Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gonzalez Byass & Co.
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This is not a gentle wine as the wood & fruits explode in your mouth, and I like it.

Positives: Full flavour wine featuring lots of cedar, vanilla, sandalwood, cherry pipe tobacco, dark cherry, chocolate, mocha, bramble fruit, cloves and licorice. Full body with medium+ to high tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch high on the heat due to the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Decant for 30 min to ease the tannins.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 20 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 50203

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Red Bordeaux Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel Pelissie
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A juicy & delicious wine from the Graves region.

Positives: Nothing shy about this wine which features cedar, blackcurrants, cinnamon, dark chocolate, Kahlua, raspberry, cigar box, turmeric, graphite, and spinach leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:  ‘In 1173, William the Knight Templar, Archbishop of Bordeaux, bought the land of Landiras and the fortress previously built by the lords of Landiras. In 1306, the castle of Landiras was rebuilt on the ruins of the fortress. This château gave its name to the estate, Château de Landiras. Today, a magnificent barbican stands as a testimony of the past fame of Château de Landiras. During the 17th century, the Château used to be the residence of the most important owner of all times, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, founder of the order The Company of Mary Our Lady. This is the reason why the Château is still a place for pilgrimage.’ (Chateau Landiras)

Drink now or over the next 5 year on its own or pair it with Roquefort cheese

Tasted: 17 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 324673

Cost: $20.95 (Clearance: $15.25)
Grape Variety: Bordeaux blend
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau La Fleur Jonquet
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to medium+ garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Juicy and smooth, drink on its own or pair it with food. Best Buy especially at the clearance price.

Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, smoked meat, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, blueberry, oregano, turmeric, leather and graphite. Medium to medium+ body and tannin’s with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak.

Tasted: 3 Aug 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: 307280

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 21 July 13: $16.95)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Osborne Y Cia
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite general list wines carried by the LCBO and it’s usually on sale a couple times in a year.

Positives: This classic easy drinking wine features cedar, cigar box, coconut, vanilla, plum, sour cherry, tobacco leaves, sandalwood and cherry pipe tobacco. Medium to medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 9 July 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 621003

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: 70% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, 10% Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Sa
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

High quality wine that’s smooth, delicious & under $15

Positives: This wine shows rustic earthy flavours like cedar, Champagne mushrooms, spice box, black tea, olives, mingled with violets, cherry and plums. Medium body and tannins with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: I love the smoky black bottle that is reminiscent of vintage port bottles.

Drink now on its own or pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 7 July 2013

Top Pick and Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 166579