2014 1st Half Summary - Reds

Jesse, still a Pup at 18 mos.

The 69 Reds tasted from January 1st through June 30 this year are listed below sequenced by rating.  Shown in brackets is the month of tasting where the original notes can be found.  There are 24 wines rated 90 and above. These are considered not lacking in any aspect and are excellent to sip and to complement a meal. Another twenty-seven in the 85 to 89 range are enjoyable but lack in minor degrees of fullness, varietal character or some other element. Eighteen are 84 and below - these may be consumable but not necessarily enjoyable in some way. See the side panel for more background.

The value that is hyphenated to the rating indicates whether a wine is 'worth the price', one that I'd buy in 'multiples', or one I'd buy in 'quantity'.  See the side panel for more background. Click here for the 1st half WHITES+.
 
Consider this one person's view and perhaps a starting point if it helps. 

Note:
The LCBO has changed their search routine for finding wines and where they are in the Province. See side panel for more detail... I'm returning to use the Vintages and LCBO to avoid a LCBO Online Search graphic. 
...btw, a search for test labels 'Big Head' and '5 Vineyards' on any of the search sites produces meaningless results.



Cheers, Ww

Reds:

• Shiloh Shor Cabernet Sauvignon KP 2007,  95-2  --  V, Judean Hills, Israel, #282947 $32.95  (Mar)
• Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz Grenache 2011, 94-3 --  V, Penwortham, South Australia, #009225 $19.95  (Mar)    
• Domaine des Fées Côtes du Rhône 2012, 93-3  --  V, Rhône, France, #272450 $15.95  (Mar)
• Chilensis Lazuli 2010, 93-3  -- V, Maule Valley, Chile, #348128  $17.95  (Jan)
• The Foreign Affair 'The Conspiracy' 2012 VQA  Niagara Peninsula, 93-3  --  V, Vineland, Ontario, #149237  $19.95  (Mar)
• Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec 2011, 92a/c-3  --  V, Tupungato, Argentina, #339788 $17.95  (Jan)
• Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz 2011, 92-2  --  V, Penwortham, Australia, #925453 $19.95  (May)
• Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2010, 92-2  --  V, Sonoma, California, #330241 $27.95  (Jan)
• Bodegas Castano Hecula Monastrell 2011, 91a-3  --  G, Yecla, Spain, #300673 $11.80  (Feb)
•  Alta Vista Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 91-2  --   V, Mendoza, Argentina,  #129957 $14.95  (Jun)
• Romain Duvernay Cairanne 2010, 91-2  --  V,  Rhône, France, #320465 $16.75  (Jan)
• Valdemar Inspiraciòn Selecciòn 2010, 91-2  --  V,  Rioja, Spain, #166512 $17.00  (Jun)
• Feudi San Pio Valpolicella Classico Ripasso Superiore 2012,  91-2  --  V, Veneto, Italy, #181446 $17.95  (Jun)
• Handcraft Petite Sirah Artisan Collection 2011, 91-2  V,  Manteca, California, #361907 $17.95  (Apr)  
• Haselgrove First Cut Vintage 2010 Shiraz, 91a-2  --  V, McLaren Vale, Australia,  #367425 $18.95  (Jun)
•  Bertani Villa Novare Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2010, 91-2  --  V,  Veneto, Italy, #095810 $19.95 (May)
• Heartland Stickleback Red 2010, 90-2  --  V,  South Australia, Australia, #116574 $13.95  (Feb)
• Syrousse Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2011, 90-2  --  V, Tautavel, France,  #357343 $16.95  (Feb)
• JIP JIP Rocks Shiraz 2011, 90-2  --  V, Padthaway, Australia, #673897 $16.95  (Feb)
• Château Argadens Bordeaux Supérieur Grand Vin 2009, 90-2  --  V,  Gironde, France, #681643 $16.95  (Jan) 
• Tempus Two Cabernet Merlot Limestone Coast 2011, 90-2  --  G, Pokolbin, NSW, Australia,  #308197 $16.95 (May)
• 13th Street Winery Merlot 2012 VQA Creek Shores, 90a-2  --  V,  St. Catharines, Ontario,  #270504 $17.95  (May)
•  Aquinas Pinot Noir Napa Valley 2012, 90-2  -  G, Napa Valley, California, #277657 $17.95*  (Apr)
• Rolf Binder Hales Shiraz 2010, 90-2  --  V,  Barossa Valley, Australia, #054239 $18.95  (Jun)
•  
• Domaine de Grangeneuve Esprit de Grenache Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011, 90-1  --  V, Rhône, France, #364794 $20.95  (Mar)
  
• Terredora Aglianico Campania 2010, 89-1  --  V, Montefusco, Italy,  #602284 $16.95  (May)
• Cesari Mara Vino de Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2011, 89-2  --  G, Veneto, Italy, #506519 $17.95  (Feb)
• Leone de Castris Riserva Salice Salentino 2010, 89-1  --  V,  Apulia, Italy, #597534 $19.95  (Jun)
• Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2010, 89-1  --  V, Veneto, Italy, #910430  $22.95* (GS#132852  $33.20)  (Apr)
• Kaiken Malbec Reserva 2011, 88-1 --  V, Mendoza, Argentina, #058339 $14.95  (May)
• Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 88-1  --  V, Rapel Valley, Chile, #061069 $14.95  (Feb)
• Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Rosso 2011, 88a-1  --  G, Verona, Italy,  #141952 $15.45  (May)
• Pascual Toso Limited Edition Malbec 2011, 88-1  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #162610 $15.95  (Jan)
• TintoNegro Uco Valley Reserve Malbec 2011, 88-1  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina,  #364075 $15.95  (Mar)
• Bocchino Giuseppe Arduine Barbera d'Asti 2011, 88a-1  --  V, Piedmont, Italy, #343277 $16.95  (Jan)
• Menguante Seleccion Garnacha 2007, 88a-1  --  V,  Aragon, Spain, #313833 $16.95  (Apr)
• Trapiche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 87-1  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #614669 $11.95  (Jan)
• Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana 2011, 87-1  --  G, Montalcino, Italy, #361022 $12.95  (Mar)
• Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranilla Garnacha 2010, 87-1  --  G, Navarro, Spain, #054007  $12.95  (Apr)
• Château Haut Méthée 2009, 87-1  --  V,  Bordeaux, France, #356592 $15.95  (Feb)
• Beringer Founders' Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 87-1  --  V, Napa, California, #534263 $15.95*  (Apr)
• Les Vignerons du Castelas Signargues Côtes du Rhône-Villages Vieilles Vignes 2010, 87  --  V, Rhône, France, #034116 $16.95  (Feb)
• Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel 2012, 88-1  --  V, Acampo, California, #359257 $17.95  (Feb) 
• Robert Oatley Signature Series Pinot Noir 2012, 88-1  --  V,  New South Wales, Australia, #357491 $18.95  (Feb)
• Robert Oatley Signature Series Pinot Noir 2012, 87  --  V,  Yarra Valley, Australia, #357491 $18.95  (Jun)
• Cave de Roquebrun la Grange des Combes Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun 2011, 86 --  V, Midi, France, #155804 $15.95  (Feb)
• Fifth Leg Old Dog New Tricks Shiraz 2011, 86  --  G, Margaret River, Australia, #281345  $15.95  (Apr)
• Domaine Lambrusgues Esprit Sauvage Pic Saint-Loup 2011, 86a  --  V,  Languedoc, France,  #354142 $17.95  (Apr)
• Cave Spring Dolomite Pinot Noir 2011 VQA Niagara Escarpment, 86  --  O, Jordan, Ontario  #Winery  $19.45   (May)
• San Cassiano Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2010, 85  --  V, Veneto, Italy, #354431 $17.95  (Jan)
• Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Carmenère 2012, 85  --  V, Maipo Alto, Chile, #670539 $19.95  (May)
•  
• Paul Mas Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012,  84  --  G, South France,  #293134 $11.95*  (Mar)
• Poderi Colla Nebbiolo d'Alba 2010,  84  --  V, Piedmont, Italy,  #748566 $20.75*  (Jan)
• Tenuta de Angelis Rosso Piceno Superiore 2009, 83a  --  V, Marche, Italy, #324756 $11.25*   (Feb)
• Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 83  --  G, Napa, California, #055517 $14.95  (Jun)
• 13th Street Detour Gamay/Pinot Noir 2012, 83  --  G, St. Catharines, Ontario, #367565   $14.95*  (May)
• Coyote's Run Five Mile Red 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, 83a  --  G, St. David's, Ontario, #283416  $16.95  (Mar)
• Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2012, 83  --  G, South Australia, #285544 $16.95   (May)
• Inniskillin Discovery Series East-West Cabernet Shiraz 2011, 83 --  O, NotL ON & Oliver BC, Canada, #998346 (Wine Rack)  $17.95  (Jan)
• Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009,  83a  --  V,  Geyserville, California,  #343467 $19.95  (Jun)
• Bodega Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Syrah 2012, 82  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #223651 $12.95  (Jan)
• Gariottin Malbec Cahors 2010, 82  --  G, Cahors, France, #340927 $13.15  (Mar)
• Terre Dei Volsci Velletri 2008, 82  --  G,  Aprilia, Italy, #175141 $14.90  (May)
• O Pinot Noir by Gilles Louvet Organic 2012, 82  --  G, Narbonne, France, #292995 $14.95  (May)
• Rosso Piceno Cantina Sant'Isidoro Pinto Macerato Italy2011,  82 -- V,  Marche, Italy, #364885 $15.95  (Mar)
• Pirramimma Stock's Hill Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2011, 80a  --  G,  McLaren Vale, Australia,  #352252 $16.90 (May)
• J.P. Chenet Limited Release Pinot Noir 2012, 78  --  G, Midi, France, #142406 $12.95 (Apr)
• Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 77  --  G, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, #310300 $14.45*  (Jan)
• Bodega Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Merlot 2012, NR  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #229849 $12.95  (Jan)