio and Spicy Chocolate Sauce.

Tasted: 9 December 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 671164