Author Archives: John Galea

Casal de Ventozela Branco Vinho Verde 2017

I don’t know Vinho Verde well but a colleague Greg was telling me about them so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Pale in color with a citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine has some noticeable effervescence, … Continue reading

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Sarl Champagne William Saintot Cuvee Seduction Champagne mini review

Every year I give my nieces a treat at Christmas, a bottle of Pol Roger champagne for them to have a magical New Years eve … I recently attended a tasting of this champagne and was suitably impressed. The bottle … Continue reading

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Fontanafredda Langhe Nebbiolo 2017

Nebbiolo is the grape used in Barolos and Barbarescos, and when they are simply referred to by the grape as this one is, you can sometimes get some bargains. This one is dark in color with a nice red berry … Continue reading

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Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. This wine is of two profiles, with and without food. Without food the wine displays some nice vibrant cherries to match the nose along with some nice mocha notes, and a hint … Continue reading

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Swartland Winemaker’s Collection Chenin Blanc 2018

Pale in color with a honey suckle nose. On the mid palate the displays some sharp acidity, some smokey/flinty notes and some minerality. This is an odd/funky chenin. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice mouth grip … Continue reading

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2015 Ménage à Trois Decadence Cabernet Sauvignon

I was wandering through my local LCBO and they were sampling this wine, I tried it and liked it enough to buy a bottle. I have to turn my reaction off to the silly name to even consider this wine, … Continue reading

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2017 Josh Cellars Chardonnay

I was wandering through the LCBO and needed a cold bottle of chard to go with the cod I had planned for the meal and this one was there. Based on the description I grabbed it. Pale to slightly golden … Continue reading

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Left Field Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2017

Pale in color with a mild stone fruit nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with nice peach and pear. If your expecting a wimpy pinot gris go elsewhere because on the medium length finish the wine … Continue reading

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Château de Marsan 2015

I was walking through the LCBO and wanted a hearty red to go with a striploin so I grabbed this one on a whim. Dark in color with a nice red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays … Continue reading

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2015 Josh Cellars Merlot

We were doing a tasting of the Reserve Cab sauv and noticed it tasted more like a merlot than a cab so decided to give this one a whirl. It’s in the general list, and a LOT cheaper. Dark in … Continue reading

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Mazzei Ser Lapo Riserva Chianti Classico 2015

Dark in color with a red berry and woody nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely soft red berry notes to match the nose along with some nice soft mocha notes. On the medium length finish the … Continue reading

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Chloe 2016 Chardonnay

Ok I admit it … I like a good oaked chard. Not over baked … just so! A perfect companion for scallops, a real ratatouille moment. So we planned a decadent meal for the night. Scallops, brussel sprouts and a … Continue reading

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2016 Oak Bay Pinot Noir

I last had the 2013 vintage of this wine and loved it. We don’t get a lot of Okanaghan wines and I find them quite distinctive, so when they come in I give them some love … This one is … Continue reading

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Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano 2016

Dark in color with a lively red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with a vibrant nose of red berries, typical of a sangiovese. It actually too a bit of digging to find out the … Continue reading

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2018 Sacred Hill Sauv blanc

Extremely pale in color, with a nice grapefruit nose along with some flinty/smokey notes, a little odd. On the mid palate the wine is pure grapefruit in flavor to me, but then I’m not sure gooseberry and nettles taste like … Continue reading

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Cantina San Paolo Aglianico 2017

This one caught my eye on the last release. I’ve had a few Aglianico’s and been impressed. This one is dark in color with a nice vibrant red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays vibrant red berry … Continue reading

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2017 Nautilus Sauv Blanc

I stopped by Hencdricks for there Thursday buck a shuck special for some oysters and saw this wine on the by the glass lists. Thursdays wines are $3 off, but on Wed they are half price bottles! It’s always interesting … Continue reading

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2017 Cave Spring Pinot Noir

Garnet in color with a nice soft red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some vibrant red berry fruit, strawberries and the like along with some firm rustic notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays … Continue reading

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2017 Santo Santorini Assyrtiko

Pale in color with a minerally nose. On the mid palate this wine is dominated by some firm minerality and vibrant acidity. There’s a hint of smokiness to the wine, and some notes I had trouble placing. On the medium … Continue reading

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Finca del Marquesado Crianza 2015

Dark in color with a bold black berry nose that leaps out at you. On the mid palate the wine has some bold dark berries that are immediately overwhelmed by firm, green notes, big tannins and acidity. There’s lot of … Continue reading

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2017 Underwood Pinot Noir

We stopped by Joey’s Eatons center for their half price bottles special on Thursdays and tried this one. The wine is regularly $65 so for $32.50 not a bad deal. Lovely garnet color with a vibrant, inviting strawberry nose ummmmm. … Continue reading

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2012 Alvento Aria Nebbiolo (mini review)

Way back in 2014 I tasted the 2007 Aria and was impressed. Nebbiolo as you may know is the grape in the sought after Italian Barolos and Barbarescos. The story becomes a bit of a winding road after that. Closed … Continue reading

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Domaine du Pré Baron Sauvignon Touraine 2017

Pale in color with a distinct grassy nose. On the mid palate this is bold zesty wine with lots of grassy notes to match the nose along with some citrus. The description on the back of the bottle says grapefruit, … Continue reading

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Château Blaignan 2014

Dark in color with a nice mild black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice rich black berries along with some nice mocha and chocolate. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth … Continue reading

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Cecchi Storia di Famiglia Chianti Classico 2015

Dark in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice edgy red berries backed almost immediately by some nice dryness, tannins and acidity. If there’s anywhere this wine is a little light on it’s … Continue reading

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