Cost: $34.55
Grape Variety: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vilafonte
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a highly intense nose.

Positives: The nose shows medium oak, roses, bramble fruit, menthol, plum, black cherry, cinnamon, leather, green twigs & some earthly notes. The taste is different from the nose showing coffee, mocha, nutmeg, blackberry, plum, anise, black currants, leather, portobello mushrooms, sour cherry & cinnamon. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, acidity & length.

Negatives: A little astringent & therefore needs to be decanted for 2 hours hour, but then it opens up wonderfully.

Interesting Things: I love the minimalist label & the back label that gives the consumer a lot of interesting facts about this wine.

Drink now with tenderloin steak or lay it down for another 4 years.

Tasted: 3 Mar 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 7757

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Santa Rita
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delightful complex nose showing cedar, cassis, star anise, cloves, blackberry, dark chocolate, cigar box, leather & pencil shavings. The taste is just as complex with its notes coming in waves. Similar notes to the nose but a fair amount of spinach on mid palate & finish that is traditionally found in Chilean Cabs. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins & acidity, alcohol well integrated & a very long finish.

Negatives: Taste falls well below the aromas due to the dominate green notes.

Drink now by decanting an hour before service. This Cab should cellar well for another 5 years. Pair it with medium-rare steak.

Tasted: 27 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 275594

Cost: $16.45
Grape Variety: Molinara, Corvina, Rondinella
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Zonin S.P.A.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, mulberry & plums. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: Way too musty.

Pair this with pizza.

Tasted: 28 Feb 12

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10, Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2

LCBO#: 170142

Cost: $20.85 (sale: $18.85)
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Ortago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antmoore Wineworks Limited
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium minus to light garnet in colour with medium intensity.

Positives: Earth notes dominate with fall leaves, mushrooms, & suede followed by sour cherry, rhubarb & cranberry. A lighter style Pinot with good acidity, soft tannins & a long length.

Negatives: There is some bitterness on the mid palate, but dissipates thanks to the long finish. I’m not crazy about the label, looks like Nouveau Beaujolais.

Interesting Point: It’s unusual to find a Central Ortago Pinot this inexpensive, but I found it muted compared to other Ortago Pinots. Reminds me more of Côte de Beaune. Food friendly wine that I would pair with turkey. Drink now or over the next 3 years.

Tasted: 11 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 220657

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Mencia
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Palacios
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Descendientes De J. Palacios
Alcohol: 15.0 %
Description: Medium to medium+ ruby in colour with medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Earthy wine featuring mushrooms, twigs, leather, plums, dried foliage, tobacco leaves, sage, blackberries, wild berries, oak & cherry cough syrup. Medium to medium+ body & tannins with good acidity, extremely long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Not sure about the cherry cough syrup notes.

Drink now or for the next 5 years on its own or with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 8 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 675207

Cost: $33.95
Grape Variety: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grant Burge Wines Pty Ltd
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet with a purple tinge and a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, dried blueberry & raspberry, slate, peppers (red, black & white), plums, leather & moss. Medium to full body with medium to medium minus tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol. Tastes more like a wine $10 cheaper.

Interesting Point: Check out my comparison to Turkey Flat Butcher’s Block SGM.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ baby back ribs.

Tasted: 27 Jan 12

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 236257