Monthly Archives: June 2009

SABOR REAL VIÑAS CENTENARIAS TEMPRANILLO 2005

Posted on June 30, 2009 by John Galea

Wimps need not apply 🙂 Ok if you like your wines big and bold, this is a wine for you. If you don’t, there is plenty of room about happy little elves in theater number two (a reference from Lemony … Continue reading →

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DOÑA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC 2006

Posted on June 29, 2009 by John Galea

This is a lovely smack on varietal Malbec from Argentina. Unlike the French who only use Malbec as a blending grape (primarily) the Argentinians will often use it entirely on it’s own. This is a lovely deep wine. The color … Continue reading →

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LAMMERSHOEK BARRIQUE CHENIN BLANC 2007

Posted on June 28, 2009 by John Galea

Chenin blancs are one of those wine that can be all over the map. I am discovering more and more wines like that. It’s likely to do with how “crafted” the wine is coupled with the heavy influence of Terroir … Continue reading →

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2004 Fattoria Monte Chianti Rufina Reserva

Posted on June 25, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

This was a recent Vintages release (June 6th) that I stumbled upon in my local store a week or so ago. A Chianti Rùfina (Reserva no less) priced at $20 is always a good potential bargain so I leaped in … Continue reading →

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2004 M. Chapoutier Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage

Posted on June 24, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

This is one of those bottles we decided to get two of when they were released in February. My thoughts on buying this pricier northern Rhône were simple, I really enjoy wines from Michel Chapoutier. The wine giant calls this … Continue reading →

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SAW Merlot tasting event …

Posted on June 23, 2009 by John Galea

I attended Society for American Wines Merlot event with great anticipation. There are a couple things I am appreciating at the SAW events. First is these are guided tastings. A well informed person (Chris Bee this time) guides us through … Continue reading →

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SANTA MARGHERITA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006

Posted on June 22, 2009 by John Galea

On the heels of my last Chianti I thought I would give this one a try blind. No research. I rarely do that. This wine is DOCG rather than an IGT so a little lower on the quality scale. It’s … Continue reading →

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DOMAINE GALEVAN PAROLES DE FEMME COTES DU RHONE 2007

Posted on June 19, 2009 by John Galea

I picked this one up last night and tried it straight off. The wine is a smack on varietal Cotes du Rhone. A good value for the money. The tastes are the typical, slightly sweet, cassis flavors with a medium … Continue reading →

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2006 Hartford Court Lands Edge Pinot Noir

Posted on June 18, 2009 by John Galea

A little while ago Mr and Mrs CWG (and Bachus) provided a review on this wine. They gave it such a glowing review I had to go grab one. This wine is on sale right now regularly $40 for $33. … Continue reading →

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J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005

Posted on June 17, 2009 by John Galea

This wine is one of the house wines available by the glass at the Keg. I have had it many times and enjoy it. I picked it up at the LCBO the other day. The wine is made in the … Continue reading →

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GABBIANO CHIANTI 2008

Posted on June 15, 2009 by John Galea

We were Ottawa for the weekend and stopped by Vittoria Trattoria . Right in the Byward Market this Italian restaurant has an impressive wine list. They have a number by the glass, 1/2 litre, half bottle and full bottle. They … Continue reading →

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Upcoming Toronto Events June

Posted on June 12, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

I know it is a bit late to chat about these two events, but hopefully if you are reading this and have time you might venture down to Old Town and give one or both a shot. First the wine … Continue reading →

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Quails Gate Chardonnay 2006 VQA Okanagan Valley

Posted on June 11, 2009 by John Galea

I enthusiastically grab Okanagan wines. I am impressed with what they are doing and there results speak for themselves. They are coming in with good quality wines at acceptable prices. Given the size of this region the fact we in … Continue reading →

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Bacchus Update

Posted on June 10, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Not only is Bacchus the Greek god of wine and a nice German hybrid grape, but he is also a cute as a button puppy (picture provided as proof). I am sipping on a 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris from … Continue reading →

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2005 Hartford Court Lands Edge Pinot Noir

Posted on June 9, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

This is one of those wines I picked up at the little wine shop in SFO (San Francisco airport) a year or so ago on a whim. I remember somewhere, at sometime, possibly reading about Hartford Family Wines and figured … Continue reading →

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2006 Chateau de Davenay Montagny 1er Cru

Posted on June 8, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

A recent white Burgundy release by LCBO/Vintages, this showed up (shockingly) at the Market (St Lawrence) shop. I plucked one off the shelf on Friday with the view at drinking right away. At $26.95 this is not exactly a bargain … Continue reading →

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RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003

Posted on June 7, 2009 by John Galea

Sometimes you have to crack into the cellar when a special friend comes over! Jason was the guest of honor! This one has been in my cellar for almost two years now. I enjoyed this one when I first opened … Continue reading →

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RICHARD HAMILTON LOT 148 MERLOT 2006

Posted on June 6, 2009 by John Galea

As usual my biases up front. I think a Merlot ought to taste like a Merlot (according to my definition). I know this is narrow. But this is just part of the somewhat exact being that is me. I believe … Continue reading →

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Wolf Blass 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Yellow Label

Posted on June 5, 2009 by John Galea

I was out with a bunch of friends at the Keg last night and while my usual there is thePainter Bridge Zinfandel I felt like something different and I wasn’t sure if others would appreciate a Zinfandel. This is always … Continue reading →

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2007 J Lohr Chardonnay

Posted on June 4, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

I am sitting at the Shore Club in Vancouver having dinner at the bar. While I’d prefer to be at home with Mrs CWG & Bacchus, this is not a bad evening. I am sipping the ’07 J. Lohr Chardonnay … Continue reading →

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NV Bethany Old Quarry Tawny Port

Posted on June 3, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

I thought I’d talk/write about a port today. We picked this up in the fall of 2008 during our trip through Australian wine country. Bethany is a small village in South Australia (SA), in the heart of the Barossa Valley. … Continue reading →

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2002 Château des Charmes Equuleus (Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard)

Posted on June 2, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Equuleus is a constellation better known as ‘little horse’ or ‘foal’. Small and faint, this grouping of stars is no representation for the wine bearing it’s name. Paul Bosc and family at Château des Charmes might consider this their special … Continue reading →

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Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2006

Posted on June 2, 2009 by John Galea

California Zinfandels are often field blends (in the vineyard a number of different types of grapes are grown) which means they can be inconsistent. Add to that they are heavily crafted and they can really vary. The best thing is … Continue reading →

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Malivoire Pinot Gris 2008

Posted on June 1, 2009 by John Galea

Malivoire have redone their label. Gone is the lady bug. Sigh … Dinner was a Chorizo sausage with a vegetable stir fry. A perfect companion for a white. So I dove into this one. The color is pale straw. The … Continue reading →

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Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir 2007

Posted on June 1, 2009 by John Galea

Niagara reds are always working hard to tame the harsh tannins and strong terroir flavors that dominate the reds. Pinot Noirs, Burgurndies for example are generally smooth, elegant wines. So Niagara has challenges when it comes to Pinot Noirs. Top … Continue reading →

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