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

Cost: $15.60
Grape Variety: Touriga Nacional blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Dão
Format: 750 mL
Producer: House Of Sandeman
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium ruby colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Oak, cherry, rhubarb, blackberry, sage, plums & turn tamarind. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & length.

Negatives: A little green to have on its own.

Drink within the next 2 years & match it with ribeye steak.

Tasted: 13 June 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 13474

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Red blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Real Companhia Velha
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Easy to drink featuring notes of pine needles, blackberry, raspberry, truffles, cloves, blackcurrant, cassis & radicchio. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Has some bitterness (mustard greens) & a touch watery. Nose is better than the taste. Drink now on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 6 June 12

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

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

LCBO#: 684753