Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wingara Wine Group
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby with a garnet tinge and medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A solid Cab showing cedar, blackberry, eucalyptus, olives, blackcurrant, coffee, spinach, graphite, leather, turmeric, green tea and tamarind. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slightly on the green side and too astringent for me. Needs time to mature.

Drink now, but pair it with a protein dish. Better to age this for another 5-7 years.

Tasted: 27 Jan 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117+/20

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

LCBO#: 590471

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Beronia S.A.
Alcohol: 14 %
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: The nose is just lovely featuring sandalwood, cloves, cinnamon & coconut. The taste features oak, sour cherry, plums and raspberry tea.

Negatives: The taste doesn’t measure up to the nose.

Interesting Things: I reviewed the 2007 in Nov 2011 and in comparison this one falls well below it. It also has a more opaque appearance and a higher alcohol content of 14%.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pulled pork sandwich.

Tasted: 25 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 243055

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sterling Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity.

Positives: Easy drinking wine with oak spice, sweet cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, leather, plums and chocolate. Medium+ body and tannins with medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Not worth the price. Should be around $15.

Drink now on its own or pair it with something.

Tasted: 23 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO#: 330241

Cost: $17.60
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kobrand Corporation
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium minus nose.

Not sure if this was past its prime, but nothing special here folks. You’ll find rhubarb, sour cherry, light pine and bitter coffee on the finish.

Tasted: 13 Jan 13

Score: 8/10, Value: 8.5/20, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO:# 61242

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: 80% Tempranillo 20% Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Domeco De Jarauta, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring oak, black cherry, shiitake mushrooms, green tea, lavender & leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: “Majuelos de Espana’s Rioja offering is the 2009 Solar de Castro Vendimia Seleccionada, a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards, all over 30 years of age. It was fermented with native yeasts, went through malolactic in barrel, and was aged for 12 months in new French oak.” LCBO

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

Tasted: 7 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 285593

Cost: $34.95 (in sale: $31.95 until 6 Jan 13)
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3 %
Description: Dark, almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Lots of flavour on both the nose & taste showing cedar, cassis, plums, cloves, blueberries, blackberries, tobacco leaves, sage, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric. Full body, medium+ tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the high alcohol.

Interesting Points: See my review of the 2009 Knights Valley on 23 May 12 and compare the two.

Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years, and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 5 Jan 13

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

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

LCBO#352583