Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dry Creek Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: J Pedroncelli Winery
Alcohol: 15.2 %
Description: A beautiful medium ruby colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is a smooth, not jammy Zin, considering the 15.2% alcohol. The wine features cedar, plums, raisins, dark cherry, raspberry, Christmas cake, chili peppers, All-spice & black peppers. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 15.2% alcohol.

Interesting Point: I really like the rich looking label/bottling. Made more in an old world style wine, not a fruit bomb, and easy to pair with different styles of food.

Drink now or over the next 5 years, on its own or pair it with BBQ ribs.

Tasted: 5 Nov 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Score: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 463026

Cost: $18.50
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mudhouse Wine Company Ltd.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium minus ruby to garnet in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A simple fruit forward Pinot featuring pine, Bing cherries, sour cherries, cranberry, pomegranate and finishing with a bit of earthiness. Medium to medium minus in body & tannins with good acidity & a fairly decent length.

Negatives: A little too much tartness at the back of the throat. There’s quite a bit of heat coming from the listed 13.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Chill this more than you would normally chill a Pinot to bring out the fruit & lessen the affect of alcohol. Try around 10-12 C.

Drink now on its own or pair it with roast duck.

Tasted: 31 Oct 12 Happy Hallowe’en

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 190462

Cost: $24.90
Grape Variety: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 21% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale & Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a highly intense nose.

Positives: Lots of flavours happening in this wine. Cedar, Ribena, cherry cola, prunes, raisins, menthol, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric, red & black pepper, all-spice, cassis, star anise, cinnamon & cloves. Full body, medium+ tannins and acidity with a long length.

Negatives: There is some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: LCBO has this wine on clearance now, from 29.95 to 24.90. The 07 is not as good as the 06, but with the new price its definitely worth the buy.

Drink now on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted 28 Oct 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 907584

Cost: $12.90
Grape Variety: Syrah, Grenache & Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Coteaux du Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: La Sauvageonne
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, blackberry, Ribena,  pomegranate, black & white pepper. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch on the watery side. This may be past its prime.

Interesting Point: This product is on clearance at the LCBO. Original price was $18.95. This wine is worth buying at its new price.

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal steak.

Tasted: 28 Oct 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 223669