Konzelmann shiraz 2011

Got it at LCBO but forgot the price - was under $20.
Konzelmann is a local winery in Ontario - Niagara-on-the-Lake.

13% alcohol.
Deep burgundy, opaque colour.
Bouquet of vanilla, cigarettes, leather.
Nice spice and bite, moderate tannins.
Not too complex.
Label suggests barbecued meats, I would also drink this with a smoked cheese.
One of the better shiraz I've had - 4.5/5.

Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah, Chile 2010

Guest wine taster!
Her comments:
Rich in colour, fruity smell, very aromatic, smooth, warming, full-bodied.

My comments:
Deep violet, burgundy colour, bouquet of blackberries, sort of woody.
surprisingly sweet, not too spicy, juicy, 
notes of dark chocolate

From botttle: "Character: Lively red and black pepper. Rich and spicy on palate, with ripe tannins and a lingering finish."

From LCBO website: Tasting Note 
Dark purple in colour; aromas of spice, wood & cigar; full-bodied with flavours of black cherry & spice; tannic finish. 
I would say this is less full flavored than some shiraz (same type of wine). But very drinkable. 8/10.

14% alcohol. $18.95 at LCBO

Robert Mondavi Private Collection 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon

13.5 % alcohol
17.95 at LCBO

Woody and fruity aroma.
Super smooth, immediate hints of vanilla.  Mild spiciness. Very well balanced.
From label: "flavors of blackberry and plum, rounded out with a smooth oak finish."
I do get a berry-like quality, not sure about plum though. The oak is noticeable but not overwhelming.
Probably best on its own or with milder flavoured food. Maybe a nutty cheese.
4.7/5.

Fat Bastard Shiraz

2010
Thierry & Guy
France
13.5% alcohol

Fat Bastard is one of the labels people seem to name drop a lot (at least i've seen it a lot).  It's a pretty popular  brand.  Herbal/spicy aroma, orangey red tinted color.  Fruity taste, but not too acidic.  Buttery and smooth aftertaste.

trapiche reserve  malbec
14 % alcohol
2010 argentina

dark purple, semi clear
bright aroma, flora, kind of woody
nice and acid, sweeter
very smooth
almost herbal
earthy

mclaren vale
2010
14.9 % alcohol
by mitolo
australia


dark reddish purple, opaque
peppery aroma
smooth
bitter dark chocolate

Wines

toasted head chardonnay
california
2010

14.5% alcohol

greenish yellow colour
almost syrupy

immediate sweetness on the tongue
crisp
silky

Wine Haul

This is my first wine "haul" entry.  I'm using that word kind of ironically; it's gotten a bunch of connotations lately which I think are amusing.  Anyway, I bought:

This is a 2010 Malbec from Argentina. Trapiche reserve.  $11.95











This is a 2010 Shiraz from Australia, McLaren Vale.    I have another wine from McLaren Vale reviewed earlier (the Jester Shiraz, a bit more pricey). $16.30

I also bought a toasted head Chardonnay from Califoria, but it's in the fridge, and I'll take the picture when I open it up! $17.95

Guilty Men Malivoire

Quite an interesting name.  I got this as a contribution to a wine and cheese party I threw with some friends, but we didn't get around to it, so I ended up opening it a bit later (and taking notes on the back of a paper placemat).

This is an Ontario wine.  2009 Red VQA Niagara.
12.5 % alcohol.

What is VQA?  VQA stands for Vinters Quality Alliance Act. It's not a branding organization, but rather a regulatory organization.   It is the wine authority of Ontario, I'm guessing sort of like the wine police.
http://www.vqaontario.ca/Home

Now on to the wine!
The wine it fairly clear, with a golden/red warm colour.  The inital aromas are of coffee and black pepper.  It's pretty fruity/juicy, with a tannin bite and a dry finish.  I liked it.

Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Shiraz 2010 Australia

Gift from a friend.
13.5% alcohol.

Dark, opaque purple-red.  Sweet, almost jammy, very smooth: lots of tannins.  Not very acid.  Less of the bitter/coffee/cocoa found in other shiraz.

Wondering how you can get the texture of tannins without the bitter.