Foreign Affair Winery/wines

Posted on November 27, 2010 by John Galea

We stopped by Foreign Affair winery. They are doing Italian Amarone style appassimento process. This consists of drying the grapes before crushing them. The tends to concentrate and focus the wine. In Amarone’s I find it brings out an almost dried grape/raisin flavor in the wine that can be VERY concentrated. Foreign Affairs are doing not only reds but also whites. In Italy they ONLY do reds and only specific grapes.

Some of the wines are 100% appassimento and some are partial to varying degrees.

2008 Riesling $24.95
This wine is only a partial appassimento. This wine is pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is slightly sweet with some effervescent tingling going on in the tongue. On the finish the wine is slightly sweet and medium in length. If I had to close my eyes and taste this one Vs. one that did not see the appassimento process, I would be hard pressed (pardon the pun). I would give it a 88.
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2007 Chardonnay $34.95
This wine is only a partial appassimento. This wine is golden in color with a varietal Chard nose. On the mid pallet the wine is quite buttery in the California style. On the finish the wine is dominated by it’s 14.1% alcohol. I would give this one an 87. Not to my tastes.

2007 Cab Sauv $38
Again a partial appassimento. This wine is dark in color with a nose of big black fruits. On the mid pallet this is one of those BIG Niagara style reds where the tannins are out of control. This wine is way to young. Theirs lots of dry pucker power on the long finish as this wine continues in the mouth. For me this is an unrefined wine. Just a big bruiser. I would give it an 87.

2007 Cab Franc $110
This wine is 100% appassimento. Cab Franc is a signature Niagara grape (IMHO) so I looked forward to tasting it. If the cab sauv was a big wine, this one is even bigger. The appassimento process starts to shine through and there are some dried raisin tastes to this wine. It has some slight sweetness to it on the finish. 15.9% alcohol! Wow. I would give this one an 88.

I must say I was really curious to see what this process would do for Niagara. For my tastes, I just don’t see the point. It’s an expensive process that really did little to nothing to enhance the wine. Personally, if it were me, I’d do what Cave Springs are doing which is to focus the appassimento process on one red grape varietal and do it well. The Cab Franc would seem like the better choice.

The winery

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CLOS DU VAL ZINFANDEL 2008

Posted on November 24, 2010 by John Galea

Mini review from the Food and Wine show:
This wine is dark in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a soft, light thin varietal zin. There was not a lot happening on this one for me. There’s some oak present and the alcohol was under control. For this price I expect a whole lot better. I would give this an 87 or so. Skip it …

From the LCBO web site (Not the same year as was at the event):
CLOS DU VAL ZINFANDEL 2006 VINTAGES 590216 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 22.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.9% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Clos Du Val Wine Company Ltd.,
Release Date: Aug 29, 2009

Description
This zesty Zin is dominated by ripe, dark cherry and berry pie aromas with hints of anise and black pepper. Soft and creamy, with mixed berry flavours and gentle tannins, this wine is easy to love. You’ll definitely want to break out the barbecue for this one.

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Cave Spring winery/wines

Posted on November 22, 2010 by John Galea

I love coming down to Jordan where Cave Spring is located. You can stay overnight at Inn on the Twenty or if you want to save a few dollars stay at Jordan House just up the street. They are owned by the same people as Cave Springs. I’ve stayed there a number of times and really enjoy it. There’s lots of wineries close. The restaurant at Inn on The Twenty is excellent. They put on a fabulous meal for a reasonable price. It’s a real nice way to celebrate a special occasion. When your done a short walk up the street, Jordan House has a nice pub where you can unwind and enjoy some live music. Ah the bliss.

Cave Springs has for years made my favorite Riesling and Cab Franc. They have been focusing on what Niagara does well and doing some unique stuff. They started trying their hands at the Amarone style Appassimento process.

Here are the mini reviews from the visit:
2009 Estate Riesling $17.95
They explained to me that 2009 was a cool year for whites which brings out more acid in the grapes. For years this has been my favorite Niagara Riesling. This wine is pale in color with a sweeter nose. On the mid pallet the wine is slightly sweet (almost too much) and then finishes with a reasonably long tart finish. I would give this an 88. For my tastes this is not a great year for this wine. I previously considered this the benchmark but no longer sadly.
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2007 Estate Sauv Blanc $17.95
This wine has a slight sulphur odor on the nose. Something I never like. On the mid pallet are some nice varietal Sauv Blanc flavors but the wine is light on the finish and it does not last. I would give it an 87-88. Not bad, but not great either. A milder Sauv Blanc for my tastes.
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2008 Chenin Blanc Estate $17.95
This wine is golden in color with tropical fruits coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine fails to deliver much and is a thin wine with not a great finish. A poor Chenin blanc. But then I have yet to have a good Chenin Blanc from Niagara. I would give this one an 87.
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2008 Dry Riesling $14.95
This wine is definitely not as sweet as the Estate Riesling, but it’s also much thinner. This is not a great one either. I’d give it an 87 as well.
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2007 CSV Chardonnay $29.95
This wine is golden in color, with a varietal California style chard. On the mid pallet are some nice buttery flavors but not out of control. On the finish the wine is smooth and medium in length. This is a well made California style chard. Very nice. I would give it an 89.
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2007 Cab Franc $34.95
This wine is dark in color with lots of black fruits coming through the nose. On the mid pallet the wine has some nice complex dark fruits smack on varietal (for me). It builds nicely in the mouth and has a medium finish. It’s nice and dry with some tannins. It’s still a little young but very nice. I would give it an 88.

2006 LaPenna $34.95
This is an appassimento wine. It is a blend of cab franc and cab sauv. This wine is dark in color with lots of dark fruits on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a big one with long tannins on a medium finish that builds in the mouth. The wine has some of that raisin flavor but nothing too overwhelming. I would give it an 88.

Cave Spring wines a the LCBO

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Gourmet Food and wine Expo

Posted on November 19, 2010 by John Galea

We hit the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo last night at the convention center here in Toronto. As always it was a great event. The place has lots to offer. As usual I HIGHLY recommend public transit. It is impossible at the end of the night to have any clue how much you have consumed. The pours are inconsistent and sometimes you dump, sometimes you drink. The food is good but very expensive so I recommend you have a bite to eat before you go. You can buy tickets online or at the door. LCBO’s have a discount coupon that saves you $3. You pay an admission fee then buy coupons worth $1 a peice. The cost of the tasting is dependent on the cost of the bottle of wine. For 8 tickets we were able to taste 2 ounces of a $100 bottle of wine. Most are between 1 (for the inexpensive bottles) and 3 tickets (so $1-$3). Food also is purchased using these coupons. You can buy the coupons in blocks of 20. My GF and I bought $60 worth of coupons between us and it worked out about right. We shared tastings so we could taste more! Be sure and stop by! Food and Wine Expo

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2008 Murphy Goode Chardonnay

Posted on November 18, 2010 by John Galea

We stopped by Rodney’s Oyster bar and they had this one on the menu by the glass. The wine is golden in color with loads of deep rich varietal chard smells wafting off the glass. Yumm. My taste buds are all ready. On the mid pallet this is a California style chard with lots of butter (but not over the top), lovely vanilla and the right amount of oak. This is a well crafted spot on varietal California style chard. The finish is medium in length and it lingers and builds nicely in the mouth. I would give this one a 90. Not available at the LCBO unfortunately but $14 at the winery. If your at Rodney’s this is an excellent choice. The wine by the way is from Sonoma California. I tried Natalie’s food and wine pairing and she suggests a chardonnay. So there you go. Oddly enough I would have chosen a Sauv blanc.

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Ridgepoint winery visit and tasting notes

Posted on November 14, 2010 by John Galea

Updated 11/16 with tasting notes …

I enjoy taking trips to Niagara to the wineries, the Inn’s and the wonderful food that has become a part of the wine industry. It’s a lovely place to visit and so close to home. I’ve been to Ridgepoint on a number of occasions and keep going back. They have some unique wines at Ridgepoint. They have planted an acre of Nebbiolo grapes. These are the grapes used in Italian Barolo’s and Barbaesco’s, a testimonial to the owner’s Italian background. I’ve always found the staff at Ridgepoint knowledgeable, friendly, approachable and attentive. Today we really lucked out that it was super slow which gave them lots of time to spend with us, which I REALLY appreciated. Ridgepoint has a lovely “casual dining” experience where they serve lots of Italian style food. We had the wild boar sausage that was prepared for us by the dish’s creator Christopher Knight. It was delicious. Each time I’ve been there the food has been excellent and at a fair price. In the summer they have nice big patio. They are very accommodating and unpretentious. We stopped by one time after mountain biking in Short Hills Provincial park and they welcomed us! Milly (spelling???) served us and she was excellent! Laura took care of us in the tasting room and spent lots of time explaining the wines, setting up a flight for us, just the right way! All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ridgepoint. I highly recommend a stop at Ridgepoint.

Ridgepoint wines in the LCBO

Here’s a mini review of the wines we tasted:

2007 Pinot Noir $25.25. This wine is pale in color with a mild pinot varietal nose. A little earthy, some rustic scents coming through. On the mid pallet wine is a smooth well balanced pinot with those same rustic earthy tones coming through. This is a milder pinot noir. So much so that Lorraine who was with me, who does not like pinot noir’s normally enjoyed this one! On the finish the wine is nice and dry with a medium finish. A very nice Pinot. I would give it an 89 or so.

2008 Merlot $14.25
My regular readers know I have a narrow version of what Merlot ought to taste like. Plum is what I look for. This wine is not a bad wine with some nice complexity, reasonable finish and lots of dark berries coming through, but to my tastes, this is more like a cab than a Merlot. I would give it an 88 or so. Still not a bad wine.

2007 Meritage $25.25. This wine is 35% cab sauv 35% merlot and 27% cab franc (no idea what the other 3% is, either I wrote it down wrong or …). The wine is dark in color with a nose of dark berries again. You can get the cab franc on the nose for sure. The wine has a very nice finish, medium in length with some tannins and oak that are well under control. I enjoyed this wine and was one the wines we had at lunch. I would give this a solid 89. Very nice. Check LCBO stock

2006 Nebbilolo $40. This wine is dark in color with lots of earthy notes coming up. The wine has some lovely dark berry, deep rich flavors consistent with a Barbaresco. Ridgepoint have done it. They have made a pretty reasonable facsimile of an Italian Nebbiolo. The wine is big with lots of pallet coating tannins. This wine will go fabulous with a steak or lamb. I was thrilled to be able to finally sample (and buy this wine!). I would give it a solid 89. Very well done. Niagara is not kind to this grape. It hates our winters!

2007 Chard $20.25. This wine is yellow in color (not quite golden). On the nose this wine is a varietal (albeit milder) chard. On the mid pallet are some varietal flavors with some butter coming through. This is a light well made chard. On the finish the wine is medium in length with some nice flavors lingering but not all that strong. This is a finesse wine. I would give this one an 88.

2008 Riesling Dry $15.26. Very pale in color with a varietal nose of honey suckle. Not too sweet though. On the mid pallet with wine is a lovely dry riesling, smack on. The finish is on the lighter side of medium. This one is displacing the Cave Springs as my favorite Niagara Riesling now. The current year from Cave Springs, even the dry one, is just too sweet for my tastes. I really enjoyed this one and would give it an 89-90!

All in all I was impressed with my visit to Ridgepoint. They are doing better and better each year hitting the points where Niagara does well while still having room to innovate. Ridgepoint wines are good value for your money. I hope they are able to continue the pace of continuous improvement! Great job folks.

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2008 Ironstone Merlot

Posted on November 12, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark purple in color, with a hint of merlot like plum on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine was dominated by alcohol right out of the bottle. It definitely needs some breathing and patience. At one point I breathed in near it and almost choked. Throughout the mid pallet are some hints of varietal plum, but these are dominated by more cab flavors. I’d say cherry and yes some licorice. The finish is medium in length and has some oak, some tannins and a bit of spice on it. This is not a bad wine if you ignore that it is not a Merlot. I would give it and 87-88. If you do pick it up be sure and let it breath a good hour or so.

From the LCBO web site:
IRONSTONE MERLOT 2008 VINTAGES 704353 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Ironstone Vineyards
Release Date: Oct 2, 2010

Description
A terrific value, this bright and fruity Merlot is extremely well-balanced and very food-friendly. It’s dry, medium-bodied, soft textured with clean plum and cherry flavours plus notes of licorice and vanilla. Enjoy with roasted pork, veal chops, or a medium-rare steak.

From winecurrent.com:
Toast spice and mixed field berry on the nose this is smooth well balanced and mellow with a lovely wash of ripe fruit flavour”mint-infused cherry and mixed dark berry”that carry through the lingering aftertaste. Its medium bodied with a substantial texture and underpinned by ripe almost imperceptible tannin then framed by soft acidity. Its well paced and well priced from a top-notch producer consider picking up a handful. (Vic Harradine) (704353) $15.95 Rating 4/5

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2009 Robertson Sauv Blanc

Posted on November 10, 2010 by John Galea

I’ve written about this wine a number of times and it is continuing to be consistent. For a wine as inexpensive as this that’s impressive. The wine is pale in color with lovely cirtus coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet are lovely cirtus to match the bouqet along with some lemon and grass. This is a spot on varietal Sauv blanc. On the finish the wine is medium in length with a nice lingering citrus flavor living on in the mouth. This is a VERY food friendly wine. I would give it a solid 88-89. Try some, you won’t be disappointed (if you like Sauv blancs!).

From the LCBO web site:
ROBERTSON WINERY SAUVIGNON BLANC LCBO 129684 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.00

Limited Time Offer Was: $ 11.00 Now: $ 10.00 Until Nov 7, 2010

Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 12.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: South Africa, South Africa By: Robertson Valley Wines

Tasting Note
pale straw colour; soft pear with lemon aroma; medium body; soft pear flavour with dry lemon finish;

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TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2008

Posted on November 8, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some varietal cab flavors, cherries and dark berries. On the finish the somewhat typical dried fruits come through more strongly. The wine is medium in finish with some tanins and some dryness. The oak and alcohol are under control. Not a bad wine but nothing fabulous either. 88 or so …

What winecurrent.com had to say:
Heres an excellent addition to the cellar. The lifted nose of camphor and dark berry fruit segues a full-bodied mouthful of rich and concentrated flavour with juicy Bing cherry coffee-infused black currant and dark chocolate to the fore. Its beautifully textured with good weight and balance. Theres a generous ladleful of firm tannin. Drink 2015 to 2022. (Vic Harradine) (145920) $21.95 Rating 4.5/5

From the LCBO web site.
MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2008 VINTAGES 145920 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 21.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Tuscany, Italy By: Marchesi De Frescobaldi Release Date: Oct 30, 2010

Tasting Note
A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and sangiovese; aged for two years in new oak) Medium red. Floral red berry aromas complicated by chestnut and graphite. Sweet and smooth on entry, with juicy red berry and dark plum flavors and a fresh, moderately long aftertaste. Delicious, easygoing wine. Score – 88. (Ian D’Agata, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2010)

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2008 Grant Burge Shiraz

Posted on November 6, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with a lovely nose of dark berries coming through. On the mid pallet are lots of varietal Shiraz flavors coming through. Some chocolate and mocha to boot. Lots of dark berries. The finish the wine has a nice bit of spiceyness, some pepper and some nice tanins. The finish is medium in length with a nice bit of dryness that lingers. This is a well made wine. The oaks and alcohol are well under control. I would give it an 89-90. Very nice.

What winecurrent.com had to say:
The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour pick up a few. Darkbrooding fragrant aromas of blackberry jam and mixed spice abound. The rich and balanced flavours”black currant plum compote and ripe mulberry mingle with spice toast and nuances of mocha. Its mid weight and smooth as silk throughout. The long juicy fruit-forward finish is underpinned by a ripe tannin structure. (Vic Harradine) (738567) $16.95 Rating 4.5/5

From the LCBO web site:
GRANT BURGE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2008 VINTAGES 738567 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 16.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: Grant Burge Wines Pty Ltd
Release Date: Oct 2, 2010

Tasting Note
Fifth-generation winemaker Grant Burge is a master of Shiraz. This fine version showcases classic Barossa character, with individual flair to boot. Opaque ruby red in the glass, it’s brimming with spicy fruit – think fully ripe blackberry, plum and black cherry, with notions of menthol, cloves, dark chocolate and smoke. Dry, medium-full bodied and mouthfilling, with a silky texture, a ripe fruit core, and impressive tannic structure. Nice, lengthy finish. Hold for 1-2 years or savour it tonight with a sizzling steak. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2010)

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CHÃTEAU LARROQUE 2006

Posted on November 3, 2010 by John Galea

When I see an AOC Bordeaux below $20 with a good rating I run out and grab it. Generally they disappear quickly. This wine is dark in color with lots of black fruits on the nose but a little on the milder side. On the mid pallet are some lovely dark fruits to match the bouquet. This wine is exactly what one would expect from Bordeaux. Some lovely cherries and plums coming through. On the finish the wine is nice and complex with layers of flavors lingering on. It has a medium finish, quite dry with some tannins and just a hint of bitterness coming through. This is a well made wine for the price. I would give this a solid 90 and would agree whole heartedly with Winecurrent.com. With the change of the LCBO to this silly ebook format I rely heavily on Winecurrent.com. Thanks to the team at Winecurrent for their excellent, diligent and timely reviews! Be sure and run out and grab some of this one. You will be rewarded for your quest 🙂

From Winecurrent.com:
On the nose its ripe spiced black and red berry fruit plum tobacco and vanilla. Medium-full bodied the fruit flavours replay strongly on the palate with a hint of black pepper. The balance created by perceptible tannin and appropriate acidity along with a warm fruity peppery finish make this gold-medal winner very appealing. A great discovery it gets an extra half star for value. Drinkable now its also a candidate for short-term cellaring. (Susan Desjardins) (92536) $14.95 Rating 4.5/5

From the LBCO web site:
CHÃTEAU LARROQUE 2006 VINTAGES 92536 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Bordeaux, France By: M.C. Boyer de la Giroday/Ducourt, Prop.
Release Date: Oct 16, 2010

Tasting Note
Vibrant and fresh AC Bordeaux that is a terrific value to boot. Filled with raspberry, plum and cherry aromas, with hints of vanilla and black pepper. Dry with pretty, sweet fruit at the fore supported by firm tannins for some cellaring (2-4+ years). It will also match veal medallions in a red wine sauce if you want to enjoy it tonight. (VINTAGES panel, May 2010)

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Big yellow cab 2006 cab sauv

Posted on October 31, 2010 by John Galea

Dark in color with dark fruits on the nose and some earth coming through. On the mid pallet are some varietal cab with cherries coming through . On the finish are some pallet coating flavors, but the alcohol is really coming through. This really needs some breathing. At first I tried 1/2 hour in a decanter but that was not enough. We were a little short on time, dinner was ready so we resorted to an aerator. I’m always a little hesitant on these devices but tried it anyway. This is the one we tried:

Sure enough it did the trick. The alcohol flavors were gone and we were left with a much smoother well balanced fruit forward California style cab. Patience was definitely in order. You either need to let this age for a year or two, let it breath for 1-2 hours or use an aerator. On the finish are some tannins and it was on the lighter side of medium in length. Not a bad wine. 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:

BIG YELLOW CAB CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 VINTAGES 35014 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Mendocino Wine Co.

Release Date: Sep 4, 2010

Description
Here’s a Cab that is easy to hail. The whimsical name and label are all in good fun, but the wine inside is surprisingly serious. An excellent value, the wine is bursting with juicy blackberry flavours with notes of mocha and toasty oak. It’s dry, well-balanced and ready-to-drink. Well worth the fare. Enjoy it tonight with roast beef or grilled steak.

Here’s what winecurrent.com had to say:
13.5% alcohol Straightforward and bistro-styled this opens with a fragrant nose of smoky earthy tones mingling with mint-infused dark fruit. There are fruit-forward mouth-filling flavours of dark berry fruit and cherry that persist through the mid-length balanced finish. Pairs nicely with gourmet grilled sausage or backyard barbecued burgers. (Vic Harradine) (035014) $17.95 Rating 3/5 from Winecurrent
Featured 9/4/2010

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Chateau Des Charmes St David Bench 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on October 29, 2010 by John Galea

This wine in the past has been one of my favorite Sauv Blanc’s from Niagara. The wine is pale in color mild on the nose with some citrus coming through. On the mid pallet the wine has a bit of sweetness reminiscent of a Niagara Riesling. I’ve not noticed this before. On the finish the wine is long and lingering but in a good way, with some mild tartness coming through. This isn’t a bad wine but no where near as good as it has been in the past. It’s a little watery and flabby in comparison to the past. We paired it with a Tandoori chicken and it went well. I would give this wine an 88 or so. The wine definitely improved as it warmed up so be careful not to make it too cold.

From the LCBO web site;
CH DES CHARMES SAUV BLANC VQA LCBO 391300 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 1 This is a VQA wine Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Chateau Des Charmes

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; intense citrus and gooseberry aromas and flavours, with hints of pea pods; dry, refreshing lime acidity with a clean, dry finish. Excellent Sauvignon Blanc.

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Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz 2008

Posted on October 27, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is quite inky dark in color. Lots of lovely black fruits coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is smooth, slightly sweet wine with lots of blueberry jam coming through. It’s not jammy. But that’s the taste I get. Lots of black fruits. On the finish the wine is smooth and well balanced with tannins and alcohol well under control. For me, this is not a Shiraz but instead a Syrah. There’s no pepper to be found on the finish. We paired it with a rack of lamb marinated in the same wine. It went well and held it’s own. I would give this an 89-90.

From the LCBO web site:
THORN-CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2008 VINTAGES 595306 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95
Wine, Red Wine 15.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD
Made in: South Australia, Australia By: Thorn Clarke
Release Date: Sep 4, 2010

Tasting Note
The 2008 Terra Barossa Shiraz is opaque purple-colored. Aromas of pencil lead, pepper, violets, blackberry, and blueberry lead to a medium to full-bodied Shiraz with excellent depth and concentration, layered flavors, and a pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 5-7 years. Score – 89. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2009)

Winecurrent.com’s comments:
Displaying its Barossa Valley provenance this rich and concentrated Shiraz deserves your attention. The price-quality scale tips well in your favour pick up a few. Beautifully balanced flavours ”this no fruit bomb” of racy red pie cherry and tangy red currant meld seamlessly with rich succulent dark berry fruit. The lingering aftertaste delivers an endless stream of more of the same. Perfect sipped on its own or paired with grilled lamb chops. (Vic Harradine) (595306) $15.95 Rating 4/5 from Winecurrent

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Skillogalee 2006 Take Two (Shiraz/Cabernet)

Posted on October 25, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with a lovely bouquet of dark fruits jumping out at you. On the mid pallet are some lovely deep, rich and bold flavors. On the finish is a nice bit of oak and a medium finish with some nice tannins coming through. Overall this is a lovely wine. Not available at the LCBO yet but supposedly coming. I would give this one a 90 or so … Apparently $22.95.

Notes from the winery:
This is an 85:15 blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon – all dry-grown at Skillogalee and carefully made to retain good primary fruit characters and a fine acid tannin balance and structure. The wine was vinified in open fermenters and then basket pressed, matured in a combination of American and French oak before being bottled. It has rich, lively fruit characters on the nose and the palate with a light touch of oak showing through. The tannin structure is fine and soft, and there is enough natural acid to give it freshness and balance. This is an ideal wine for early consumption, but will last well in the cellar for up to five or six years.

Their web site.

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SKILLOGALEE BASKET PRESSED SHIRAZ 2006

Posted on October 22, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with a nice nose of dark fruits. On the mid pallet the wine is slightly fruit forward with lots of varietal Shiraz coming through. On the finish the wine is quite complex with layers of flavors coming through on a medium finish. I would give this one an 89.

From the LCBO web site:

SKILLOGALEE BASKET PRESSED SHIRAZ 2006 VINTAGES 165753 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 20.65
Wine, Red Wine 14.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: Skillogalee Wines

Release Date: May 15, 2010

Description
Clare Valley is known principally for its racy and fresh Rieslings, but its producers are also showing a deft hand with Shiraz. The valley’s warm days and cool nights mean the Shirazes show impeccable balance and structure. This Shiraz lives up to the region’s growing reputation. It shows classic Shiraz/Syrah aromas of blackberry, pepper and spring flowers. It’s a definite must-have wine for the barbecue season.

Winecurrent.com’s comments:
Deftly balanced and incredibly delicious this is the real deal at a very attractive price. Expressive aromas of minty cherry along with spice and floral nuances dance from the glass of this mid-weight generously textured beauty. The palates treated to a gusher of flavour with succulent mulberry black damson plum and mixed spice persisting through the lengthy balanced aftertaste. Each sip and glass is better than the one before. (Vic Harradine) (165753) $24.95 Rating 4.5/5 from

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Durbanville 2009 Sauv blanc

Posted on October 14, 2010 by John Galea

Stopped by Walkers Fish Market for their free Oyster Thursdays! Vicky and Sylvie the bartenders were taking care of me this evening and recommended this wine. It is pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are lots of lovely green grass and citrus fruits. The finish is slightly tart and lives on to build in the mouth lingering nicely. I had it with oysters and it went well. I would give it an 88 or so. Quite a good deal for the money.

From the LCBO web site:
DURBANVILLE HILLS SAUV BLANC LCBO 22251 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 11.95
Wine, White Wine 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in: South Africa, South Africa By: Distillers Corporation Limited

Tasting Note
Pale colour; herbaceous, cut grass and gooseberry aromas; intense and crisp flavours of grass and citrus.

Serving Suggestion
Olive and garlic foccacia; herb based dishes like pesto pasta, seafood

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DE BORTOLI DEEN VAT 10 PINOT NOIR

Posted on October 4, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is ruby red in color, varietal for a Pinot Noir. On the nose are the usual black fruits and some rustic bouquets again varietal for a Pinot Noir. On the mid pallet are the usual earthy notes with some rustic flavors. The wine has a long finish. This wine is a smack on varietal Pinot Noir. A good deal for the price. I would give it an 89 or so! Yummy.

From the LCBO web site:
DE BORTOLI DEEN VAT 10 PINOT NOIR LCBO 61622 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.05
Wine, Red Wine 13.6% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: De Bortoli Wines

Tasting Note
clear ruby colour; black cherry and cranberry aromas with a mineral tone; dry, medium body, fruit flavours with spice; well balanced with soft tannins to finish

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ELDERTON FRIENDS SHIRAZ 2009

Posted on September 14, 2010 by John Galea

When I first read the description on the LCBO web site I was excited so I grabbed one of these. The wine is inky dark in color with some deep rich berry flavors coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet are some equally deep red berry rich flavors. This is definitely a fruit forward Shiraz. Lots of jammy flavors, cherry pie, semi sweet, some chocolate all coming through. There’s lots going on. On the finish the wine is on the lighter side of medium with some tannins and oak coming through. It’s moderately dry on the finish. This wine is a kind of a collection of different flavors. If you like fruit forward you might enjoy it. If your looking for a big bold shiraz as one would expect from Barossa you will not. We paired it with a BBQ steak and it went reasonably well. I would give it an 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:

ELDERTON FRIENDS SHIRAZ 2009 VINTAGES 660480 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.95
Wine, Red Wine 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : D

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: Elderton Wines

Release Date: Jul 24, 2010

Description
If you want to impress your friends without breaking the bank, then this is your wine. From Barossa, this crowd-pleasing Shiraz is rich and vivacious with aromas and flavours of crushed berries, black plum, vanilla, chocolate and earthy notes. A stunning wine, this smooth and luscious red is great with roasted lamb, grilled steaks or even meat-based gourmet pizza.

Winecurrent.com’s write up on this wine:
Sharp and spicy aromas ”spiced plum and dark berry” rip from this tangy red. Theres a gusher of palate-coating racy flavour, cranberry and cherry pie balanced with kirsch liqueur and spice-infused bramble berry. Its medium-bodied quite well balanced with just a lick of toasty oak and vanilla. It finishes dry and mouth-watering and pairs well with grilled lamb chops. (Vic Harradine) (660480) $17.95 Rating 4/5 from Winecurrent.com

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Astrolabe 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on September 3, 2010 by John Galea

Pale in color. Lots of green grass on the nose. On the mid pallet are lovely green grass and tar flavors. The finish is on the medium side with the tartness lingering nicely. I would give this an 88 or so. A nice varietal sauv blanc. One dominated by tartness.

From the LCBO web site:
ASTROLABE VOYAGE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010 VINTAGES 10421 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 21.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Marlborough, New Zealand By: Astrolabe
Release Date: Dec 10, 2011

Tasting Note
Astrolabe left an impression during the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival and has found a receptive Canadian audience. Expressive aromas of guava, passion fruit, capsicum, honey and white grapefruit with typical sweaty undertones. A rich, creamy texture offers additional complexity and the very lengthy, mouth watering finish trails spicy, zesty flavours. Score – 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Daenna Van Mulligen, Vines, Oct. 2011)

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Fuzion Alta Malbec Reserva 2008

Posted on September 3, 2010 by John Galea

This wine is very dark inky in color. On the mid pallet are some dry oaky flavors with some dark fruits coming through. On the finish the wine is slightly dry with some lingering flavors. I would give it an 88.

From the LCBO web site:
FUZION ALTA RESERVE MALBEC LCBO 135475 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 10.00

Wine, Still Table Wine, Red Still Table Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1

Made in: Argentina, Argentina By: Familia Zuccardi

Tasting Note
Bright, deep ruby with pale ruby rim; ripe black fruit aromas with notes of spice, chocolate, toast and vanilla; dry with medium/full body, balanced medium acidity and fine velvety tannins; ripe cherry, raspberry and spicy flavours lead to a long finish; serve with barbecued flank steak or lamb with a cherry reduction.

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SEÑORIO DE ARDURA CRIANZA 2006

Posted on September 1, 2010 by John Galea

Crianza in case you are not aware is 100% Tempranillo grape is unique to Spain. This one is dark in color. On the nose there are some nice dark fruits coming out and a bit of oak. On the mid pallet are dark fruits coming through. On the finish this wine has some big tannins, some dry pucker power, a bit of acidity, a bit of chocolate cacao, leather and a longer finish. The wine softened as it breathed, I suspect this one is a bit too young still. Some time in the decanter would help too but I didn’t have one with me at the cottage. This is a reasonably varietal Tempranillo and we paired it to BBQ’d lamb chops. It held it’s own and complemented the lamb quite well. I would give this an 88. A year would like make a world of difference on this one if you have the patience and enjoy tempranillos.

SEÑORIO DE UÑUELA CRIANZA 2006 VINTAGES 172544 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.95
Wine, Red Wine 14.1% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: Rioja, Spain By: Bodegas Patrocinio

Release Date: Jun 26, 2010

Description
Winner of a Silver Medal at the 2009 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

Tasting Note
This 100% Tempranillo has a wonderful deep ruby colour. Engaging aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and sweet cedar delight the nose. Dry, medium bodied with plush tannins and ripe blackberry and raspberry notes on the palate. Enjoy this Rioja alongside beef tenderloin topped with cherry sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2009)

Winecurrent.com’s write up:
14.0% alcohol A well-priced crowd-pleasing red there are aromas of toasty oak vanilla and ripe red cherry/berry. Mid weight with a silky mouth feel it gushes with gorgeous succulent flavors of cassis and blackberry balanced and moderated by tangy pie cherry. Theres ripe tannin and fruit flavor galore on the long mouth-watering finish. Give it a go with grilled chorizo. (Vic Harradine) Upstream in winecurrent Vintages Release: August 21 2010 (172544) $14.95 Featured 6/26/2010. 4/5 stars

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2008 WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY

Posted on August 29, 2010 by John Galea

I first encounted this wine at the Churchill wine cellars annual portfolio tasting and wrote it up then.. We were stopped on by Walkers Fish market and chose this one off their wine list. They were charging $42 for $17 bottle of wine. The wine is slightly golden in color. On the nose are some mild chard bouquets with some Sauv blanc mixed in. On the mid pallet are some lovely deep rich chard flavors with some butteryness. This is a wine that is all about control. If your looking for a mild Chablis style chard this is not your wine. If your looking for a big in your face buttery creamy chard this is not your wine. If your looking for a well crafted wine that will go well with many different foods, then this is a good choice. The wine is on the longer side of medium with a lovely lingering flavor and bit of tartness. The oak is there with some vanilla evident on the tongue but again well in control. Alcohol is there but well integrated. I really enjoyed this wine. I paired it with Oysters and a tomato sauce based shrimp pasta and it went very well. I would give this wine an 89. For the money I think this is a good deal!

From the LCBO web site:
WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY LCBO 175430 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 16.45

Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 1

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Wente Brothers

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; tropical fruit and a touch of coconut aroma; tropical fruit and soft vanilla oak flavour

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LOUIS JADOT MACON VILLAGES CHARDONNAY 2007

Posted on August 26, 2010 by John Galea

The wine is pale in color very mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some very subtle chard flavors with little to no oak present and alcohol well under control. This is not really a fruit forward wine either. This would be in the milder side of a Chablis style French chard. The finish is on the lighter side with not a whole lot living on in the mouth. I paired it with smoked Salmon and it went ok but not really a good match. I did try the wine it’s own before and after and it did not change my thoughts. I also let it warm up and that also did not change it a whole lot. All in all this is a very mild wine which may or may not be to your tastes. For me there is not enough going on to justify the price. I would give it an 87. I won’t be rushing out for more of this one for sure …

LOUIS JADOT MACON VILLAGES CHARDONNAY LCBO 164145 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 14.15
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in: Burgundy, France By: Maison Louis Jadot

Tasting Note
Clear pale yellow colour; inviting aromas of apple, citrus and white nut with floral, vanilla and mineral notes; dry, medium body, well balanced and lively on the palate with refreshing acidity; flavours of pear, apple/citrus fruit, with notes of mineral and nut on the finish.

What Winecurrent.com had to say:
12.5% alcohol Alluring aromas of honeyed fruit floral notes and wisps of green apple roll of this deftly balanced crisp and refreshing number. Its medium bodied with a nice mouth feel and a persistent and focused stream of racy flavourölemon zest and white grapefruitöthat improves as it warms in the glass. It finishes lengthy and luxurious in a blaze of pineapple tropical fruit and yellow plum. This punches well above its price offering good value. (Vic Harradine) (164145) $14.95 Featured 7/10/2010. 4/5 stars
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GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY 2009

Posted on August 25, 2010 by John Galea

I first tasted this wine at an Aussie wine event … It is pale in color mild on the nose with some citrus coming through. The paleness leads me to expect this to be a milder chard and the pallet matched the expectations. On the mid pallet the wine is a middle of the road chard with some varietal chard coming through with some citrus, lemon flavors. On the finish the wine is also middle of the road with it being on the lighter side of medium. On the back of the bottle they say 1/2 of the wine received oak aging and half did not and that totally matches what you get on this one. You can taste some oak and oak imparted flavors a hint of butter but very mild. If your looking for a huge big California style chard you will be disappointed. If your looking for a crisp Chablis French style Chard you will also be disappointed. This is right in the middle of the two. So it depends on your tastes as to whether you will enjoy the wine. I liked it, and I would give it an 88. Gemtree seem to be making some good wines with good value in the equation. I last blogged about their Tadpole Shiraz which was lovely and good deal for the money.

From the LCBO web site:
GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY 2009 VINTAGES 138305 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.95
Wine, White Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D

Made in: South Australia, Australia
By: Gemtree Vineyards

Release Date: Jul 24, 2010

Description
‘Gemtree makes wine from estate-grown fruit … their focus appears to be on making quality wine as the new Gemtree collection is filled with outstanding value from top to bottom.’ (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2009)

Tasting Note
Pleasant citrus nose, with aromas of lemon, lime and lychee. The zesty citrus continues on the palate, joined by flavourful notes of tart green melon and juicy pear. All the flavours culminate in a lovely finish, with a touch of spearmint. Enjoy it tonight with a grilled vegetable frittata, or some shrimp penne with pesto sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2009)
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