Monthly Archives: November 2009

Lilly Pilly 2008 Sauv Blanc

Posted on November 30, 2009 by John Galea

We headed up to Millcroft Inn for some rest and relaxation this past weekend. We discovered they have a lovely restaurant with a well stocked wine cellar. Jeff the manager there, a German fellow, was very knowledgeable in wines. They … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Australian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO MONTEZOVO DOC 2007

Posted on November 29, 2009 by John Galea

Had this one at Terroni’s, and shockingly, it’s in the LCBO. I actually wonder if this is the exact one. It is unusual for Terroni’s to use wines that are in the LCBO. This wine is a Ripasso. A process … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

Nautilus 2008 Sauv Blanc

Posted on November 27, 2009 by John Galea

Stopped on by Spice Route again last night where we were well taken care of by Alice. The staff are great in this place and the food is wonderful. The fusion of tastes is a treat. We often order seafood … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

Irony Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Valley

Posted on November 26, 2009 by John Galea

The wine is quite dark in color. On the nose are some mild cab notes. On the mid pallet are some distinctive Napa cab tastes, lots of dark fruits, cherries and the like. Not the most fruit forward or boisterous … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in American, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

SAW Pacific Mid west tasting event

Posted on November 24, 2009 by John Galea

I attended the Society for American wines Pacific Mid west tasting event last night. This was another unique event! I really enjoy these structured tastings with well aged wines from the cellars! We don’t get a lot of wine from … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Wine, Wine Events, Wine Stuff | Leave a comment

Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay 2008

Posted on November 23, 2009 by John Galea

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 … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Chile, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2008 J. Lohr Painter Bridge Chard and Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on November 22, 2009 by John Galea

I stopped by the J Lohr booth at the Food and Wine show. I’m a big fan of J Lohr wines. To date I have reviewed there Syrah, Riverstone Chard, Painter Bridge Zinfandel, and Seven Oaks cab. They are consistently … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in American, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES NO. 99 CABERNET/MERLOT 2007

Posted on November 21, 2009 by John Galea

I am always leery of these celebrities that lend their names to wines. Wayne Gretzky however is a gentleman and in my opinion one of the last hockey greats that played the game because they loved it. I remember watching … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

Food and wine show Toronto and GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY 2008

Posted on November 20, 2009 by John Galea

I attended the Food and Wine show last night. This is one of the largest I’ve been to. The size is quite incredible. The event actually does feature both food and wine. There are even cooking demonstrations and wine chats … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Australian, JG Review, Wine, Wine Events, Wine Stuff | Leave a comment

MONTECILLO CRIANZA 2006

Posted on November 18, 2009 by John Galea

My friend David pointed this one out to me from the general list (so very available). Rioja are known as one of the best areas for wine in Spain and Tempranillo (which is the grape used in a Crianza) are … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in JG Review, Spain, Wine | Leave a comment

VINA COBOS FELINO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

Posted on November 16, 2009 by John Galea

I have not had good luck with Argentina cabs, but I am always looking for the next one that is going to shatter my preconceptions. On the heels of the last Merlot that was very alcoholic I noticed this one … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

CLOS DU BOIS SONOMA RESERVE MERLOT 2006

Posted on November 14, 2009 by John Galea

I did not read the reviews on this one close enough before opening it and missed the recommendations by Vic and the LCBO panel to decant it. My mistake because this one really needs breathing. I don’t tend to decant … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in American, JG Review | Leave a comment

Insolia suliccenti 2008 igt

Posted on November 13, 2009 by John Galea

I had this wine at Terroni’s the other day. They tend to have a good selection of wines by the glass and rotate them through. As usual they are not available in the LCBO. The server informed me this wine … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

LOUIS BERNARD COTES DU RHONE

Posted on November 12, 2009 by John Galea

Stopped on by La Petite France for dinner and chose this wine. It was one of the few that was by the 1/2 litre that caught my attention. I really wish restaurants would start offering more wines by the 1/2 … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in JG Review, Rhône, Wine | Leave a comment

Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2007

Posted on November 10, 2009 by John Galea

Yup another wine from the Chilean wine event. This is one of the few reds that caught my attention. The wine is dark in color, easy on the nose with some nice black fruit coming through. On the mid pallet … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

J. LOHR SOUTH RIDGE SYRAH 2006 (re-review)

Posted on November 9, 2009 by John Galea

I last tasted this back in August and it’s amazing what a difference 3 months can make. All the edgeyness is gone. I decanted it for 1/2 an hour and it made for a beautiful smooth and silky wine. Lots … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

Tarapaca Sauv Blanc 2009

Posted on November 8, 2009 by John Galea

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 the wine is quite mild with nothing I … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

FIELDING ESTATE UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2007

Posted on November 5, 2009 by John Galea

Stopped on by Spice for lunch. They rotate their wines through the wine list. Whoever they have picking the wines they are doing a good job. I had not tasted this one recently so I gave it a try. I … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

CONO SUR VIOGNIER 2009

Posted on November 4, 2009 by John Galea

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 … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Chile, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

FEATHERSTONE ESTATE BOTTLED MERLOT 2007

Posted on November 3, 2009 by John Galea

Regular readers to this blog know I have a preconception of what a Merlot ought to taste like. And I am more often than not disappointed. Now add to that, I have never had a good Niagara Merlot and you … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

NAKED GRAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007

Posted on November 2, 2009 by John Galea

When you pick a name for a wine that is “catchy” it can cause some people to grab it, and others to leave it. Catchy to one, is irritating to another. I find this one of those. I know the … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review | Leave a comment