Category Archives: JG Review

John Galea Wine Reviews

Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 mini review

Inky dark in color with a lovely varietal red cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with lovely rich bold red cherries coming through. This is definitely more of a fruit forward cab. On the medium … Continue reading

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Château d’Argadens Blanc 2016

Pale in color with a nice citrus note. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice crisp citrus notes to match the nose along with some floral hints. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice crisp … Continue reading

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Ardal Crianza 2013

I’ve had this one before and been impressed, so when I saw it on the recent release I grabbed it. Inky dark in color with a mild nose. About the only thing about this wine that is mild. On the … Continue reading

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2017 Stoneleigh Sauv blanc

Stoneleigh Sauv Blanc has been a stable performer for quite a while. This is my first of the 2017 vintage. Pale in color with a pink grapefruit nose. This was super obvious right off the bat. On the mid palate … Continue reading

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2015 Chloe Chardonnay

This is a general list wine. Pale in color with nice varietal nose with apple and pear coming through. On the mid palate the wine displays spot on varietal notes with apple and pear being dominant. The fruit it quite … Continue reading

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Curtefranca Rosso Vigna Santella del Grom 2013

Another one from the Riccardo Ricci Curbastro tasting. This one is 30% Cab Franc, 12% Carménère 20% Cab sauv, 28% Merlot and 10% Barbera. I have to admit I had not heard of Carménère growing in Italy. And I had … Continue reading

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2016 Tinhorn Chardonnay

Pale in color with a mild nose of apple and pear. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some nice vibrant fruit, apple and pear coming through, whacked almost immediately by some strong pepper and spicy notes. … Continue reading

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Franciacorta Ricci Curbastro NV Brut

I had the pleasure of listening to Riccardo Ricci Curbastro speak at a recent IEEM event where we got to taste this wine while learning about the Italian wine scene. As you probably know, a sparkling can not be called … Continue reading

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Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some cherry notes along with some noticeable green pepper notes. I'm not sure if the wine is simply to young or what. I've had this … Continue reading

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Grati Chianti 2016

Slightly garnet in color with a nice mild nose of dried fruits. On the mid palate the wine delivers a lovely fruit forward chianti, showing lovely soft red fruits. On the medium length finish the wine displays some vibrant acidity … Continue reading

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2016 Arterra Chard

I read about this one in the Toronto Star and they were raving about it so I thought I would give it a try. This wine took a bit of digging to find out the details of. It’s a new … Continue reading

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McManis Chardonnay 2016

Pale in color with a mild varietal nose with apple and pear coming through. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with nice apple and pear notes. The fruit is quite vibrant. On the medium length finish the … Continue reading

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Chanson Réserve du Bastion Pinot Noir 2014

This is another in the new wave of clearly labelled (albeit blandly labelled) French wines with the grape clearly lablled. It’s an AOC. Garnet in color with a nice rustic nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely … Continue reading

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Ca’ Momi Merlot 2015

Dark in color with a a mild cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some rich bold cherry notes. This wine’s fruit intensity is over the top. On the medium length finish the wine displays some mild pepper … Continue reading

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Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc 2017

Pale in color with a minerally nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with loads of crisp dry minerality coming through. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice lively acidity and maybe some citrus … Continue reading

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2015 Kir Yianni Paranga Red Vdp Macedonia

This is another of the Greek wines, I chose this one again because of the grape. The wine is Merlot (50%), Xinomavro (25%), Syrah (25%). Inky dark in color with nice mild black berry and wood nose. On the mid … Continue reading

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Perlage Pinot Grigio 2016

The LCBO release before Christmas is packed with expensive wines for gifts. Not a release to look for bargains. The release just after Christmas, this one in fact, is called a value release when you realize your credit cards are … Continue reading

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Tsantali Reserve Rapsani 2013

I recognized the Xinomavro grape from a previous Greek red I loved. Dark in color with a mild black cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with lovely black cherries coming through. On the medium length … Continue reading

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2016 Trius Barrel fermented chard

Pale to golden in color with a nice apple/pear nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice pear and apple to match the nose along with some slightly smokey and some mild flint coming. I have to say … Continue reading

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2015 Indomita Zardoz cab (mini review)

Another one from the Chilean wine fest … Dark in color with a nice cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with bold, rich cherries coming through. On the medium length finish the wine displays some … Continue reading

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2014 Thirty Bench Small lot Pinot noir

I was wandering out of Longos and went into the Wine shop … this wine was there, and was mislabelled as $24.20 a bottle instead of the usual $36 so I pounced. Garnet in color with mild nose. On the … Continue reading

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2015 Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir AOC

I was walking through the general list and was looking for a pinot I could pair with salmon and this one jumped up at me. I took a flyer without research and grabbed it. Garnet in color with a mild … Continue reading

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2015 Peppoli Chianti Classico

I last reviewed the 2014 vintage of this wine and enjoyed it. Not all wineries can make consistent wine, so I like to follow up reviews when the next vintage is release. This particular wine has been a Vintage essential … Continue reading

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Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2015 mini review

Dark in color with a smokey/oakey nose along with some dark berries. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice dark berries to match the nose, black cherries and some dried fruits. On the medium length finish, where this … Continue reading

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2011 13th St Essence Pinot Noir (mini review)

I love Pinots, so food friendly. A perfect compliment to poultry like turkey we so often end up eating at holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving! And Ontario make some excellent ones! This wine is garnet in color with a lovely … Continue reading

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