Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inland Trading Co.
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Medium ruby in colour with medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: A very nice aromatic nose featuring carnations, peppers (red, black & white), nutmeg, cinnamon, blackberry, raspberry, plums & cedar. The taste isn’t as pronounced as the nose, but that’s not necessary a bad thing. The tasting notes are plums, raspberry, peppers (red, black & white), eucalyptus, cardamom, arugula with dandelion greens and young artichokes on the finish. Medium to full body, good acidity, medium to low tannins & high alcohol.

Negatives: The high alcohol is quite noticeable along with a bitterness.

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

Tasted: 27 Jan 12

Score: 8+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 90241

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Malborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Spy Valley Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with highly intense nose.

Positives: What a lovely Pinot nose showing pine needles, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, earthy notes of fallen leaves, truffles & fresh cut hay. Unfortunately, the taste falls short of what the aroma of this wine gives us. Tasting notes of mushrooms, cranberry, strawberry & radish giving a slight bitter taste. Medium minus body with good acidity, low tannins, long finish & the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Too bad the long finish is bitter.

Interesting Point: This wine was like seeing Mamma Mia on stage & then seeing it on film with Pierce Brosnan singing. Still can’t get that out of my head. (Unless you liked Brosnan’s singing, in which case you will love this wine).

Drink now on its own or pair it with escargot.

Tasted: 26 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 734681

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 1500 mL
Producer: Viticoltori Friulana La Delizia
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby to garnet in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Very nice nose showing, light cedar, sour cherry, pomegranate, cassis & star anise. The taste shows sour cherry, cranberry, strawberry, cassis & star anise. Light to medium body with medium minus tannins, medium plus acidity & medium length.

Negatives: Watery taste. Plain Jane wine that’s correct on price point.

Interesting Thing: My mom liked it & she doesn’t like complex red wines that have tannins.

Drink now on its own or have it with pizza.

Tasted: 10 Jan 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO#: 351791

Cost: $15.00
Grape Variety: 72% Malbec, 16% Bonarda and 12% Syrah.
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Medoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trivento Bodegas Y Vinedos
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Deep ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Bramble fruit, cedar, blueberry, oregano & all spice on the nose. Taste shows blueberry, dark cherry, blackberry, plums, oregano, all spice & radish with spinach in the finish. Medium+ body, medium+ tannins, medium+ acidity & a very long length.

Negatives: A little too austere & green on the finish.

Interesting Thing: Thank you POA staff at Brantford (Mena, Sue, Roger & Jay; who picked the wine out, for providing me the wine.

Drink now or cellar for another 2-3 years. Pair it with protein foods like steak to smooth out the tannins & herbaceous notes.

Tasted: 6 Jan 12

Score: 8.5+, Value: 8.5+, Total: 18/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 37036

Cost: $17.95 (on sale $15.95)
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravenswood Lynn Rogers
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Ravenswood recognized early on that Zinfandel was an exceptional grape variety for fine wine production. With seductive aromas of spice, black raspberry, and mocha, their Vintners Blend Zin is ready for any occasion. Soft and round with lots of fruit and cocoa flavour, it’s terrific with spicy jerk pork, or barbecued beef ribs basted in a homemade sauce.” LCBO

Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Notes of raisins, blueberry, mocha, allspice, raspberry & touch of vanilla. Medium body, good acidity, medium tannins & medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: This is not your powerhouse Zin with high alcohol, which will appeal to those that like Zins but don’t want it as the main course for dinner.

Easy drinking on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted: 2 Jan 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 (on sale 10/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 359257