|
Wine Type
|
Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
|
Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
|
|
Red
|
2011 Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir Gravity
Twenty Mile Bench VQA
more
|
What can $30 bucks buy you that will stand out a bit from the crowd? Honestly, when it comes to wine, $30 can get you (at last count) 237 good bottles of wine (note: that figure was entirely made up). I think thirty is the figure where anyone walking into a wine store should walk out with a good bottle of wine. If you don’t, you’ve been robbed. This review will be short, however John has covered, in the past, a review on Flat Rock Cellars estate Pinot Noir. This review is for their bottle of Gravity, one of 4 higher end pinots that the vineyard produces. The winemaker calls this their “Best of the Best”, where the other 3 are all single vineyard pinots, designed to show off wine-making skills and terroir.
A vibrant red colour and a sharp berries hit your nose as you decant it. The nose stays on the berries, primarily raspberries and blackberries. The 18 months in French oak are present with vanilla and cinnamon flavours with hints of earthiness. While the winemaking is considered to be on the gentle side, this is still a medium body red that is consistent with a good finish length. The alcohol content is lower than what you would expect (12.5%) and the wine drinks older than it is. This is a very solid wine that displays everything you want in a “drink now” wine for the holiday season. Enjoy!
The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2009 Tawse Cabernet Merlot David's Block
Twenty Mile Bench VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
A small jaunt into the cellar for a wine to pair with lamb chops I decided on this wine. I'll admit it was on the first shelf I went to and it hit what I was looking for: red, dominating and a bit younger. Lamb can so often be overwhelming on wines, as it is a bold meat that takes over meals. To avoid this I often pair it with younger full-bodied and complex wines. TAWSE consistently produces solid Cabernet Merlots blends from their David's Block. Blends of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that match the above criteria as well as hold up to their value when compared to their lofty price.
This is a short review to say, if you can, go get a bottle or 10 of these, the technical term for the experience is "yummy". In all seriousness the nose was bold, with black cherry and tobacco. The colour deep and red. Initial sips gave a wine with much to offer, prominent tannins, great stone fruit, and a hint of vanilla. The Wine continued along these lines with it not softening terribly over the course of the meal. The red cherry and tobacco returned and hints of vanilla stayed on the even finish. This wine is a great drink now and it may have 1-4 years left to change during cellaring, though, I am not sure a change will be for the better. This is a very good wine.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 91 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2004 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard
Santa Maria Valley
more
|
Anyone who travels through San Francisco airport (SFO) and has 30 minutes to kill has probably perused one of the wine stores that dot themselves throughout. This bottle was purchased on one of those days back in March of 2010. Like I am apt to do, I put this in the cellar and figured it would come out at some later date. So out it came last night after I returned from, surprise, California (with a few bottles of Petite Syrah from <a href="http://www.turleywinecellars.com/">Turley</a>, but that is for another day). Ojai is a small city just north of Los Angeles and only a few miles east of Santa Barbara. While not known as a foremost wine region, <a href="http://www.ojaivineyard.com/">Ojai Vineyards</a> has produced some great wines over the years. The vineyard produces up to 8 single vineyard Syrahs (depending on the year) and this one in particular comes from the Bien Nacido vineyard. Bien Nacido is much closer to the ocean (West of Ojai) than Ojai, this allows for both good summer heat and cooler winds than their more eastern vineyards. This type of climate allows the varietal to grow similar to old world Rhone Syrahs. So how does this taste? Read on.
This inky wine is showing hints of rust as it is now 10 years old. The nose is plum and smoke with hints of spice. The initial sips show good fruit and even tannins. As you get deeper into the wine the balance remains, the tannins are firm but not overwhelming and the fruit is constant. Plum and and sweet berries (raspberry and blueberry) are distinctive but there is a hint of pepper. Overall this wine is ready to go and if you have had the patience to cellar it till now I do recommend opening and enjoying it as this ready to go. A good solid wine worth the original $40 spent.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2008 Ravine Vineyard Cabernet Franc Reserve
St. David's Bench VQA
more
|
A funny start to this wine which was purchased in August of 2011: after uncorking, the flow out of the bottle was unusually slow, upon closer inspection, the neck had significant sediment built up that it was actually slowing the flow, not sure I have ever had that before.
Ever since the first visit to the vineyard , Ravine has remained a quirky favourite of mine. I love their restaurant and I believe their wines show great promise. This is NOT a cheap wine to be thinking 'promise', you can buy some very good, nay great, wines in the $50-59 range that this one falls into. Ravine Vineyards, like many Ontario wineries, often have a hard time selling their higher end wines at prices which are priced according to effort, labour and love. Rightfully or wrongfully, the market is saturated with wines from the 'old worlds' in the price range that will all but guarantee you an excellent drinking experience. So why take a risk with Canadian wines in the same price range? Because you can be rewarded with something worth well and above the price tag, all while ignoring the easy reasons: supporting a dedicated and professional industry. So how does this $55 Ontario Cabernet Franc do? Read on!
The colour and nose show good age with a nice brown hue and earthy notes. The first few sips are odd, they have a light start and strong finish indicating that maybe a decant was needed. The fruit is instant with raspberries consuming you. Slight hints of licorice and pepper are evident. Past the initial reaction the wine actually settles down wonderfully. Acid levels are calm while tannins are firm but not overwhelming. The fruit is consistent but not overwhelming and the pepper, spice and smokiness compliment what turns out to be a very even keeled wine. The finish is nice and long without being a nuisance. This cabernet franc is excellent, it is complex enough to satisfy those who want something big for their money, yet subtle enough to please the more discerning pallet looking for nuances in every sip. A solid offering from a 'promising' vineyard.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2012 Place in the Sun Shiraz
Stellenbosch
more
|
This wine is my first review in a while. With a change domicile and ever increasing professional demands my content has decreased to a mere trickle while John continues to drink and blog with an intense passion.
This manufacturer (Zonnebloem) produces wine from an interesting concept of sourcing only fairtrade grapes from local growers in the Cape region for their "newish" label. They have a wide range of offerings (2 whites and 3 reds) and they have priced themselves very aggressively (this bottle is $12.95 at the LCBO). So what does this new world wine from have to offer? Read on for the review.
Before actually opening the wine it is fair to say I love their label. So many vineyards have creative and interesting labels these days it is nice to have simple yet engaging label to look at. All the info is right there, the varietal, the vintage and the name, yet it is done in a nice compact and almost elegant way. Obviously I spend too much time thinking about wine labels...
Cracking this open brings forward a full nose of tobacco, leather and plum. The colour is a nice purple red with good clarity. The first sip is rich with tannins and red fruit. A few more sips into this and you have a wine that has decently balanced tannins that may be a bit more forward in the mouth then you would expect. Hints of leather persist and chocolate seems to be nestled in between the plums and cherries. As the wine sits and breathes it settles down and turns out to be quite remarkable for its price point. Soft yet firm, a rare couple for under $20. Overall this is a very pleasant wine that will serve you well entering BBQ season. Open and decant 30 minutes prior to dinner and you will be well rewarded as you eat your steak, ribs or grilled chicken. Quite a pleasant surprise if I do say so myself, the rating represents value and quality.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 88 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2010 Tawse Pinot Noir Growers Blend
Niagara Peninsula VQA
more
|
A nice solid pinot. Complex enough to tantalize those wanting to pair with spicier or bold dishes, yet mellow enough to be had solo. Fruit is red tree fruit with earthy notes and hints of licorice. Overall a good wine that matches a fair price for a growers blend. Ready to drink now, though a year or two more in the bottle will not hurt it.
|
|
Red
|
2006 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra
more
|
Still young, yet a very solid well rounded wine. Great fruit, bold tannins, incredibly sound wine.
|
|
Red
|
2005 Pettavel Southern ÉMIGRÉ Shiraz Viognier Strathmore
Geelong
Shiraz Blend, Syrah more
|
2005 SOUTHERN ÉMIGRÉ SHIRAZ VIOGNIER
Alcohol: 14.5%, Closure: Screw cap
Blend Shiraz 95% Viognier 5%
The warm dry 2005 vintage produced fully ripe and concentrated Shiraz grapes, with the oldest vineyards on our Strathmore vineyard producing the most intensely flavoured grapes. These ripe grapes from 20 year old vines were destemmed and crushed to 5 tonne open fermenters along with lightly pressed Viognier skins fresh from the press. After four days of pre-fermentation cold maceration, yeast was added and the co-fermentation of Shiraz and Viognier began. The fermenting wine emitted a complex array of perfumed fruit aromas over the seven day fermentation period as the characters of both varieties were extracted from the grape skins at high fermentation temperatures. Following the completion of alcoholic fermentation the wine was macerated for an additional 15 days before being pressed to new tight grain French oak barrels. Aged for a total of 18 months in oak the wine developed further layers of complexity during maturation as the tannins softened and fruit flavours entwined. Final barrel selection and blending ensured balance, complexity and subtle tannin structure before the wine was bottled with minimal filtration.
The 2005 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier captures the fragrance of the perfumed Viognier aromas displayed with white pepper spice, ripe red plum and blackberry fruit flavours. The full bodied palate demonstrates the impact that the addition of Viognier skins has on the tannin structure of a wine, the silky smooth finish adds a degree of accessibility during the wines youth without detracting from the long term cellaring potential of the blend. Enjoy now with rich red meat and game dishes or cellar for further integration and softening of the Viognier characters as the Shiraz characters become more evident along with increased complexity.
|
|
Red
|
2001 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera
Corvina Blend, Corvina more
|
still has 3-5 years of comfortable ageing left in. simply a fantastic wine, with great depth and complexity
|
|
Red
|
2008 Tawse Merlot David's Block
Twenty Mile Bench VQA
more
|
Very good Canadian merlot with tannins softer than expected for the youthful wine. Fruit is solid and the oak is not overwhelming.
Worth drinking now and for a few more years (2-4)
|
|
Red
|
1999 Mount Mary Quintet
Yarra Valley
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
Rarely am I at a loss for words. On this wine I am.
Robust, crisp, fruity and balanced, yet a tremendous amount of oak and the large $ brings this down.
A good wine, but to be honest, there are many wines of similar quality that are 1/3rd the cost.
|
|
Red
|
2008 Hillebrand Trius Grand Red
Four Mile Creek VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
outstanding, ready to drink now
|
|
Red
|
2004 Sumac Ridge Red Meritage Black Sage Vineyard
Okanagan Valley VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
soft and fruitless, well past its 'use by date'
|
|
Red
|
2007 Stratus Red
Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
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 finer points of this bottle from Stratus Vineyards. This wine falls into a very similar price point of 3 of the 4 recent wines at $44; while this seems normal it should be noted that I find Stratus wines to be consistently overpriced. Take away the fancy cellar door and very slick labeling/marketing and I still find these well crafted wines to be 10-20% higher then similar peers. This wine however is considered their “signature” red wine, so the price when compared to other “top end” wines is not truly out of whack. I know, I was just a bit wishy washy about price, if I had been talking to you in person I would simply shrug my shoulders at this stage and quickly change the subject!
The wine, yes enough blabber, the wine looks almost exactly like the past four Bordeaux-esque wines we have reviewed, inky red with good purple to it. The nose is muted, or better put the nose is nothing overwhelming. The first few sips yield a softer than expected wine with medium tannins and a quick finish. The fruit is a tad muted and overall the wine is nice but not overwhelming. After experiencing their Petit Verdot I was expecting much more of everything: longer finish, bold fruit, and strong tannins. This is a drink now wine and if you have only one do not wait or forget about it or else you may find it disappearing on you.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 86 out 100.
http://www.canadianwineguy.com
|
|
Red
|
2007 Calamus Estate Winery Meritage
Niagara Peninsula
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
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 times before but it bears repeating that this husband and wife team are a Niagara hidden gem. Tough to find and with little to no fan fare they are proving that the love of wine can produce some excellent product. This is one of those.
The 2007 vintage has a chance to go down as the best single year ever for Niagara wine making, with the reds especially being blessed. This one is no different then the past few Meritage reviews with it’s deep dark red colour and red tree fruit nose. The wine yields red berries and vanilla on the first few sips with young firm tannins gripping your tongue easily. As you settle into the drinking experience you will start to get an abundance of cassis with a smattering of pepper on your palate. All the while this wine will stay with you as the finish is long and smooth. No doubt this can continue to rest for 2 to 5 years and improve. Drinking now or laying down this is a tremendous value at $27.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 88 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot Speck Family Reserve
Short Hills Bench VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
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 very subtle nose. The first few sips reveal a solid amount of red fruit as well as a good amount of tannins. As the wine settles and you get further into it the complexity the long finish and good fruit will keep you entranced. At $45 this is starting to get up there in terms of price and it may be a reason to look at alternatives. Still this is a very good wine son enjoy it now or leave it cellared for two to five years.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Château des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard
St. David's Bench VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
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 the cellar, this wine is still big and strong. Solid tannins, a well-balanced and hardy Bordeaux style blend with a long finish. Fruit is still very apparent with cassis and blackberry evident; while spices like vanilla and chocolate make their appearance.
Overall this is a tremendous wine and you would be hard pressed to put this next to a solid Bordeaux Grand Cru or Napa institution without ranking it high on your list. At $40 (the usual price for the Equuleus) it is a steal.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 91 out of 100.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir Speck Family Reserve
Short Hills Bench VQA
more
|
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 and a visit to their property is always recommended. Their top end label has some of the best priced first growths on the escarpment, this is one of them at $36.
This wines rusty colour was the first indication that five years of aging was probably enough. A sure sign of an aged red is that rust/orange hue for those not aware. This pinot has hints of wild red fruit with undertones of leather. The first few sips present red cherry and some earthiness. The body is still rich with tannins with a medium length finish. While fruit is still present I would avoid laying this wine down much longer than a year or two at most. Any longer and I fear you’d lose the fruit and have something much less complex. Overall a good Pinot Noir, though not great enough to put it top 5 in a fantastic producing region.
The CWG Subjective Rating is 87 out of 100.
Http://www.canadianwineguy.com
|
|
Red
|
2005 Hoffman Cellars Pinot Noir Block 16
Russian River Valley
more
|
Soft, dull and muted. Jammy fruit and little finish. Overall a poor wine after 7 years, sad.
|
|
Red
|
2007 Hillebrand Trius Grand Red
Four Mile Creek VQA
Red Bordeaux Blend more
|
Solid tannins, good fruit, red tree fruit on the nose with hints of leather. Overall a great Bordeau style blend from a warm 2007 vintage
|
|
Red
|
2001 Alderbrook Zinfandel Reserve
Dry Creek Valley
more
|
Soft and degraded, waited too long to consume, still, enjoyable!
|
