Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cline Cellars
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Zin for under $15

Positives: This wine features light cedar, Christmas cake, raisins, plums, raspberry, maraschino cherry and candy apple. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to have a Zin at 14% alcohol and costing under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, Paneang curry with beef.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 489278

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance: $20.70)
Grape Variety: Cabernet 95% Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Helena Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An easy juicy full body red and a best buy at the clearance price

Positives: This wine shows cedar, blackcurrants, anise, dark cherry, cigar box, menthol, plums and arugula. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with vegetable lasagna.

Tasted: 6 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 295519

Cost: $12.65 ($11.65 until 10 Nov 2013)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Faustino Martinez
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Quality is very good for a wine under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, plums, dates, licorice stick, black tea, leather, sage and burlap. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: LCBO usually has this wine on sale a couple times a year.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with Spanish Salami.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 315234

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Cissac
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

An elegant wine from Bordeaux that you would expect to pay $50 for.

Positives: The wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackcurrant, star anise, pencil shavings, turmeric, sage, plum, arugula and cigar box. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 25 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 324665

Cost: $15.75
Grape Variety: Agiorgitiko
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Nemea
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lykos Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A unique wine that’s a mix of Sambuca, a well aged rum and port.

Positives: This easy drinking wine features lots of pine, sandalwood, anise, sugar cane, dark cherry, dates, raisins, Rosemary and basil. Medium+ body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with white chocolate.

Tasted: 17 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 61473

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $22.25)
Grape Variety: Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan & Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Jardin
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a slight cloudiness and a medium+ intense nose.

Full flavour wine that is truly enjoyable. Best Buy at the clearance price.

Positives: The wine is complex featuring cedar, plums, white & red peppers, strawberry, raspberry, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, basil, sage, dried leaves and mushrooms. Medium body and medium tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin grilled steak.

Tasted: 4 Oct 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 285205

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Easy drinking, full of flavour and in a word, marvellous.

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, licorice stick, candied caramel apple, cola, Montreal smoked meat and all the aromas of burning Autumn leaves. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t get this confused with the entry level Beronia Tempranillo in General List for $11.90. It’s night and day, and frankly; pay the extra $7 as it’s well worth it.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sautéed lamb chops with herbs de Provence.

Tasted: 2 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 723643