2015 1st Half Summary - Reds

The 47 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 9 wines rated 90 and above. These are considered not lacking in any aspect and are excellent to sip and/or as a complement to a meal. Another fifteen in the 85 to 89 range are enjoyable but lack in minor degrees of fullness, varietal character or some other element. Twenty-three 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 2015 1st half WHITES+.  Click on the Product code to search LCBO OnLine Inventory.

Consider this one person's view and perhaps a starting point if it helps.

Cheers, Ww

Reds (47)

• Root: 1 Carmenère Colchagua Valley 2012,  92-3  --  G, Donihue, Chile, #350546  $12.80  (Jan)
• Casa LaPostolle Gran Seleccion Carmenere 2012,  92-3  --  G, Rapel Valley, Chile, #168740   $14.90  (Jan)
• Charles & Charles Red Blend 2013, 92-3  -- G, Washington State, USA, #363838 $15.95  (Jan)
• Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  92-2  --  V, Puente Alto, Chile, #337238 $21.95  (Feb)
• Tempus Two 'Limestone Coast' Cabernet Merlot 2011, 91-3  --  G, Pokolbin, New South Wales, #308197  $8.75  (Jan)
• Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, 89-2** (91-3)  --  G,  Modesto, California,  #392647  $14.95*   (Apr)
• Buried Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2010,  North Coast California,  91-1  --  G,  North Coast, California, #356113 $19.95  (Mar)
• Oatley Tic Tok Pocketwatch Central Ranges Cabernet Sauvignon 2011,  90-2  --  G, New South Wales, Australia, #187179   $12.85*  (Jan)
• Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 90-2  --  V, Columbia Valley, California, #210047   $16.95* (May)
• Chateau Timberlay Bordeaux Superieur Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, 89-1  -- G, Bordeaux, France, #030072  $16.45  (Mar)
• Harewood Shiraz 2011,  89-1  --  V, Denmark, Australia, #401380  $19.95  (Apr)
• Akarua Rua Pinot Noir 2012, 89-1  --  V, Central Otago, New Zealand, #295592  $24.95  (Apr)
• Valle Andino Reserva Especial Syrah 2012, 88a-1  --  V, Colchagua Valley, Chile, #272682  $12.75  (Jun)
• Zuccardi Santa Julia Magna 2012, 88-1  --  V, Mendoza, Argentina, #093799 $13.45*  (May)
• ZOLO Classic Bonarda 2013,  88-1  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #398271   $13.95  (Mar)
• CRIOS Malbec 2013, Mendoza, 88a-1  --  V, Argentina, #162529 $14.95  (Jun)
• 35° South Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Organic 2013,  87-1  --  G, Molina, Chile, #218859  $12.95  (Jan)
• Passion of Portugal Red Reserva 2013,  86-1  --  G, Alentejo, Portugal, #146449 $8.25  (Jun)
• Cono Sur Bicicleta Shiraz 2013, 86-1 --  G, Colchagua Valley, Chile, #064295  $10.00  (Feb)
• Chloe Red No. 249 2012,  86  --  G, Livermore, California,  #392589  $16.95*  (Apr)
• Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 86  V,  Coonawarra, Australia, #084996 $24.95  (Feb)
• Nederburg Winemaker's Reserve Shiraz 2013, 85-1  --  G, Western Cape, South Africa, #527457 $9.95  (Feb)
• MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2013, 85a  --  G,  Santiago, Chile, #619205  $12.05  (Apr)
• Domaine Les Yeuses Les Épices Syrah 2012, 85  --  V, Midi, France, #177584  $15.95  (Apr)
• C. J. Pask Gimblett Road Cabernet/Merlot/Malbec 2010, 85  --  V,  Hawkes Bay, New Zealand,  #279869  $19.95  (May)

• Bodega Volcanes de Chile Summit Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2013,  84  --  G,  Rapel Valley, Chile,  #350553  $10.95  (Jan)
• Wolf Blass Langhorne Creek Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  84  --  G, McLaren Vale, Australia, #251876  $13.95*  (May)
• JP Azeitao Red Tinto 2014,  83  --  G, Setubal, Portugal, #286195  $8.95  (Jun)
• La Mascota Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 83  --  G,  Mendoza, Argentina, #292110  $13.95  (Jan)
• Lionel Osmin & Cie Reserve Malbec 2011, 83a --  V, Cénac, France,  #328641  $13.95  (Apr)
• Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2013, 83  -- V, Central Valley, Chile, #323881  $14.90  (May)
• Yauquen Bonarda Bodega Ruca Malen 2013,  83  -- V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #360115 $14.95  (Jun)
• Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2010, 83  --  V,  Siena, Italy, #111641  $15.95  (Apr)
• Cline Family Cellars Zinfandel 2013, 83  --  G, Lodi California, #489278  $15.95  (May)
• Michel Lynch Merlot Gran Vin de Bordeaux 2011,  83  --  G, Bordeaux, France, #361550  $17.05  (Jan)
• Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 83  --  G, Livermore Valley, California, #301507  $17.95  (May)
• Ring-Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012,  83  --  V,  Margaret River, Australia, 14.0% D 4g/L, #606624  $19.95  (May)
• Candidato Oro Tempranillo Garnacha 2011,  82 --  G,  Castilla, Spain, #523811  $7.60  (Jun)
• Castello di Ama Riserva Chianti Classico 2009,  82  --  V,  Tuscany, Italy, #403824 (375 mL)  $16.95  (May)
• Fowles Wine 'Are You Game?' Shiraz 2012,  82  --  G, Victoria, Australia, #327320  $17.05  (Jan)
• Vina Real Plata Crianza 2010,  82  --  V, Rioja, Spain, #657411 $18.95  (Feb)
• P|K|N|T Reserve Carmenère 2013,  81c --  G, Rapel Valley, Chile, #191858  $9.95  (Feb)
• Undurraga Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2013, 81a  --  G, Maipo Valley, Chile, #358945  $10.00  (Feb)
• Villa Ponciago Grand Vins Beaujolais-Villages 2012, 80  --  G, Fleurie, France, #325134  $14.95  (Jan)
• Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2013, 80 --  G, Barossa, South Australia, #665471 $14.95*  (Mar)
• Trapiche Reserve Syrah 2013,  79  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #222281 $10.95*   (Feb)
• Thelema Mountain Red 2012, NR  --  G, Helshoogle, South Africa, #222570 $12.95  (Jun)