Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angeline Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple easygoing, non-offensive Pinot

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, light rhubarb and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None if chilled properly

Interesting Notes: Keep it chilled as if it warms up negatives such as sweet fruits such as prunes, cherry pie and dates show up

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with BBQ pulled pork sliders.

Tasted: 12 Feb 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 396143

Cost: $17.95 (On sale $15.95 until 1 March 15)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Matua
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lot to offer for a Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, rhubarb, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, cinnamon, smoked amber and a touch of forest. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Sweet potato crusted salmon on a bed of spinach & roasted tomato quinoa with a grainy dijon & dill Chimichurri (as per Chef Carl Dahl executive chef from Julia & Ritorno restaurants)

Tasted: 10 Feb 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 358952

Cost: $16.95 Clearance
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: BNA Wine Group
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking wine for under $20, Did I mention that’s for a Napa Cab?!

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, arugula and Radicchio. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Interesting notes: Bought this at LCBO clearance price. The winery sells this for $24.69 US, but in reading the prices in the States, looks like $15 is the norm, which is an excellent price. At this price I would get a case.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak grilled with sage, parsley and lemon zest infused compound butter.

Tasted: 21 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nationional, Sousã
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Borges
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full and rich flavour

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, raisins, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor, figs, champagne mushrooms and mint. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: As this wine will get better with age, I would suggest decanting for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Duck served with wild mushrooms and fig sauce.

Tasted: 28 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 358762