Category Archives: Canadian

2008 Joseph Estates Chenin Blanc

I tasted this at the iYellow Niagara on the Lake tasting event. Very pale in color, with a mild nose. On the mid pallet the wine is semi sweet, varietal chenin blanc. Some light peach flavors. This is a good … Continue reading

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2010 Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Gewürztraminer

Fast review of Hidden Bench’s 2010 Gewürztraminer. This single vineyard white was much more than I was expecting, and I have to admit I am not a Gewurtz fan. If it is even possible to call a drink this, this … Continue reading

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2007 Stratus Red

I am a bit time constraint but I wanted to get out review of another 2007 Niagara Bordeaux style blend. With four recent reviews from the same vintage it would be a disservice to the readers not to cover the … Continue reading

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2007 Calamus Meritage

Having subconsciously slipped into a 2007 Niagara Meritage drinking spree I thought there was no time like the present to continue this whirlwind tour of that fantastic vintage of Bordeaux style blends. Calamus Estate Winery has been covered a few … Continue reading

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Do not be a snob towards Niagara wines when you know NOTHING about them (and other rants, well not really)

If I had a dollar for every single person that tells me they are wine collectors/lovers in Toronto who know NOTHING about the Niagara wine region that is a mere hour south of them, I’d be a rich, very rich … Continue reading

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2007 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet- Merlot

Another night, another 2007 Niagara Bordeaux blend and another concise review. Henry of Pelham’s Gold Medal Winner from the 2009 International Food & Beverage Forum Wine Awards is a quietly great wine. It is a dark inky wine with a … Continue reading

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2007 Chateau des Charmes Equuleus

A quick review today, the first of at least 4 consecutive Canadian Bordeaux style blends. This is the Chateau des Charmes flagship red, the Equuleus (if you want my take on the 2002 click here). First of 6 out of … Continue reading

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2008 Haynes Barns Cab/Merlot

I last reviewed the 2009 that I tasted at Big White Ski resort and was impressed. Okanogan wines have a very distinctive taste. This wine is dark in color with a mild nose. Right out of the bottle this wine … Continue reading

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2007 Stratus Cab Franc

I had this one at Corks the other night. Dark in color with a mild nose of dark berries and some alcohol on the nose. Almost vermouth like. On the mid pallet there are some black berries and noticeable alcohol … Continue reading

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2007 Andrew Peller Signature Series Merlot

With two of these in the cellar it was time to ‘crack’ open a bottle and test out this premium Peller Estates wine. A true ‘first growth’ the Andrew Peller Signature Series range is the best the vineyard has to … Continue reading

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2007 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir

Henry of Pelham remains one of the most overlooked Niagara region wineries. Despite the consistency that most vineyards long for, its location and lack of ‘cache’ tend to put them on the forgotten list. The Speck family make good wine … Continue reading

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2007 Burrowing Owl Syrah

This 2007 was short listed with the recent cellar space shortage as there were two still left and five years is a great start for this wine. Burrowing Owl remains a star in the gorgeous Okanagan wine region. This was … Continue reading

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2010 Hillebrand Artist Series Gewürztraminer ‘Limited Edition’

A wise man once said: “A hot and muggy summer day calls for a nice chilled white wine in the late afternoon.” If you use that quote be sure to attribute it to myself as I cannot pin it on … Continue reading

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2010 Jackson Triggs Silver Series Chardonnay

We grabbed this one at the winery while on our tour of Niagara on the lake. Pale in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet this is softer well made chard dominated by some oak, some vanilla, slightly … Continue reading

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2006 Angels Gate Old Vines Chardonnay

With space extremely limited in the CWG cellars (well 115% capacity reached and counting) it was time to thin the herd. Where better to start then a 6 year old Beamsville Bench Chardonnay. Angels Gate winery may be known more … Continue reading

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Lailey 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

I tasted this one at the winery as well as at The Charles Inn at dinner. Pale in color with a nice nose with some, with some green grassyness, and minerality coming through. On the mid pallet nice green flavors … Continue reading

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2009 Marynissen Gamay Noir

Garnet in color with an earthy almost pinot noir like nose. Quite pleasant and inviting. On the mid pallet the wine displays some nice pinot noir like flavors, some mild strawberries and some nice firm rustic flavors. On the finish … Continue reading

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2009 Marynissen Oaked Chardonnay

My nephew has been encouraging me to stop by Marynissen for a while now so when we were in Niagara on the Lake we stopped by the winery. I have to say I was impressed with the wines. Niagara on … Continue reading

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2011 Henry of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc

Stopped by the Red Lobster the other day and this one was on the by the glass menu. I’ve had a string of good Niagara Sauv Blanc’s lately so I thought I’d give it a try. Pale in color with … Continue reading

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NHL Alumni Hat Trick Wines

I tasted these two at the Toronto Wine and Spirits festival. Ok, I have to admit it, I’m a sucker for the whole NHL Alumni thing. Brings back fond memories of when I was a kid and hockey players did … Continue reading

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SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2010 mini review

When I’ve traveled down to Niagara I have spent a lot more time in the bench area near Beamsville. So I don’t know the Niagara on the Lake area (where this wine is from) very well. The tastings I have … Continue reading

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2011 Trius Sauv Blanc

As regular readers of my posts know I am a lover of Sauv Blancs. Good ones are tremendously food friendly, versatile wines. If a white is called for more often than not I reach for a Sauv Blanc! The 2008 … Continue reading

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2008 Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc

I previously reviewed the 2009 which I got at the winery and was impressed. The 2008 is in the LCBO. Pale in color with a mild citrusy nose. On the mid pallet this wine is dominated by strong tartness and … Continue reading

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2005 Cave Spring Estate Bottle Cab Franc

Back in 2008 I picked this one up at the winery. For me Cab Franc is a signature grape for Niagara. It is one of the things they do VERY well. And 2005 was a superb year for Niagara reds. … Continue reading

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2009 Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc

I’m a lover of Sauv blancs. I quite enjoy the citrus, boystrous style of Sauv Blancs. They make fabulous food friendly wines. This wine is very pale in color with a mild citrus nose. On the mid pallet this is … Continue reading

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