Cost: $149.95
Grape Variety: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 15.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Weighty price, heavy bottle, hefty flavour

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, mocha, cappuccino, Allspice, cherry tobacco, turmeric and vanilla. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 15.2% alcohol

Interesting Point: Tasted this wine in several style glassware, including the Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux and even the Pinot Noir style. An interesting find with the latter as it eliminated the traditional green notes that initially dominated the finishing notes in the other styles. However, after being allowed to breathe in the Sommelier glass for a while it was elegant, silky and just plain delicious. Decant for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Porterhouse Lamb Chops with Garlic Herb Mashed potatoes.

Tasted: 16 March 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO:329375 Old skew number: 967992

Cost: $70.00
Grape: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Online
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concha Y Toro
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.

Tasted: 10 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO Online: 403980

Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, juicy, not overpowering, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, plum, pumpkin spice, damp moss and light wood smoke. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity, a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and lightly chill.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Smoked Venison Roast.

Tasted: 12 February 2016

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 438549

Cost: $27.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $23.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose is like a $150 Napa Cab, the taste is more like $50 Napa Cab, but the price is only $27.95 Sonoma

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, black olives, cinnamon, cloves, figs, smoked cherry pipe tobacco, chocolate covered raisins, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pistachio and Coriander Crusted Rack of Lamb with lamb jus and port wine emulsion.

Tasted: 2 February 2016

Top Pick & Best Buy at sale price

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 350454

Cost: $117.99 (Cayman Dollars) Sale for January $80.99 [LCBO $179.95]
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gaja
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Is there something beyond delicious?

Description: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ nose. This complex wine features cedar, pine needles, wild cherry, cranberry, boysenberry, mulberry, roasted red peppers, roasted walnuts, white truffles, sage, leather, underbrush and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine as my Christmas present

Drink now or in the next 15 of years on its own or pair it with prime rib au jus

Tasted: 14 January 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO: 694397 (Currently not in stores)

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Ostatu
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, well balanced & simply delicious

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, blueberry, dried cherry, plum, orange zest, cola, cigar box, sage, rosemary, curried meats, Allspice and white pepper. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sourced from 50 year old vines, and aged in French oak for 16 months.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Sausage and Sage Lasagna.

Tasted: 30 Oct 2015

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 379909