Canadian Wine Guy » Chile

ESPIRITU DE CHILE SAUVIGNON BLANC

John Galea — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:16:08 +0000

Sauvignon blanc is quickly becoming one of my favorite white wines. I find them very food friendly. This particular one is very pale in color with some mild citrus and some grassy smells coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine has some varietal Sauv Blanc flavors with mild citrus, and lemon coming through. This wine is very light on the finish. There’s nothing horrible about this wine, but nothing great either. For a few bucks more I think there are much better wines out there. This is a thin, flabby wine with not a lot going on. I’d give it an 86 or so …

From the LCBO web site:
ESPIRITU DE CHILE SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 60640 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.00
Wine, White Wine 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in: Chile, Chile By: Espiritu De Chile Limited

Tasting Note
An elegantly structured Sauvignon Blanc which impresses with its pronounced fruit notes. Aromas of peach and citrus blend perfectly with spicy freshness and subdued earthy tones.

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MONTES CLASSIC SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009

John Galea — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:45:08 +0000

I’ve been on a roll with great Chilean Sauv blancs. Sadly this one breaks the role. The wine is pale in color very mild on the nose. The wine has some strong green flavors and some tartness (not quite bitter) on the finish. This wine is not horrible, but not to my tastes. There are better wines with more complex flavors and a better finish. The wine is reasonably food friendly but the flavor is just not there. I bought this one on a flyer with no research. I would give it an 86 or so. For me they missed the mark.

From the LCBO web site:
MONTES CLASSIC SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 159954 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 12.95
Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Montes S.A.

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VIU MANENT RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

John Galea — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:47:21 +0000

I tasted this one at the Churchhill wine cellars annual portfolio tasting event. The wine is dark in color, with a definitely varietal cab on the nose. There is a hint of smoke and wood on the nose as well. On the mid pallet are some nice varietal cab flavors, cherries and cassis. On the finish the wine is medium with a slight tartness. Likely needs some breathing or aging or both. Not a bad wine for the price. I would give it an 88-89 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
VIU MANENT RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 VINTAGES 59196 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 15.95
Wine, Red Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Chile, Chile By: Viu Manent

Release Date: Feb 6, 2010

Description
‘I think the Viu Manent range is probably the best in Chile: these are serious wines with real structure, good acidity, and loads of personality … ‘ (Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com, Sept. 11, 2009)

Tasting Note
(Translated from the French) This Cabernet Sauvignon has been crafted with fruit from 55-year-old vines … Deep ruby-black to shades of purple in colour, the nose reveals toasty aromas mixed with vanilla, roasted dry fruits and prune. The appealing palate displays a nice balance between the woody notes, vanilla, cassis and cherry flavours followed by fine tannins on the finish. Score – Silver Medal. (Judges panel, Vinalies Internationales, 2009)

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Santa Julia Reserva Chardonnay 2008

John Galea — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:53:13 +0000

A while back I did a write up on a number of Chilean Sauv Blancs that I tasted at the Chilean wine event. At the event I tasted a number of Chards but did not find too many I enjoyed. Bargains were hard to find. I like Chards. I find them a challenging food match but enjoy the variety and complexity of chards. This one is pale in color mild on the nose. The bouquet is varietal chard. On the mid pallet are some lovely varietal chard flavors with some slight butter and creamyness. On the finish the wine has some lovely tartness. The finish is medium in length with oak and alcohols well under control. This is a very good chard and when you factor in the price this is a bargain. I would give this an 89 or so. Give it a try if you like chards!

From the LCBO web site:
SANTA JULIA RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2008 VINTAGES 932368 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 13.95
Wine, White Wine, 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: Argentina, Argentina By: Familia Zuccardi

Release Date: Jan 23, 2010

Tasting Note
This is a flavourful and vibrant Chardonnay with a pure fruit profile in perfect harmony with its oak character. The aromas speak of apple, ripe pear, buttered toast and tropical fruit. It’s dry, round and full-bodied with the ripe fruit, toasty oak and buttery flavours kept in line by zippy acidity that enliven the palate and make the taste buds pop. There’s good length on the finish, too, making it the complete package. Serve with grilled prawns, crab legs or herbed chicken. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2009)

From winecurrent.com:
Santa Julia Reserva Chardonnay 2008 Mendoza. 13.5% alcohol This is named after owner Don Zuccardis only daughter who was instrumental in the expansion of his export business. Its pale gold bright and aromatic with rich ripe tree fruits vanilla and traces of toasty oak. Flavors of ripe pears sweet apples and honeyed oak are balanced with fresh acidity to create an appealing and vivacious wine. Well balanced the finish is long and buttery. Its paired perfectly with take-out rotisserie chicken. This gained its final Â½ star on value. (Susan Desjardins) Fortified Wine (932368) $13.95 Featured 1/23/2010. 4.5/5 stars

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Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay 2008

John Galea — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:34 +0000

This is another one from the Chilean wine event That I decided to give a more thorough review. Again this is another well priced wine. I did not find a lot of good chards at the event, but this one was ok. The wine is light yellow in color. Not as golden as some, but not as pale as others. On the nose the wine is quite mild, a little chard coming through but not a lot. On the mid pallet the wine is a combination of a slightly tart Sauv Blanc like and some slightly sweet chard flavors. On the finish the wine is quite mild with some of the tartness sticking around on the tongue. This is by no means a boisterous chard. It is a smooth, well refined wine. I would say it actually tastes more like a Sauv Blanc truth be told. My GF who hates chards actually did not mind it, a true testament to it’s lack of varietal flavors. One could even say it had more of a chablis like taste. I would give it an 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
SANTA CAROLINA CHARDONNAY RSV LCBO 304022 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.85
Wine, White Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Santa Carolina

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; light toasty notes with peach and apple fruit; medium-bodied with toasty, tropical fruit flavours
Check LCBO stock

CONO SUR VIOGNIER 2009

John Galea — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:36:28 +0000

Another wine from the Chilean wine event. The wine is quite pale in color. On the nose it is more Sauv Blanc than Viognier. On the mid pallet is is quite dry with some peach and grapfruit tastes. It’s medium in length. I would give it an 88 or so. Not a bad wine for the price at all!

From the LCBO:
CONO SUR VIOGNIER 2009 LCBO 64287 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 9.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 13.7% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Tocornal

Tasting Note
Pale gold colour; tropical fruit aromas with melon, peach and orange blossom notes; dry, medium bodied, with great acidity and flavours of grapefruit, peach, green apple and pineapple; good length on the finish.

Check LCBO stock

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauv Blanc 2009

John Galea — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:51:40 +0000

This is another of the wines I first tasted at the Chilean Wine event. The wine is quite pale in color as would be expected from a Sauv Blanc. On the nose there is a dominance of grassyness with little else shining through. On the mid pallet there are green fruit flavors and grassyness to match the bouquet. On the finish there are lots of tart flavors on a medium finish. The wine is quite young and it shows in the greenness. There are no sweet flavors to balance the tartness. The description on the back of bottle mentioned pineapple as a flavor. If it’s pineapple it sure isn’t the sweet golden pineapple but rather an unripe green pineapple. For my tastes this is an ok wine and especially for the price but I wouldn’t run out to grab a pile. I would give it an 87 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
SANTA CAROLINA SAUV BLANC RSV LCBO 337535 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.85
Wine, White Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Santa Carolina

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; fresh, green apple aromas with a hint of lime zest; dry, medium bodied with a lemony palate.
Check LCBO Stock

MONTGRAS SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVA 2008

John Galea — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:53:05 +0000

My Daddy always taught me, get the most for the least, and barter for everything. Well strangely enough bartering does not work in the LCBO but good deals can be had. I first tasted this wine and wrote it up after the Chilean wine event and decided it needed a longer look. This is another of the general list Chileans so is VERY available.

The wine is quite pale in color as one would expect from a Sauv Blanc. On the nose the wine is mild and pleasing with the usual citrus bouquet and hardly any grassyness. On the mid pallet are some usual citrus flavors to go with the bouquet. This one is not as sweet as some and is quite dry. On the finish are some mildly tart flavors with some of the grassyness coming through. The finish is on the lighter side of medium. All in all this is a gentler, more subtle Sauv Blanc. Quite food friendly. I paired it with spicy tandoori chicken and it held up well. I would give this one an 87-88. For the price this is quite good. I’m impressed with how consistent these inexpensive wines are!

From the LCBO web site:
MONTGRAS SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVA LCBO 58362 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 14.2% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Montgras

Tasting Note
Pale lemon yellow colour with hints of green; intense fresh scents of citrus, gooseberry, and cut grass; light bodied, racy acidity, displaying flavours of lemon zest, grass, and green apple.

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J. BOUCHON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007

John Galea — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:32:55 +0000

I had this one as a house wine at Spice. The wine is quite pale in color. Nice grassy lemon on the bouquet with a hint of sweetness. On the mid pallet there are citrus and grassy flavors to match the bouquet. On the finish the wine has a touch of tartness and is on the lighter side of medium. For a $9.20 bottle of wine it was quite enjoyable. Very food friendly. We had it with a Cantonese chow mein and it went well. This is yet another bargain priced Chilean Sauv Blanc. I am truely on a roll! I would give it an 88-89 ish.

From the LCBO web site:

J. BOUCHON SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 531749 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 9.20
Wine, White Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vinedos J. Bouchon Y Cia. Ltda.

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; citrus and peach fruit with gentle grassy notes; dry, with fine balancing acidity, light tropical fruit, melon and citrus on the palate; dry, crisp and well balanced on the finish.

Check LCBO stock

ERRAZURIZ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009

John Galea — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:04:20 +0000

I first tasted this wine at the Chilean Wine event and felt it needed a more thorough tasting. I grabbed a few of these since they are on sale. The wine is pale in color with a strong lemon/grassy bouquet. On the pallet are lots of tart flavors with the lemon and grass from the bouquet coming through in spades. This wine is quite sharp on it’s own. Not a bad thing, but if your looking for something mild this isn’t it. The flavors are VERY reminiscent of a Kim Crawford that I consider the benchmark in this class but more pronounced. Maybe one might even say less refined. Given this wine is 1/2 the price of Crawford that’s high praise. On the finish the wine is medium in length quite good again for the price. We paired it with a roast chicken and it went extremely well. The chicken took some of the sharpness off and the wine added lots of lovely flavors to the chicken!

The description on the bottle says “Vibrant and refreshing dry style with a zingy citrus fruit character.” Quite a good description!

I would give this an 88-89. It would be interesting to see if it becomes a little more refined with aging. I doubt it would keep a long time but 6 months to a year might make a world of difference. Given the “sale” price, jump out and grab some! By the way this is general list so VERY available!

The Gourmet food and wine show is coming up Nov 19th – 22nd, hope to see you there!

ERRAZURIZ SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 263574 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.40
Limited Time Offer Was: $ 11.90 Now: $ 10.40 Save: $ 1.50 Until Nov 8, 2009
Wine, White Wine, 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Errazuriz S.A.

Tasting Note
Pale straw in colour, this medium bodied white has fresh grassy aromas, with lots of citrus and green apple, the citrus carries through on the palate and the finish is dry and refreshing

Check LCBO Stock

Chilean wine event

John Galea — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:00:31 +0000

I attended the Chilean wine event in the distillery district on Toronto. This is my first time to the press event. I have been to the public event and found it over crowded to the point of fighting to get near the wines. The press event was much more manageable for me.

The event has a lot more general list wines in comparison to other events. This means there are a lot more simple wines which is a different but not bad thing. A lot more wines are below the $15 mark and only a few above $40. This sets the stage for expectations.

Event Summary

I started the event by focusing on whites. I don’t have a lot of experience with whites from Chile so this was a great opportunity. I discovered Chile make some lovely rich vibrant Sauvignon Blancs for very reasonable prices. I only found a few Chardonnays that were to my tastes. From a red point of view Chile have some Shirazs but they are much more a syrah than a Shiraz with little to no pepper on the finish. They really need to embrace the syrah. Chile also make a number of Cabernet Sauvignons. Their cabs are quite different than say a Napa cab and don’t have that distinctive deep cassis cherry flavor that Napa is famous for. There are lots of smooth well balanced cabs to enjoy. Chile is well known for there Carmenere. This is a grape well known to Chile and generally is a well balanced fruit forward Cabernet Sauvignon like grape. I didn’t find one Merlot that I thought was good. There was food at the event but to be honest I was still full from lunch so I didn’t try any of it.

The event is fast and furious and it’s not possible to taste everything (at least not for me) and the reviews end up being mini reviews. I ended up tasting 44 wines. Some wines I have chosen would be be worthy of a follow up in which case I’d like to get a bottle and do a more thorough tasting.

Wines that stood out that are in the LCBO

Here are the wines that stood out for me that are currently available in the LCBO (that I could find listings for):
Cono Sur Viognier 2008 $9.95
- this was the biggest longest wine of the evening. For the price this wine is a bargain. Jump out and grab some of this and try it for yourself
- quite tart
- totally unexpected for a Viognier
- slightly vinegary on the finish
- worthy of a more detailed review

From LCBO Web site:
CONO SUR VIOGNIER LCBO 64287 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 9.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 13.7% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Tocornal

Errazuriz Estate Sauv Blanc 2008 $11.90
- very New Zealand like grassy smell and flavor
- reminded me a lot of Kim Carawford at half the price!
- nice fruit med length
- best of show sauv blanc!
Full review

From the LCBO web site:
ERRAZURIZ SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 263574 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.40
Limited Time Offer Was: $ 11.90 Now: $ 10.40 Save: $ 1.50 Until Nov 8, 2009
Wine, White Wine, 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Errazuriz S.A.

Tasting Note
Pale straw in colour, this medium bodied white has fresh grassy aromas, with lots of citrus and green apple, the citrus carries through on the palate and the finish is dry and refreshing
Check LCBO Stock
More detailed review

Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2007 $17.95
- mild on the nose
- no pepper more of a syrah than a shiraz. Some cab flavors
- quite dry
- worth a more detailed review
From the LCBO web site:
ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVE SHIRAZ LCBO 614750 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.85
Wine, Red Wine, 14.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Errazuriz S.A.

Tasting Note
Dark purple in colour; aromas of spice, wood & cigar; full-bodied with flavours of black cherry & spice; tannic finish.
Check LCBO stock

Tarapaca Sauv Blanc 2009 $10.99
- mild light easy drinking not bad at all for the price
From the LCBO web site:
VINA TARAPACA SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 414185 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 9.15
Limited Time Offer Was: $ 9.90 Now: $ 9.15 Save: $ 0.75 Until Nov 8, 2009
Wine, White Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Tarapaca Ex Zavala

Tasting Note
Light yellow straw colour; aromas and flavours of gooseberry, herbs and green apples; dry, light- to medium-bodied with softer acidity; with a soft finish
Check LCBO stock
More detailed review

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauv Blanc 2009 $10.95
- mild bouquet
- slightly tart, nice finish worth a longer look especially based on the price
From the LCBO web site:
SANTA CAROLINA SAUV BLANC RSV LCBO 337535 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.85
Wine, White Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Santa Carolina

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; fresh, green apple aromas with a hint of lime zest; dry, medium bodied with a lemony palate.
Check LCBO Stock
More detailed review

Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay 2008 $10.95
- med fruit slightly buttery and smooth, for the price this is well worth another look!
More detailed review of this wine
From the LCBO web site:
SANTA CAROLINA CHARDONNAY RSV LCBO 304022 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.85
Wine, White Wine, 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Santa Carolina

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; light toasty notes with peach and apple fruit; medium-bodied with toasty, tropical fruit flavours
Check LCBO stock

Valdi Vieso Reserva Chardonnay $17.95
- lovely smooth buttery california style chard. Quite good. Well worth another look!
- second best chard of the evening (there single vineyard was even more intense but not available)
From the LCBO web site:
VALDIVIESO RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2006 VINTAGES 981621 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.25
Wine, White Wine, 14.1% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Valdivieso S.A. Release Date: Dec 6, 2008

Description
A veritable fruit salad of flavours and aromas, this Chardonnay is packed with juicy pear, nectarine, banana and peach. Vibrant and inviting, it provides a flavourful counterpoint to chicken in cream-based sauces.
Check LCBO stock

Montgras Sauv Blanc Reserva 2008 $11.95
- mild bouquet
- nice fruit, lighter on the finish
From the LCBO web site:
MONTGRAS SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVA LCBO 58362 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 14.2% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Montgras

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2008 $10.95
- varietal colors, bouquet and flavors
- light on the finish typical of a pinot
- bargain for the price!
From the LCBO web site:
CONO SUR PINOT NOIR LCBO 341602 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.95
Wine, Red Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Tocornal

Tasting Note
Ruby red colour; cherries, earth and berries with a touch of spice in both aroma and flavour; dry, light to medium-body, quite lively on the palate, with mild tannin and a rounded fruity finish.
Check LCBO stock

Other wines tasted

Anakena Single Vineyard Sauv Blanc 2008 $14.95 (not in the LCBO for now)
- smooth easy drinking varietal sauv blanc

Anakena Single Vineyard Carmenere 2007 $14.95
- quite nice not as fruit forward as some
- more cab like flavors
- worthy of a more detailed tasting when it comes out
- not available in LCBO for now

Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier $14.95
- quite good, tasty
- suppose to be coming out in January
- not available in LCBO for now

Anakena Single Vineyard Cab Sauv $14.95
- non descript light in flavor
- not available in LCBO for now

Carta Vieja G7 Reserva Carmenere 2008 $14.95
- not bad slightly tart on the finish
- some cab like fruit
- slightly oaky
- not available in LCBO for now

Carta Vieja G7 Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2007 $17.95
- this is a lovely California style chard. Slightly buttery, lovely chard bouquet.
- third best chard of the show!
- not available in LCBO for now

Vina Chocalan Malvilla Chardonnnay 2008 $23.45
- more Sauv blanc than chard, slightly tart not a great chard for the money
- suppose to be LCBO number 145524 but I could not find it

Concha Y Toro Trio 2008 Chard/Pinot Grigo/Pinot Blanc Blend $12.95
- got a 90 from Robert Parker
- slightly tart, more chablis in style than a california style
- suppose to be released in Feb

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay $17.95
- Nov 7th release
- slight tart more chablis in style, no butteryness
- no secondary fermentation
- lots of fruit in the flavors!

Cono Sur Merlot 2008 $9.95
- a mild wine with some varietal Merlot flavors
- some mild mid pallet fruit flavors
Check LCBO stock

Cono Sur Organic Cab Sauv/Carmenere 2008 $13.95
- not available at the LCBO
- the carmenere was dominant in the flavors
- fruit forward, slightly sweet

Cousino Macul Sauvignon Gris 2008
- not available in the LCBO
- this is not a blend but a unique grape
- green grassy smell
- wood, light on the fruit

Cousino Macul Don Matias Sauv Blanc $12.95
- not available in the LCBO
- smooth light slightly fruity
- varietal bouquet

Errazuriz Max Reserva Cab Sauv 2007
- smooth lighter on the finish slightly dry not a bad Chilean cab
Check LCBO stock

Estampa Reserve Carmenere/Cab Sauv/Cab Franc $15.95
- not in the LCBO
- totally non descript with a blend like this I was expecting a whole lot more. A disappointment

Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Shiraz 2007 $16.95
- more of a syrah than a shiraz, nice and smooth no pepper quite reasonable
- not in the LCBO

Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Camenere 2007 $16.95
- smooth non descript nothing special
- not in the LCBO

Luis Felipe Edwards Rosa Blanca Cab Sauv 2007 $13.95
- smooth easy drinking cab, lighter side
- not in the LCBO

Luis Felipe Edwards Reserva Malbec 2008 $12.95
- 14% alcohol which is quite noticeable
- lots of dried fruit flavors
- totally nice for the price
- not in the LCBO

Vina Maipo Gran Devocion Carmerere/Syrah 2008 $19.95
- not in the LCBO
- smooth easy drinking wine

Vina Maipo Reserva Merlot 2008 $13.95
- not at all varietal Merlot
- smooth easy drinking wine
Check LCBO Stock

Montgras Intriga Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $19.95
- yummy smooth deep cab, deep on the finish
- supposedly LCBO number 57901 but I couldn’t find it

Nativa Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
- Dec 5th release LCBO number 975359
- slightly bitter mild cab

Nativa Cabo de Hornos Cab/Syrah/Malbec $80
- smooth easy drinking wine but not worth the price

Nativa San Pedro 1865 Cab Sauv 2007 $24.99
- lovely and smooth worth another look, unfortunately not in the LCBO

Tarapaca Reserva Sauv Blanc 2009 $19.99
- not a whole lot better than the non reserve, not worth the extra money
- not in the LCBO

Santa Rita Medalla Real Chardonnay 2007 $18.95
- lighly oaked mild in flavor more of a chablis style
Check LCBO stock

Santa Rita Casa Real Cab Sauv 2005 $59.95
- smooth easy drinking but so not worth the money for my tastes
- not in the LCBO

Sena Arboleda Merlot 2007 $18.95
- not varietal non descript … yawn

Valdi Vieso Reserva Cab Sauv 2006 $17.95
- deep medium fruit
- dry not sweet at all, slightly bitter
Check LCBO stock

Valdi Vieso Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 $22.60
- even better than the one above, quite deep rich chard very yummy for the price. Unfortunately not in the LCBO
- best in show Chard

Vina Ventisquero Reserva Shiraz 2008 $13.95
- sweeter fruit forward wine not great

Vina Ventisquero Queulat Syrah 2007 $18.99
- lovely deep and rich syrah, shame it’s not in the LCBO

Vina Tabali Reserva Syrah 2007 $16.95
- slightly bitter not all that smooth definitely one of the more edgey syrah’s of the evening (but not in a good way)
Check LCBO stock

Vina Terra Noble Gran Reserve Carmere $16.95
- smooth easy drinking not fruit forward Carmenere
Check LCBO Stock