Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “KWV’s Cathedral Cellar wines have proven immensely popular, and this 2006 Merlot provides yet another reason why. There are loads of spicy red berry, cherry and vanilla aromas. Dry, fruity, and ably balanced by moderate tannins. Age it 2-4 years, or try it tonight with grilled gourmet sausages.” LCBO

Deep ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, dried raspberry, dark cherry, mushroom, pencil shavings & leather. Medium to full body, medium tannins, good acidity with a fairly long length.

Negatives: Pungent nose (burnt rubber) will turn people away, but the taste is nice.

Interesting Point: On a blind I would guess Pinotage from the nose and Cabernet Sauvignon from the taste.

Drink now on its own or pair it with mild German pepperettes or ketchup chips.

Tasted: 18 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 522219

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Nero di Troia (aka Uva di Troia)
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Torrevento
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Oak, plums, black currents, black & white pepper, mulberry, dry sage, black tea, licorice & wild mushrooms. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: The nose is a little musty which will turn off some people.

Drink now & it paired well with medium veal from California Sandwich.

Tasted: 7 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 208256

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Agricoltori Chianti Geografico
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, sour cherry, truffles, oregano, Thai basil, cassis, plum, blackberry, tamarind, leather & a touch of spinach. Medium body with high tannins, medium to medium+ acidity with a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I would have never guessed this wine as Merlot.

Drink now or over the next 5 years, but right now pair it with a high protein meal to break down the tannins.

Tasted: 1 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 204586

Cost: $18.45 (sale $16.45 till 24 June 12)
Grape Variety: Grenache blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General Listing
Country: France
Region: Rasteau
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier S.A.
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour with medium minus nose.

Positives: Not much but there is a lot of oak & some dark cherry & licorice. Medium body with medium+ tannins & acidity with medium length.

Negatives: Very bland. Nothing special here.

Interesting Point: This low rating maybe due to a defective bottle as normally M. Chapoutier is one of my favourite French producers.

Tasted: 22 June 12

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO#: 321539

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Grenache/syrah/mourvedre
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Vacqueyras
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dvm Duvernay Vins Millesimes
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, plum, licorice, blackberry, dark chocolate & dried earth. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Very food friendly as the flavours are all subdued.

Drink now or over the next 4 years & pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 22 June 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17+/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 280966