Cost: $18.95 (Sale price: $15.20)
Grape: Xinomaro
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boutari
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 140111

Cost: $22.25
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Waterstone Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Gorgeous!

Description: Medium light garnet colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, strawberry, rhubarb, cloves, cola, vanilla, fresh peat moss, smouldering embers and violets on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck Breast with Pomegranate-Plum Glaze.

Tasted: 8 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: Special order

Cost: $24.75
Grape: 58% Syrah, 33% Carménère, 4% Petit Syrah, 3% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lius Felipe Edwards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

From the bottle to the wine, this wine feels & taste expensive, but isn’t!

Description: Deep purple to ruby in colour with a high intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, espresso, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco leaves, oregano, sage and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: The vineyards that yield this wine are located 900 meters above sea level thus the name.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Rosemary Mint Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 15 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 431809

Cost: $21.95
Grape: 70% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casarena
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine that’s juicy, complex, full flavoured & balanced at a price well below what it taste like

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plum, raisins, anise, cassis, spearmint, thyme, turmeric, arugula and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Interesting abstract label

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Bone-In Rib Eye with roasted red peppers.

Tasted: 29 March 2016

Best buy & Top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 366104