2007 Montecillo Crianza

Posted on January 24, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is deep inky in color with wood and dark fruits on the nose. On the mid pallet are dark fruits lots if wood and smoke coming through. In the finish the wine is slightly bitter and could use some breathing. There’s tannins and wood persisting through the medium finish. I would give it an 88 or so. There’s lots of value in this bottle.

From the LCBO web site:
MONTECILLO CRIANZA LCBO 144493 | 750 mL bottle Price: $14.95

Wine, Red Wine 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in: Rioja, Spain By: Osborne Y Cia

Tasting Note
Clear ruby red colour; cherry and spice aromas with a hint of vanilla; rich chocolate cherry flavour, well balanced with a smooth finish

Serving Suggestion
serve with grilled lamb chops

Check LCBO Stock

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2007 Yorkville Cabernet Sauv

Posted on January 20, 2011 by John Galea

I stopped by E11even last night (E11even on Yelp). They have an The Enomatic just like Corks that I blogged about previously. It is an interesting machine. They have 4 of them.

This wine is Deep in color lovely dark berries on the nose. On the mid pallet are some deep fruit forward classic California cab flavors cherries some oak, some chocolate. This is a rich wine for sure. On the finish are some mild tannins and a slightly sweet lingering flavor that grows is the mouth. This is definitely a smooth well made fruit forward California style cab. The oak is present but not overwhelming.  Alcohol is also nicely under control. I would give this a 90. It is sadly not available in the LCBO. It is $28 at the Winery . Yum. Eleven charged $20 for the glass … ouch.

I was impressed with Aaron behind the bar who had a good level of knowledge of wine and has his level 2 sommelier. I’m always impressed when establishments commit to ensuring their staff are knowledgeable about wines.

Here was a review I found of the wine where they said “There are people that believe it takes Napa Valley heat to make a good Cabernet. If you are one of them, try Yorkville’s and judge for yourself. The nose wraps up your senses in raspberry, cherry, plum, and semi-sweet chocolate aromas. When sipped, the cherry, plum, and dark chocolate all return. Easy to drink now but with enough tannins to age for a few years, at under $30 a bottle, it’s a much better value than most Napa Cabs. FBWorld Panel Score: 91”. From Food and Beverage.

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

2008 Vineland Estates Elevation Riesling

Posted on January 19, 2011 by John Galea

Ok, I have to start out by saying the name of this one made me giggle. Niagara’s escarpment is a mere bump in comparison to any kind of mountain range so I find it amusing to think Niagara has the gall to call anything “elevation”. To top it off they hyped this wine as being sold to their Wine of the month club first as an “exclusive”. Ok so I admit, I’m already a little biased before I even pop the cork. Always better to admit it. This was a wine review wasn’t it … right, right, back to our regularly scheduled program 🙂 The wine is pale in color mild on the nose. This bodes well … On the mid pallet the wine is slightly thicker, not watery and then it starts … this is quite a sweet Riesling. Lots of honey suckle. If I had to put it on a German scale I would say this is a Spatlese. No where near as sweet as an Auslese and definitely not as syrupy. On the finish the wine is again dominated by sugar. I would have to say this is not to my tastes. I prefer the drier Rieslings. I would give this no better than an 87. They say a good marketer can sell anything … well, good luck with that 🙂 $25.20 at the winery (not in the LCBO). Yikes.

Notes from the winery: Product Description
Subtle aromas of flint and lemon zest reveal a hint of effervescence on the nose. The palate is as refreshing as having delicious sweet pink lemonade on a hot summer day. Even before tasting this wine you won’t be able to wait for the next sip.

The balance of this wine is remarkable. The acidity, sweetness, alcohol and extract are all in perfect concert delivering a taste sensation that fills you from head to toe. The light spritz that is found upon opening (original carbon dioxide from fermentation) magnifies the zesty lemon lime characteristics and is also a testament to the gentle care this wine has received since it’s birth. It’s youthful punch and perkiness will please us now but it’s deep inner greatness will only be revealed with years of mindful cellaring.

Appellation: Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Alcohol Percent: 8.0 %
LCBO Sugar Code: 3
Residual Sugar g/L: 32.5 g/L
Brix at Harvest: 17.8
Total Acid g/L: 9.90 g/L
Cases Produced: 1,142
Drinking Through: Now – 2015
Service Temp.: 8 – 10 oc

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

Cookoothama 2008 Chardonnay

Posted on January 13, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is pale yellow in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a bit confusing. It has some mild varietal chard flavors blended with some Sauv blanc tartness. It did not work all that well in the mouth. There was some oak as well as some vanilla (my GF got caramel). The wine was medium in length with the finish more on the watery side of a chard. This was by no means an aweful wine, but I wouldn’t rave about it either. I would give it an 87-88. I won’t be running out for more. I paired it with lobster and it went ok, holding up to it just fine.

From the LCBO web site:
COOKOOTHAMA CHARDONNAY LCBO 619403 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 13.95
Wine, White Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: New South Wales, Australia By: Nugan Estate Pty.

Tasting Note
Pale straw yellow colour; aromas of citrus and vanilla; dry, medium bodied, crisp with apple, citrus flavours. Grilled or roast poultry.

Serving Suggestion
Grilled or roast poultry.
Check LCBO Stock

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

QUINTA DO CERRADO 2007

Posted on January 13, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is garnet in color with some black berries and some oak on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine has a reasonably strong alcoholic presence along with a nice bit of dryness. On the finish the wine has firm tannins a nice bit of dry pucker power and a little hint of alcohol. A bit of breathing is definitely in order on this one. I would give it an 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
QUINTA DO CERRADO 2007 VINTAGES 194720 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Dao, Portugal
By: Uniao Comercial De Beira

Release Date: Dec 11, 2010

Tasting Note
Dão is one of Portugal’s most important wine-producing areas. The ageable Quinto do Cerrado is a deep youthful ruby in the glass, with appetite-whetting aromas of raspberry, sandalwood, milk chocolate and dark fruit. The palate is dry, medium bodied and simply bursting with flavours of spice, dark fruit, raspberry, and chocolate. The oak is very nicely integrated, and the tannins are firm but not overwhelming. The medium-long, velvety, and very satisfying finish will leave you hankering for more as you savour a roast pork loin. (VINTAGES panel, April 2010)

Check LCBO

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

1994 S. Osvaldo Pinot Bianco

Posted on January 11, 2011 by John Galea

A little while ago my GF’s brother gave us a few bottles of wine that had been in his basement for a VERY long time. The first one a 2000 Pelee Island Monarch Vidal turned out to be quite enjoyable. He also gave us two VERY old Pinot Biancos. Now the varietal would not seem to be one I would think of as ageable. But then I was surprised by the Vidal … The wine had turned a color somewhere between yellow and orange. I would expect this started out as more of a pale almost Sauv blanc shade. Popping the cork it was still in tact with no nasty odors or colors on it. Pouring it into the glass it seemed a little thick, almost syrupy. On the nose the wine was dominated by alcohol, which was shocking given it started out at only 12.5%. So onto the tasting. I tried a little sip … and thus the excitement was lost. What was left was somewhere between a vinegar and a vermouth. Not being a vermouth drinker I was not enjoying it at all. So sadly, after being neglected for so long … it went down the drain. Ah alcohol wasted. It’s a sad day … It’s good my priest isn’t Irish or I’d be banished 🙂 The quest was an interesting one. Seems the LCBO don’t carry this one any more. Shame, it would have been interesting to see what it once tasted like …

image

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

CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2008

Posted on January 9, 2011 by John Galea

Some chards are really sensitive to temperature, and this is one of those. Out of the fridge it was too cold. The wine is slightly golden in color. On the nose are some mild chard varietal smells greeting you. When it was cold the wine was dominated by lemon and citrus. It reminded me more of a Sauv Blanc than a chard. As the wine warmed up the chard flavors started coming through. Slightly buttery, some nice oak coming through on a medium finish that built nicely in the mouth. The lemon and tartness totally disappeared. There’s some nice complexity and depth to the wine as well. This is a pretty good chard when served at the right temperature. I would give it an 88-89.

From winecurrent.com:
The price-quality balance in this flagship Gran Reserva tips well in your favour. Alluring aromas of green apple spiced white peach and toasty mineral notes are replayed as flavours on the palate. Its mid weight generously textured almost buttery with a well-balanced refreshing aftertaste of ripe tropical fruit lip-smacking citrus and a wisp of seamlessly integrated French oak. Pick up more than one. (Vic Harradine) New in Vintages (961276) $14.95 Rating 4.5/5

From the LCBO web site:
VIÑA CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2008 VINTAGES 961276 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: Chile, Chile By: Vina Carmen
Release Date: Oct 30, 2010

Description
The vines for this Reserve Chardonnay are a minimum of 25 years old, sourced strictly from Carmen’s estate vineyards in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The wine is aged in a 50/50 split of stainless steel and French and American barriques. All wines are given extended lees contact to give them an extra dimension. Look for tropical fruit, green apple, pear and mild toast aromas and flavours. This dry, fruity, fresh wine is a good choice for grilled fish or roast chicken.
Check LCBO Stock

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

D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2007

Posted on January 7, 2011 by John Galea

We cracked this one as part of our New Years eve celebration. The wine is dark in color with lots of lovely dark berries coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this is a smooth well made, refined shiraz, more in the style of a Syrah. On the finish the wine is medium in length with soft gentle tannins, some chocoloate and almost no pepper. It is a well made wine with oak and alcohol well under control. I would give it an 89-90. Very nice!

From the LCBO web site:
D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2007 VINTAGES 981183 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 49.95
Wine, Red Wine 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: D’Arenberg Wines
Release Date: Nov 27, 2010

Tasting Note
D’Arenberg’s flagship is the 2007 The Dead Arm Shiraz. Opaque purple-colored, the nose gives up aromas of meat, game, truffles, chocolate, blueberry, and blackberry. Firm, layered, and complex, this beautifully rendered Shiraz demands 5-7 years of cellaring. It will be at its best from 2015 to 2027. Score – 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2009)

Check LCBO stock

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

2007 limited edition Magnotta

Posted on January 3, 2011 by John Galea

I got given this one for Christmas. The wine is dark in color with some black berries and plum coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet are some plum and cherries, reminiscent of a Merlot. This is more of a fruit forward wine for sure. On the finish the wine is medium in length with some firm tannins and some oak coming through. It was an enjoyable wine for sure. I would give it an 88-89. The wine is not available in the LCBO but is available at the winery for $19.95. We paired it with a venison roast and it went well. Thanks Ray!

From the Magnotta web site:
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition VQA 750 mL

Red Sugar: 0 13.8% alc./vol. Body: Full

Flavour Profile: Cassis, black grapes, earth and spice with hints of cedar, peppercorn and raisins
Food Pairing: A definitive pairing to a superb filet mignon, beef tenderloin or well seasoned venison plate

Regular Price: $19.95

image

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

Hogue Cellars Cab Sauv

Posted on January 3, 2011 by John Galea

I have been to a few tastings covering off the Washing State. They are doing some fabulous stuff down there with great results. So when I was at Milestones the other day and I saw a Washing State cab I had to give it a whirl. I unfortunately did not get the year of the wine I tasted. The wine is dark on color with lots of cherries on the nose. On the mid pallet is a big complex, not fruit forward cab with some oak, some leather coming through. Lots of cherries to match the bouquet. The write up on the web site for the winery mentions cinnamon and while that didn’t come immediately to mind it was there. On the finish the wine has nice smooth well balanced tannins in a medium finish. This is a lovely cab. I would give it a 90. Yummy. Unfortunately not available in the LCBO. Strangely I couldn’t find the price on the web site.

From the winery’s web site;
Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington

Eastern Washington’s warm days and cool nights provide the perfect conditions for producing Cabernet Sauvignon that is rich and complex, with excellent structure. Our 2008 vintage has big, bold flavors of dark plum, rich cassis and currant, with a touch of cinnamon, vanilla and persimmon. The wine is soft and smooth on the palate, and the well-integrated oak adds a pleasing spice note. Pair with bold beef dishes—teriyaki flank steak or marinated tri-tip roast with rosemary, garlic and mushrooms.

RECENT PRESS:
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon: 89 pts Best Value, Wine Spectator. 3.09
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon: 87 pts Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast. 5.09
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon: Gold Medal, Tasting Panel. 5.09

The winery.

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

2007 Peller Estates Merlot Private Reserve

Posted on December 29, 2010 by John Galea

Dark in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some plum and some cherries. On the finish are some tannins and some metallic flavors. It has some of that Niagara terroiir taste and a med to long finish.88 or so. A nice Merlot. Not as fruit forward as some. Not available in the LCBO, $19.95 at the winery.

From the Winery web site:
A medium-bodied wine that has silky tannins and moderate acidity. Flavours of juicy cherries and plums fill the mouth while red berries and plums linger on the finish.

AWARDS: SILVER – Grand Harvest Awards 2010

Winery web site.

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

2000 Pelee Island Monarch Vidal

Posted on December 26, 2010 by John Galea

Yes you read the year right … Back in Engineering (surely by now you’ve figured out I am an Engineer not an English major :)) one of the lessons we were taught was to not let what you know (or think you know) get in the way of what you don’t. A valuable lesson I try to take to heart. So my GF’s brother had this bottle in his basement for a LONG time. When I had a look at it the color had turned almost orange. There was a ring of sediment on the bottom of it. I thought to myself what are the chances that a $9 bottle of wine is drinkable this many years later. But I gave it a try anyway. When I opened it the cork was in tact, looked fine and smelled fine. Golden in color with a nose that is slightly sweet, slightly floral and absolutely fine. I was shocked. On the mid pallet the wine displays characteristic slightly sweet flavors. Nothing over the top and not vinegary at all. On the finish the wine has some alcohol present with a medium length tartness. I couldn’t get any oak at all, not sure if this was oaked. I was shocked to discover that this wine was quite reasonable. I would give it an 88 or so. Vidal is the grape commonly (although not exclusively in Icewine).

From the LCBO web site:
PELEE ISLAND MONARCH VIDAL VQA LCBO 393405 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 8.95

Wine, White Wine 12.2% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 2
This is a VQA wine

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.

Tasting Note
Pale straw yellow; light floral aroma; fresh citrus flavour with balanced acidity

Check LCBO stock

image

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

2009 Ironstone Symphony

Posted on December 24, 2010 by John Galea

Christmas is almost upon us and soon to be New Years! On behalf of Brett and myself we wish to extend to you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Hopefully there will be lots of lovely wine under the tree for you to share with your family and friends!

This is a mini review from the food and wine show. This wine is pale in color with a nose of honey suckle sweetness. Reminded me of a Riesling. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose and it is dominated by sweetness. Not syrupy but sweet consistent with a medium dry wine which is what the LCBO calls it. I didn’t hate this wine, but it’s not to my tastes. I would give it an 87 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
IRONSTONE OBSESSION SYMPHONY 2009 VINTAGES 355784 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, White Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : MD

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Ironstone Vineyards
Release Date: Aug 7, 2010

Description
Symphony is not a brand name Ironstone gave this wine; it is actually the name of the grape. Developed at the University of California at Davis, Symphony is an aromatic variety that is a cross between Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria. It creates wines that are aromatically complex and very pleasurable, such as this fine example. A must for spicy Asian dishes.
Check LCBO stock

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

2007 Creekside Laura Red

Posted on December 22, 2010 by John Galea

I tasted this wine at Corks when I was there. The wine is dark in color with lovely dark berries and some oak on the nose. On the mid pallet the tastes match the nose. You can definitely taste the cab sauv and cab franc in the wine. The finish is medium in length and nice and smooth, The tannins and alcohol are well under control. It’s a big wine, but not too over the top. I’d give it an 88 or so. Quite enjoyable. I enjoyed it with pizza and it went well, holding it’s own nicely.

From the LCBO web site:
CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA RED 2007 VINTAGES 117960 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95
Wine, Red Wine 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Creekside Estate Winery
Release Date: Dec 11, 2010

Description
For the first time, Creekside has produced a full Bordeaux blend – consisting of 39.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 0.5% Petit Verdot – and the results are spectacular. This wine won Double Gold at the 2010 All Canadian Wine Championships, and 1st Place at the 2009 Royal Winter Fair Wine Competition. The producer suggests enjoying with pulled pork sandwiches or with a hearty soup.

Check LCBO stock

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

2008 Ménage à Trois Red

Posted on December 18, 2010 by John Galea

This is a mini review from the Gourmet Food and Wine show.
Gimicky name aside, this wine is dark in color mild on the nose. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Cab and Merlot. The Zinfandel comes through for sure on the mid pallet. On the finish the cab comes through with a bit of spice coming through. The finish has a bit of sweetness coming through (but not bad) and there is a definite jammyness as well. Some strawberries are also there. Not a bad wine. I would give it an 88 or so. It’s unfortunately not available in the LCBO right now but does come through from time to time under LCBO number 665158. $17.95 when it’s here.

From the winery’s web site:
2008 Ménage à Trois Red PRICE – $12 PER BOTTLE

Even if red wine is not your speed, give our Ménage à Trois Red a try. This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio.

Winery web site

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

No 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Shiraz/Cab

Posted on December 16, 2010 by John Galea

The last time I tasted one of the wines from No 99 I was not impressed.
These wines are dedicated to supporting the Wayne Gretzky foundation with all profits going there. A charity that brings hockey to underprivileged kids. Yet another example of Wayne being a gentleman and giving back to the country that made him who he is.

I tasted the wine at Corks.
The wine is dark in color lots of dark berries on the nose. On the mid pallet the taste matches the nose with dark berries and some deep rich flavors. On the finish the wine has some lovely silky tannins with a medium finish. The shiraz is not peppery at all and the cab is dominant in the tastes. It is reasonably complex wine. I would give it an 89 or so. I paired it with pizza and it went very well.

From the LCBO web site:

WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATE SERIES SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2007 VINTAGES 162180 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 22.95 Wine, Red Wine 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : D This is a VQA wine

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates
Release Date: Oct 30, 2010

Description
From the lauded 2007 vintage comes this well-made Shiraz/Cabernet blend from The Great One’s winery. The Shiraz plays forward on the nose with aromas of blackberry, pepper and underbrush. The Cabernet is nicely represented by cassis, with the Shiraz contributing peppery spice. Dry, crisp and fruity with soft tannins for balance. Medium-full bodied with a crisp, medium-long, fruit-filled finish. A great wine to enjoy with a rich pasta sauce while tuning into Saturday-night hockey.

The Winery

Check LCBO stock

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

CHÂTEAU TOUR D’HORABLE 2005

Posted on December 14, 2010 by John Galea

When I see a Bordeaux with a reasonable rating from 2005 under $20 I jump at it. This one caught my eye, they had put Natalie’s write up on the wine there. The wine is dark in color with a lovely Bordeaux dark fruit nose. On the mid pallet the wine is a smooth well balanced wine with some edgeyness. It has some spice and a nice dry finish. It’s not too overwhelming on the pucker power. For the price this wine is a good deal. I think Natalie and I agree on this one. I would give it an 89-90. Very nicely done. I can gladly state CHÂTEAU TOUR D’HORABLE is absoloutely not horrible 🙂 Sorry couldn’t resist 🙂

From the LCBO web site:
CHÂTEAU TOUR D’HORABLE 2005 VINTAGES 174656 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine 14.6% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Bordeaux, France By: J. A. Faytout, Prop.
Release Date: Sep 18, 2010

Tasting Note
A plummy, rich red that’s balanced and full-bodied with delicious dark berries and cassis and smoky long finish. Decant for 1-2 hours. Pair with: beef rib roast. Drink: 2010-2016. Score – 89. (Natalie MacLean, www.nataliemaclean.com, Oct. 2, 2009)

Check LCBO Stock

Share
Posted in Bordeaux, France, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

BERTANI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO

Posted on December 13, 2010 by John Galea

From Wikipedia

“In the late 20th century, a new style of wine known as ripasso (meaning “repassed”) emerged. With this technique, the pomace of leftover grape skins and seeds from the fermentation of recioto and Amarone are added to the batch of Valpolicella wines for a period of extended maceration. The additional food source for the remaining fermenting yeasts helps boost the alcohol level and body of the wines while also leaching additional tannins, glycerine and some phenolic compounds that contribute to a wine’s complexity, flavor and color.[9][12]”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. The wine is dark in color with that varietal dried grape almost raisin coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is slightly sweet as one would expect from a sugar level of 1. The wine is dominated by those dried grape flavors. If you like that then ripassos are a good choice with lots of value for the money. On the finish the wine is not as complex or tannic as I have had. I would have to say this is not one of the best Ripassos I have had. It’s smooth and well balanced, quite food friendly. We paired it with leg of lamb and it went well but did not have that magic pairing when you get it just right! I would give this wine an 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
BERTANI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO LCBO 12443 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.85
Wine, Red Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: Veneto, Italy By: Cav. G.B. Bertani

Tasting Note
Ruby red colour; floral, black cherry and plum aromas with a touch of vanilla and spice; dry, medium body; ripe black fruit flavour, well balanced with a good finish.

Check LCBO Stock

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

Corks

Posted on December 10, 2010 by John Galea


I first heard about Corks from the The Toronto Wine and Social Meetup Group. It is a restaraunt inside the Longo’s that serves a number of wines by the glass as well as micro brewery beers. A radical concept for Ontario given our anally retentive alcohol laws. After all, if alcohol was convenient we might all become alcoholics 🙂 I do digress. They have a unique gadget their I had to check out. The Enomatic is a system that keeps wine fresh longer by pressurizing the bottle with Nitrogen to keep it fresh and dispense by the glass. It is a neat system.

They serve 3 ounce and larger to allow you to taste a few. They even have flights you can order. The staff are reasonably knowledgeable about wine.

If your out and about for a game at the ACC be sure and check it out. I found it quite interesting. The food is average but it’s a neat idea. Support it so it doesn’t go away!

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

2008 PHILIPPE DE ROTHCHILD Chardonnay

Posted on December 9, 2010 by John Galea

Yellow in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some semi sweet honey suckle flavors with no oak, cream or butter. This is a mild non descript wine 87 or so. It’s not a bad wine, but not a good one either. Save your liver for something more worthy 🙂

From the LCBO web site:
PHILIPPE DE ROTHCHILD CHRD LCBO 407528 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: Languedoc, France By: Baron Philippe De Rothschild S.A.

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; soft apple, stewed pear, melon and vanilla aromas and flavours; dry, light-medium-bodied, with a touch of grapefruit in the finish.

Check LCBO Stock

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

East Dell Winery/Wines

Posted on December 7, 2010 by John Galea

I’ve been to East Dell winery before but have not eaten there before. They have a lovely deck in the summer where they serve as well as an inside area for year round dining. We ate there this time and the food and service were good and the prices were not bad either. They offer a nice tasting room as well as flights that can be ordered with your meal.

East Dell wines are consistently good. Here are some mini reviews of the wines we tasted at the Winery.

East Dell wines at the LCBO

I try hard to capture good and thorough notes. Of particular importance is the year. Niagara really does vary significantly year to year. Unfortunately I didn’t get the year of what I tasted at East Dell. Sorry about that.

Riesling $12.95
This wine is pale in color sweet honey suckle on the nose. Varietal Auselese came to mind. On the mid pallet the wine is smack on what is expected but it is not as sweet as the nose. The wine is medium in length. Not a bad Riesling at all. And given the price it’s a good deal! I would give it an 88 or so.
Check LCBO Stock

Pinot Noir $12.95
Ruby in color, with a smokey nose. Some lovely varietal Pinot smells coming through. Rustic notes and the like. On the mid pallet the wine is bang on with the flavors to match the nose. Some nice rustic flavors coming through. The finish is medium in length with a nice dryness to it. I enjoyed this one. Another 88! Again a good deal for the price. Given how pricey Pinot Noir’s often are, I will be getting one of these for a more detailed tasting. And this time I’ll note the year! DOH.
Check LCBO Stock

2007 Cab/Merlot $12.95
Niagara cabs can sometimes be big tannic monsters. Taming this beast can be the challenge. One of the ways they do this is to cut it with Merlot to soften it. This wine is dark in color with lots of dark berry smells coming off the glass. On the mid pallet are dark fruits to match the nose. This wine is smooth and well made. East Dell has done a wonderful job of managing this one. It’s well balanced and food friendly. We had this one with lunch and enjoyed it. The finish is on the lighter side of medium. I would also give this one an 88.
Check LCBO Stock

2009 Reserve Sauv Blanc ~$18
This wine is pale in color with lots of lemon and citrus coming through. On the mid pallet the wine’s flavors match the nose with lemon and citrus dominating the flavors. It has a medium finish that lingers nicely. This is a smooth well made, food friendly Sauv Blanc. They’ve done this one VERY well. Unfortunately it is not available in the LCBO. I would give it an 89. I bought one and had it and quite enjoyed it. Sauv Blancs are definitely amongst my favorite white wines. So food friendly. And this is a good one.

2008 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Reserve $17.95
This wine has a not great nose with some sulphur coming through. On the mid pallet this wine is a slightly buttery chard I’d say right in the middle of the road. On the finish there is some tartness not consistent with a chard. For me this wine is not great and I found the chard and the tartness fighting. I would give this an 87 or so.
Check LCBO stock

2009 Black Cab $12.95
This wine is a blend of cab sauv/cab franc/baco noir. On the nose some wood and black fruits are coming through. On the mid pallet the dark fruits match up with the nose. On the finish the wine is slightly tart with some tannins coming through. This is not a bad wine and given the price it’s a good deal. I would give it an 87.

Check LCBO stock

2006 Cab franc Reserve $22.15
Deep red in color rich on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is a big Niagara style Cab Franc. Loads of black fruits. This wine is big in the mouth and has lots of tannins on a long finish that builds in the mouth with some nice dry pucker power! The oak is present on the finish but not overwhelming. This is a well made cab franc, but it is a bruiser. Some time in the bottle will help smooth it out. Of course that will also take away some of it’s distinctiveness! I would give this one a 90.

Overall of the wines I tasted I was quite impressed with East Dell. They are continuing to make improvements in their product, and have kept their prices very reasonable. The restaurant is nicely done and well worth a stop over. In the words of the terminator … I’ll be back 🙂 End bad jokes here.

East Dell Winery

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

INNIS & GUNN CANADIAN CASK

Posted on December 5, 2010 by John Galea

This is a little off topic, a friend gave me one of these. It is a beer that has been aged in 21 year old single malt Scotch Whiskey barrels. The beer is red in color. The color looks a little like a scotch. It is lightly carbonated. On the nose you can get some alcohol and typical beer bouquet. On the mid pallet is a lovely and smooth pale ale with some traditional malt flavors coming through and some sweetness. On the finish the beer has a nice smooth taste with some alcohol present but this beer does not give away the whopping 7.1% it has. All in all this was an interesting experience. I somewhat expected this to be like dropping a shot in a beer. BUt it was nothing at all like that. The casks do impart a nice bit of complexity to what is a good beer. I will have to try the non aged one for reference. Give it a try it’s quite interesting! Thanks Neil!

From the side of the box:
Color: Auburn
Nose: Malty, heather flowers and a hint of vanilla
Palate: Deep smooth and complex. Intense malt, marzipan and candied fruits mellowing to a get hop bitterness with a hint of roast malt character.
Finish: Creamy and mellow like hot buttered fruit toast.

Share
Posted in JG Review, Off Wine Topic | Leave a comment

LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT 2008

Posted on December 3, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with lots of nice dark fruits coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is a smooth well balanced wine with dark cherries coming through and some nice dry pucker power that builds nicely in the mouth. It has a medium finish with some oak coming through. The alcohol is well under control! It is very food friendly! I quite enjoyed this one. I would give it an 89 or so. A good deal for the price.

From the LCBO web site:

M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2008
VINTAGES 168716 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.00
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : D

Made in: Roussillon, France By: M. Chapoutier S.A.
Release Date: Jun 26, 2010

Description
This wine was ranked #75 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list for 2009.

Tasting Note
A muscular red, with concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, raspberry tart and grilled fig. The dense finish of dark chocolate is firm and focused, with smoky notes. Best from 2010 through 2014. Smart Buy. Score – 90. (Kim Marcus, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 15, 2009)

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

Hidden Bench winery/wines

Posted on December 1, 2010 by John Galea

I have not been to Hidden Bench before this was my first time. Here are some mini reviews of the wines we tasted. None of these wines are in the LCBO.

2008 ROMAN’S BLOCK RIESLING $34
This wine is pale in color with some honey suckle sweetness coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet there is some sweetness there to match the nose and then on the finish the wine has some tartness to finish it up. The finish is medium in length and nice and dry. This is a pretty good Riesling. I would give it an 88 but to be honest, for the price I can think of better wines.

Wimenaker’s Comments (from their web site)
A brilliant appearance with pale yellow straw colour. Classic and intense Riesling aromatics with hints of yellow grapefruit, lime, honey and a flinty minerality. The palate is vibrant and shows great depth of flavours. This concentrated wine has a core of yellow pomello with candied citrus and lime. An austere wine that shows great finesse, power, beautiful balance and an extraordinary length. These are trademark characteristics of the Rosomel Vineyard, specifically Roman’s Block terroir.

2007 FELSECK CHARDONNAY $38
This wine is golden in color with a varietal California style chard on the nose. On the mid pallet are some lovely California style chard flavors to match the nose. Some nice butter and complexity coming through. The finish is medium in length with alcohol and oak well under control. This is a beautiful wine, not over baked as some can be, probably one of the better Chards I have had from Niagara but I have to say the price is really high for this one. Again I would have to say you can do much better for this kind of money.

Wine makers notes (from their website)
Lively golden pale straw colour. The very concentrated nose shows aromas of ripe peach, caramelized apple, vanilla and clove spice. The powerful and rich palate is showing beautiful concentration of citrus and peach flavours with a well-integrated smokiness. The 2007 Felseck Chardonnay has great intensity and length and is best enjoyed with rich foods.

2007 LA BRUNANTE $85
This wine is very dark in color with loads of black fruits coming through. This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cab Sauv, Malbec and Cab franc so it is a heavily blended wine. On the mid pallet this is a big bold wine with loads of complexity in the mouth. Layers of flavors ripple through the mouth. Lots of black berries. The wine has a lovely dry finish that lingers nicely. A very well made wine. 89-90. This is a Bordeaux stlye wine and they have done it very well, but did you see the price? No that was not a typo. Wow!

Wine makers notes (from their web site) The colour is deep, opaque purple with hints of violet. An expressive, powerful and elegant nose with rich, ripe dark fruits layered in classic Beamsville Bench minerality. Super-fine luscious tannins frame the palette which expresses purity of black and blueberries. Extremely concentrated, the wine gives way to a velvety texture with a finish that extends into minutes. This wine is meant for mid to long-term aging.

2008 ESTATE PINOT NOIR $38
This wine is ruby in color with a varietal pinot noir nose with rustic notes coming through. On the mid pallet the wine is exactly what one would expect, some rustic flavors, some earthy notes, and none of none of less attractive barnyard characteristics that can plague some pinots. The wine is nice and dry on the medium finish with some nice tannins present. This wine is bold and concentrated, again a VERY well made wine, again one of the better ones in Niagara. I would give this one a solid 90.

I was really impressed with the quality of wines Hidden Bench are making. If price was seriously not an issue for me, I would definitely enjoy any of these. The reality, or my reality anyway, is price is an issue. I highly recommend you stop by Hidden Bench if for no other reason to try some of the best wines coming out of Niagara! In spite of the price I found the staff to be pleasant, approachable and not in the least bit pretentious (nothing like 30 Bench, my least favorite winery in Niagara). Staff can make all the difference. They also had on display that they have installed 105 solar panels and throughout the year are power neutral returning power back to the grid for most of the year. Nice!

The Winery

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

FRANCIS COPPOLA CHARDONNAY 2008

Posted on November 29, 2010 by John Galea

This is a mini review from the Food and Wine show:
This wine is golden in color with a nice varietal nose of chard coming through. On the mid pallet the wine is a smooth wine with some butter coming through but definitely not over the top. This is a nicely made California style chard, well under control. I would give this one an 88. $19.95

From the LCBO web site:

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION GOLD LABEL CHARDONNAY 2008
VINTAGES 708305 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Francis Ford Coppola Pres Rosso & B
Release Date: Oct 2, 2010

Tasting Note
This Gold Medal-winning Chard is dense with flavour yet remains light on its feet. Bright yellow with emerald highlights, it’s clean and appetizing with aromas of toast, vanilla, butter, sweet pear, apricot, mango and cantaloupe. Dry and medium bodied with plenty of smoky oak, though the tasty fruit character shines strong. Good acidity leads to a crisp, smoke-infused finish. Simply perfect for a juicy, buttery turkey at Thanksgiving Dinner, or try it with pan-fried scallops with butter and garlic. (VINTAGES panel, March 2010)

Check LCBO stock

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