Cost: $37.95 (Clearance: $30.40)
Grape Variety: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Bienfaisance
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An enjoyable wine,  not sure I would pay the full price for it, but I might think twice when I try it again in 5 years

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberries, plums, Allspice, licorice, green twigs and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with roasted venison tenderloin.

Tasted: 27 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10), Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 195198

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Haut-Vignoble Seguin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth full flavoured Bordeaux that’s ready to drink now

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, plums, raspberry, blueberry, smoked bell peppers, turmeric, graphite and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with peppercorn steak

Tasted: 24 Sept 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 348748

Cost: $102.95 (Cayman Islands: $70.10 CI)
Grape Variety: 80% Sangiovese 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages and Blackbeard’s
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antinori
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine just don’t think it’s worth the price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. The wine features cedar, sour cherry, red currants, pimento, tobacco leaves, plum and sandalwood. Medium with medium+ tannins, high acidity with long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Needs several hours to decant

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with flank steak and roasted peppers

Tasted: 18 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

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

LCBO: 986786

Cost: $15.95 (Clearance: $12.80)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sileni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complicated here just a light and juicy wine

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry & plums. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Seemed like there was a second fermentation going on in the bottle

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with garlic prime rib.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price 8.5+/10) Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 308106

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tessellae
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, smooth & easy drinking wine with lots of flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium Cherry, mulberry, blueberry, lavender, black and white peppers, Kirsch liqueur and mesquite. Medium to medium+ body, light tannins with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The Grenache grapes were sourced from 60 year old vines while the Syrah and Mourvedre came from 20 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 2 year on its own or pair it with beef tenderloin with cherry black pepper sauce.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2014

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

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

LCBO: 343517

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance $23.20)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Cab that will only get better with age and for under $30, but even better at the clearance price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blueberry, blackberry, plums, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, tobacco leaves, eucalyptus and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington

Tasted: 14 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 949305