Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Two Hands Wines
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque purple/ruby with med+ intensity. Nose shows plum, cinnamon, some sandalwood, dates, spiced apple, cloves. Complexed nose. On the palate, good acidity which is a surprise considering the typical Aussie nose. More raisin than plum, dates & a fair amount of green, which is surprising. The high alcohol is felt at the end deep down the throat. Young tannins, makes this wine more linear. Lacks depth. Needs aging for another 5 yrs.

Tasted: March 2011

Score: 6/10, Value: 5/10, Total: 11/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 1.5

LCBO#:9480

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscani
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marchesi De Frescobaldi
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium minus intensity, but what intensity it has it is quite wonderful. Cedar, black & blueberries, wild strawberry, cherry & anise dominate. The taste isn’t as nice as the nose. High acidity with med+ tannins makes this wine a little astringent. Med body, med length that shows cedar, leather, sour cherry & pomegranate. This wine should soften in the next 3-5 yrs. Decant & let it stand for an hour before drinking.

Tasted 30 April 2011

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO# 145920

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Fetish Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Traditional Barossa Shiraz, big big & big, without the structure. This wine is inky purple to ruby & dark in colour. Nose is med+ intensity, showing stewed plums, black currents, mocha, vanilla bean, raspberry jam, white pepper and nutmeg. On the palate this a full body wine showing medium minus acidity and tannins, and hence lacking in structure. The high alcohol on the after taste lends itself to some heat, but it also has a fairly long length to it. The notes on the palate are the same as on the nose. This wine is medium complex that pairs well with roasted peppers, but will challenge most foods due to the high alcohol and lack of structure, so enjoy it on a summer night by the fire.

Tasted: 24 April 2011

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 3.5

LCBO#219196

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: France       
Region: Vin De Pays D’oc  
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  George Duboeuf
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Description:Dark purple to ruby in colour. On the nose, Med+ intensity, showing prunes, dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, some mushrooms and a little cedar. On the palate, low tannins, med acidity, med to full body, balanced with a med length. Taste is the same as the nose. Not a complex wine, and a little to jammy for my taste in a Pinot. On a blind I would pick this as a California Merlot. This wine is a good introduction to people who don’t know Pinots, or those that don’t like a Burgundian style or as a matter of fact, Oregon and New Zealand’s Central Otago Pinots. Drink this wine now, on its own or with food. Paired well with Marigold Chicken & Exotic Mushroom Ballontine made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

Tasted: 19 April 2011

Score: 6.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Cost: $49.00
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sierra Cantabria
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark purple/ruby with highly intense nose. Purple lilacs, sandalwood, cedar & pine, cloves, blueberry, mulberry, dark cherry, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate & eucalyptus (due to the high alcohol). Highly complex nose, almost reminds me of a good quality Napa Meritage. On the taste less complex & a let down from the nose (absolutely love the nose). Dry, med+ acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, long length, med+ body & balanced. Shows cedar, blueberry, mulberry, dark & sour cherry, leather, fennel & pomegranate. It lost points for noticeable high alcohol on taste & a let down from nose to taste. It could have been an outstanding wine, but now it’s just a good one. Bought it on sale for $34.35.

Tasted 18 April 2011.

Score: 9/10, Value: 6/10 (7.5/10 sale price), Total: 15/20 & 16.5/20 respectively. FYI nose is a 10/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO# 195735

Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Cab.-sauv./merlot/petit verdot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cool Hand Vineyards Llc
Alcohol: 15.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque inky ruby colour, med+ intensity, I can smell the vapors of alcohol. Cedar, cassis, blackberry, menthol, basil, cigar box. High complexity showing warm climate style. Taste has med+ tannins, med acid, balanced, full body, with high alcohol. Taste is mild compared to the nose. Cedar, black currants, some cranberry, leather notes, twiggy, spinach which gives it a bit of a green bite. Not worth the price. Score: 7, Value: 4, Total: 11/20 After being opened up for 2hrs, the nose is more fragrant with carnations & blueberry pie. On taste it was still linear, but does open up with mulberry & dark cherry. The spinach turns more to artichoke. Long finish. Score improves a bit, 7.5. Nose is 9.5

52% cab, 42% merlot, 6% petit verdot

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO# 218909

Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cool Hand Vineyards Llc
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Med garnet, med+ intensity on the nose. A lot going on with rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pine, allspice, violets & earth tones. On the palate, dry, soft tannins, med+ acidity, med- weight, balanced, long length. Rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, suede, pine & light earth tones. Complex wine, good quality. Food friendly or drink on it’s own. Compliments turkey well. Score: 9+/10, value: 8+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Tasted: 8 April 2011

LCBO #218958