Category Archives: Wine

2008 Hillebrand Carlton Vineyard Merlot

Posted on September 29, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Looking for a wine last night to pair with good ol’ fashion spaghetti and noticed I had two of these in the cellar. Showcase is Hillebrand’s premiere wine label and this single vineyard comes from older Merlot vines on their … Continue reading →

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Cellaring Zinfandels

Posted on September 29, 2011 by John Galea

Managing a wine cellar takes some learning. The first thing to do when starting to setup a cellar is figuring out how you are going to capture the data. Capturing data at the time of purchase will save you a … Continue reading →

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2008 Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc

Posted on September 27, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

One of the things I have been toying with is having long form and short form reviews based on my time availability. For long time readers you know I can be sporadic with reviewing, most of the time this is … Continue reading →

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2010 Greenlane Pinot Gris-Riesling

Posted on September 26, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

2011 may go down as the summer of Pinot Gris in Niagara. All the vogue or all the rage some may say, but truth be told I am not sure why the region is pushing their Pinot Gris offerings as … Continue reading →

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ALDERBROOK OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2002 Dry Creek Valley

Posted on September 25, 2011 by John Galea

I’ve had this one in the cellar since 2008 so figured it was time to give it a try. On the nose are some nice dark berries and a hint of alcohol. On the mid pallet are some lovely dark … Continue reading →

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2006 Kacaba Meritage

Posted on September 23, 2011 by John Galea

This was the third of the wines I tasted on my visit to the winery. Dark in color with lots of dark fruits on the nose. On the mid pallet are some nice dark fruit rich flavors. The cab sauv … Continue reading →

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Beautiful night

Posted on September 22, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

I was away all last week, executive retreat followed by family events. No excuse yet still no blog. Despite all this I think I am up to 14 unique wines drank over that time so reviews will filter down as … Continue reading →

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Kacaba 2008 Cab Franc

Posted on September 21, 2011 by John Galea

Cab Franc for me is a signature grape for Niagara. They can do it very well. They can also do it very badly. Cab Franc in France is more often than not heavily blended. In Niagara as well as other … Continue reading →

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2008 Kacaba Pinot Noir

Posted on September 19, 2011 by John Galea

I first tasted the Kacaba wines at a tasting event at the Brickworks and was impressed. I was down in Niagara this past weekend doing some mountain biking in Short Hills Provincial park so I made a point of stopping … Continue reading →

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Hidden Bench Fall Release Event

Posted on September 10, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Fast post as it is via mobile phone. Great event, with owner, winemaker and front of house helping us run through the 8 wines on this release. Highlights: The wine (yes this is ‘copping out’) and great food pairings, very … Continue reading →

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2009 Quinto do Crasto Douro

Posted on September 9, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Another one of the wines we had at Salt Wine Bar a few weeks back, this wine left a much poorer impression on me. Quinto do Crasto is a large Portuguese producer located on the Douro River. Well known for … Continue reading →

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Interesting New Link

Posted on September 8, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

For those that know me, know I love to cook as well as drink wine. For the longest time I had a link up for Erika Strum’s mostly foodie blog. Well times change and Erika has moved on to a … Continue reading →

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2010 Calamus Pinot Gris

Posted on September 6, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

If you are looking for 3100 Glen Road in Jordan, take your time and try not to think about roads changing names or bending, all of this may lead you to not making it to Calamus Estate Winery. If it … Continue reading →

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San Diego Traveler Report

Posted on September 5, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

After a week away here are a few snippets on the trip, including restaurant and hotel notes. Will catch up on wine reviews over the next day or so. Red Pearl Restaurant (Gaslamp) In the middle of the Gaslamp district … Continue reading →

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2008 Pedras do Monte

Posted on August 28, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

This is a mini review based on a tasting at Salt restaurant in Toronto. A Portuguese red blend with a strong nose of oak and red fruit. Tannins were bold and there is no doubt this needs some more time. … Continue reading →

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Niagara Wine Week – Delayed

Posted on August 28, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

I am at 36,000′ currently and will be delayed getting out the final review (2010 Calamus Pinot Gris) for a few days. In the meantime I have a few short reviews that should pop up. As I will be in … Continue reading →

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2007 Fielding Estate Meritage

Posted on August 27, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

A bit of a shorter write up tonight, apologies to Fielding Estates in advance but a busy Saturday and prep for a week away has eaten into my time to blog. Fielding followed Angels Gate on the 6th day and … Continue reading →

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2010 Angels Gate Pinot Gris

Posted on August 26, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Angels Gate Winery is located on the Beamsville Bench, literally seconds/minutes from a handful of other vineyards recently reviewed (Hidden Bench, Tawse) or to be reviewed shortly (Fielding, Rosewood). Nestled midway up the Niagara Escarpment, the views as you drive … Continue reading →

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2008 Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Pinot Noir

Posted on August 25, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

I am rather shocked that I have never reviewed a single Hidden Bench wine before. If you were to ask me to name my top three wineries in Niagara at any given time, I can guarantee you that it would … Continue reading →

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2008 Ravine Vineyards Merlot

Posted on August 24, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Last Friday we made our first ever visit to Ravine Vineyards. Nestled into the little community of St-David’s I have been aware of the winery for some time but had never made the effort to visit it. Why? I have … Continue reading →

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2007 Château des Charmes Pinot Noir

Posted on August 23, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

After a long hard week of driving Gertrude, playing a few rounds of golf and visiting two wineries a day in the Niagara region I decided that Monday was a much needed rest day, and as such headed to the … Continue reading →

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2010 Strewn Terroir Riesling-Gewürztraminer

Posted on August 21, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

Strewn is a vineyard just on the outskirts of Niagara on the Lake (NotL), only a stone’s throw from Lake Ontario. Only a dozen years old now, it is a relatively young winery that is probably better known for its … Continue reading →

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2007 Stratus Petit Verdot

Posted on August 20, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

If you have ever driven down the 55 in Niagara, through Virgil to Niagara on the Lake, you have seen Stratus. An elegant looking set of buildings on the right hand side lead into a visually pleasing tasting/showing room (as … Continue reading →

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2006 De Sousa Reserve Meritage

Posted on August 20, 2011 by CanadianWineGuy

In all my time down in Niagara (either living here for a short period or just visiting) I have never found my way up Quarry Road to De Sousa Vineyards. Of the 43 vineyards that dot the Niagara Escarpment/Twenty Valley/Beamsville … Continue reading →

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