Cost: $17.95 (On sale $15.95 until 1 March 15)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Matua
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lot to offer for a Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, rhubarb, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, cinnamon, smoked amber and a touch of forest. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Sweet potato crusted salmon on a bed of spinach & roasted tomato quinoa with a grainy dijon & dill Chimichurri (as per Chef Carl Dahl executive chef from Julia & Ritorno restaurants)

Tasted: 10 Feb 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 358952

Cost: $16.95 Clearance
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: BNA Wine Group
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking wine for under $20, Did I mention that’s for a Napa Cab?!

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, arugula and Radicchio. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Interesting notes: Bought this at LCBO clearance price. The winery sells this for $24.69 US, but in reading the prices in the States, looks like $15 is the norm, which is an excellent price. At this price I would get a case.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak grilled with sage, parsley and lemon zest infused compound butter.

Tasted: 21 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nationional, Sousã
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Borges
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full and rich flavour

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, raisins, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor, figs, champagne mushrooms and mint. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: As this wine will get better with age, I would suggest decanting for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Duck served with wild mushrooms and fig sauce.

Tasted: 28 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 358762

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 45% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mulberbosch
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

The story is sad, but the taste is good

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, anise, tobacco leaves, spinach, arugula, espresso, fig, cocoa, bell pepper and leather. Full body with medium+ tannings, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “THE STORY OF THE FAITHFUL HOUND: Soon after Dr. Larry Jacobs and winemaker Mike Dobrovic founded Mulderbosch in 1989, they discovered an abandoned dog living on the farm. Because of the creature’s scraggly, unkempt appearance, they called him “Boes,” which means “bushy” in Afrikaans.

Boes spent most of his time perched beneath a large oak tree, gazing off into the distance. Often he would wander about the farm during the day, observing the vineyard activity. But he dutifully returned to his lookout point each evening, where he patiently awaited his beloved master’s return. Night after night, through all kinds of weather, he never failed to keep his vigil. So it was that he earned himself the nickname “Faithful Hound.”

Eventually it was revealed that his owner, a farmhand on the property before the Mulderbosch days, had been killed in a car accident. After three years of devotedly watching and waiting for his best friend, the Faithful Hound passed away beneath the old oak tree, just beside the cottage where he and his master had lived.

Shortly thereafter, Mike Dobrovic decided to create a Bordeaux blend as a tribute to Boes; the maiden 1994 vintage of Mulderbosch Faithful Hound was released in 1995. The dog is buried beneath the oak tree, near the very spot where he dutifully kept his vigil. And many vintages later, his namesake wine continues to celebrate his undying loyalty, unwavering dedication, and inspiring determination.

Faithful Hound’s final resting place – the oak tree where he kept his three year vigil, next to the cottage where his master lived. “ (www.capeclassics.com)

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak

Tasted: 5 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 922443