7/15/2023 - theboot wrote:

Spicy, meaty, some iron and blueberries. Great acid. Flavour profile surprised me in a good way. Drink the next in 2-3

7/7/2023 - theboot Likes this wine:

Drink next in 2-3

5/12/2023 - theboot Likes this wine:

First time with this pretty well known producer and I’m impressed. Dead ringer for northern Syrah here. Blueberries, bacon, olives and some florals on the nose. Really silky across the mid palate, tannins soft, acid noticeable. A pleasant “bite” on the finish that builds and builds, then comes down gently. Great stuff

2/25/2023 - theboot Likes this wine:

Blueberries, tabacco, tomato leaf, blood, sweet black berries. Everything glides along the palate seamlessly. No bumps, jumps, rough edges or loud noises. Balance and precision over power. Understated and elegant in a category that’s usually bold and brash. Tough to maintain that house style in a hot year but they’ve pulled it off. A touch of bitterness on the finish if I’m going to be overly critical but it stays true to form for the most part. I find you can drink Sassicaia earlier than it’s colleagues.

1/6/2023 - theboot Likes this wine:

Really like this. Sweet cherry, strawberry, mushroom, and wet earth on the nose. Firm acidity, great texture, soft tannins, balanced, lengthy finish. Maybe a few years early but I don’t regret it. First time trying this producer.

11/5/2022 - theboot Likes this wine:

Everything I want in a dry Riesling; citrus, petrol, slate, a ton of energy on the palate that nicely settles into a long finish. A standout on my July ‘22 FLX visit. This can lay down for another 5.

10/31/2022 - theboot Likes this wine:

Too young but wanted a preview of what’s to come. Lime, grapefruit, green apple, and the classic wet slate on the nose. Med + acid, lots of energy and verve (all steel) on the palate and very good length. Revisit in 3 or so years

10/31/2022 - theboot Likes this wine:

Dark cherries, rosemary, a touch of VA under a layer of dusty Tuscan soil. Juicy acidity on entry, med tannins, good balance on the finish. Leave others a few years

12/11/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Picked this up on a work trip to Arizona 3 years ago. Needed a little time to open up, but then immediately hit me with that cherry coke Oregon Pinot nose. A little smoke underneath with some strawberry and vanilla. The palate is incredibly silky, waves of the above just layering on top of each other. Very well made wine from an obviously special place.

10/30/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Generous nose full of fruit. Grenache is quite pronounced despite the fact it’s only 10% of the blend. Tannins really soft but acid is there. Let’s wait another 2-3 and see is something savoury is in behind. Enjoyable wine.

10/2/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

A classic wine with a massive reputation. This is dark cherry, licorice, smoke, spice, and a little tobacco on a very concentrated nose. Tannins are gentle, acid med +, with that concentration maintained on entry, mid palate and finish. Just a quality wine. Too many of the super tuscans that followed after tignanello opened the door are so extracted and forced. This just stays in its lane with confidence and the right amount of restraint.

9/17/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Complex and deep, full nose of ripe dark berries, red liquorice, herbs, and big Turk chocolate bar (is that just in Canada?). Rich on entry, feels even riper on the palate which isn’t typical for me when I taste. Tannins are quite soft, acid makes itself known, viscosity more so. Fights for balance on exit like an RWD super car out of a turn (it’s hot). A really well made and special wine. I like fruit to be in front for CdP and typically get to them young. This is right there before secondary takes over. Exactly what I needed to slow me down after a long week.

9/3/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

2 hour decant. Blueberries, pencils, tabacco. Big but restrained. Really well done. Wait two years for the next.

7/30/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Beautiful ripe red fruit on the nose. The same sweet berries on entry, great weight and balance through the mid palate and finish. Primary now but I think it has the stuffing to hold for a while. Punches way above its regional weight class.

7/2/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Beautiful and lifted nose of strawberry, cherry, herbs, even some cola. Refreshing acidity, soft tannins and a lot of fruit through the mid palate. Really well made. I keep going back for more. Rosso di Montalcino continues to be severely underrated in my opinion.

6/25/2021 - theboot Does not like this wine:

Very disappointed. Bitter herbs, flat, faded fruit, disjointed….boring

5/15/2021 - theboot wrote:

Classic brunello here. Sour cherry, balsamic, tobacco, grapefruit peel, dry earth. Pronounced acidity, round tannins, great weight and balance start to finish. When Sangiovese shines, it shines very bright. This wine slows you down in the best way.

4/24/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

What a personality on this. Ripe berries, plum, beet juice, some herbs, maybe a bit of soy sauce. Med - tannin, med + acid, effortless across the mid palate. No warmth on the finish just pleasant and engaging persistence. Big fan.

3/5/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine. Relaxation in a glass. Elegant but confident nose of all things Syrah. Great acid leading the structure with poise. It moves through the mid palate and finish in complete harmony.

1/23/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

4 hour decant. Certain aromas (or combination of) immediately recall fond memories. A former colleague of my wife’s used to make an incredible Jamaican Black (fruit) cake every Christmas and this is it in a glass. Waves of stewed fruit, chocolate, and some sage. Surprising acid on the palate, full bodied, alcohol held in check which isn’t easy at 16 points. Length goes forever. I don’t open amarone often, but it’s very cold outside and I have a 5 hour bolagnese on the stove.

1/16/2021 - theboot wrote:

Pours dark, like new world cab type dark. Very ripe nose of cherries soaked in alcohol, coffee, vanilla. No one is calling Sangiovese here. This needed 5 hours before you could get to it and even then it’s tough. Tannins still firm, Med plus acid, thick, extracted, and hot. High quality for sure, I understand the mass appeal, but it’s not for me. Sangiovese just shouldn’t be 15%. This feels forced, and after trying 3 different vintages, it’s clearly a stylistic direction.

1/9/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

A master class in balance. Still very primary on the nose even at 11 years of age. Plums, blackberries, and graphite dominate. Medium + everything in near perfect proportions. Great length; no jumps, spikes or surprises. Just a wave of pleasure. Long life ahead still. I won’t revisit for at least 5 more years.

1/2/2021 - theboot Likes this wine:

What a nose. Cherries, red currants, then sage, balsamic, leather. Primary and tertiary intersecting beautifully at this stage. Tannins very soft, acids Med + and alcohol in check for a warm year. You can tell they picked early. Length is incredibly long. Benchmark brunello. Can’t stop smiling with this in hand.

12/31/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Beautiful colour; salmon with some orange tint. A fresh berry, Spanish rosé nose with some textbook cava “rubber”. Above average intensity on the palate and bone dry. Tart citrus, underripe berries, pomegranate maybe? Quality mousse all the way through. Certainly deserves more attention than your typical aperitif.

12/18/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Already has that mature richness, beautiful colour and tons of complexity. Length is very long. Great spot now but we’ll see what a few more years does

12/11/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Orange peel, potpourri, leather and some balsamic notes on a very expressive nose. Beautiful concentration on the palate, appropriately high acidity and refined tannins. This has everything you want in a Barolo and the levels to go the distance. Best I’ve had in a while.

12/4/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Strawberry and candied cherry on the nose with some soft florals in behind. Really vibrant and alive through the mid palate with all that flavour clinging to the acidity straight through the finish. Long ending hiding the 14 points well which isn’t always easy with granache. Opened this early and will leave the next one alone for a few years.

11/27/2020 - theboot wrote:

A powerful wine with a great nose but the alcohol is just way out of wack from the rest of the package and finishes too hot and bitter. I’ll revisit in a few years.

11/20/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Black fruit, cigar, and a little dill. Beautiful intensity, concentration, and balance. This is at the top of the Rioja quality pyramid for me.

11/14/2020 - theboot wrote:

I guess I’m piling on to the string of recent disappointing reviews. Decanted for 3 hours. Nose showed promise, still relatively fresh, with the primary fruit and spice ahead of anything else. The palate was completely underwhelming. No cohesion, just a spike of acid, hollow in the middle and a lacklustre finish. Luckily my last bottle.

11/13/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Sancerre isn’t typically a “wow” wine for me but this is an exception. Crazy concentration of citrus, almond, and underripe peach both nose and palate. Acid where it should be, alcohol in check and finish long long long. I’d serve this to anyone wondering what Sancerre is capable of delivering.

10/31/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

First time trying this varietal. Strawberry licorice on the nose, soft tannins, med+ acid, really juicy and a long, warm balanced ending. Really like this

10/30/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Salty citrus on the attack but 50/50 in how it presents. Really nice balance and a longer finish than you would think. A very interesting wine that makes you stop and think about it while sipping.

5/3/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

The entry level Côte Rôtie from Guigal. Decanted for 2.5 hours and it needed it. Got more savoury as time went on with a decently perfumed nose of olives, tomato, some red berries, black pepper. Tannins were quite soft and acid Med +. Not the complexity or layers I was hoping for, but the finish was surprisingly long and mellow. Elegant and refined? Sure. But I can find Crozes-Hermitage or St. Joseph at half the price that would outperform this.

4/19/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Olives, licorice, blueberries, violets, and a little smoke. Acid is quite pronounced, tannins very soft. This is quite nice to come back to over the course of a few hours without taking it too seriously. Not sure it will hold for many more years, but in a pretty sweet spot right now. Just a solid Syrah with personality.

3/27/2020 - theboot Likes this wine:

Age has not hurt this at all. The mature notes you would expect but what amazing intensity of flavour still. Length is wildly long. I love this wine

5/19/2019 - theboot Likes this wine:

Honeycrisp apples and lemon on the nose. Pronounced acidity balanced by a touch of RS. Very refreshing when the weather is right.

4/12/2019 - theboot Likes this wine:

Light in colour, soft and elegant on the nose. Cherries, florals, spice, an earthiness distinctly Tuscan. Acidity is quite high and tannins mellow. Really nice and in a good place right now.

9/22/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Super clean nose, pure fruit, plum, blueberry, cracked black pepper. Soft tannins, medium plus acid, great balance, nice long finish. Another winner for these guys. Very well made and crzy value.

8/11/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

World class pinot. Ripe raspberries and cranberries under layers of earth and hint of campfire. Acid is spot on, tannins soft, beautiful balance on a drawn out finish.

8/2/2018 - theboot wrote:

Really muted nose. Working at it reveals some leather and flowers. Acid and tannins are high, but the flavour disappears quickly and shortens the finish. Not sure if time will improve it but I'll try again in 5

7/28/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Chocolate, plums, pencil shavings. Quite ripe. Big on the palate, you feel that 14.5. Modern for sure, more new world than old. Comes together nicely on the finish and still has life left. Would not have called Bordeaux blind that's for sure.

6/23/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

A nose packed full of tropical fruits, great acidity and super refreshing. A great summer wine.

5/28/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Quince, melon, almond, clove, and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Medium acidity, medium plus body, great intensity on the palate. Finish lingers. Too young still I think, but I love this stuff.

5/20/2018 - theboot wrote:

Ripe ripe ripe. Dark berries, chocolate and some smoke on the nose. Huge on the palate with tons of extraction and way more alcohol than necessary. This punches you in the face.

5/4/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

My god this is nice. Red apple, lemon custard and vanilla, coming through on the nose. Beautiful creamy texture but not at all heavy thanks to the pronounced acidity that you can count on Niagara to bring. Finish is very long and perfectly balanced. Only 200 cases made and I'm sure highly coveted.

4/14/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Pours on the paler side of sangiovese with some bricking at 7 years of age. Blueberries, cherries, violets, balsamic, tobacco, leather on a very complex nose. Acid is screaming on the palate and the tannins are quite soft. Things explode on the finish and stay warming for minutes. Looks are deceiving here and it will interesting to see how it develops.

4/6/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Very fragrant nose of currants, beet root, red bell pepper, and graphite. Acid stands out on the palate that thins out without the tannic structure I was hoping for. Alcohol is in-check and the finish is long but it's a tough QPR for me as is often the case with premium Niagara offerings.

4/5/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Green apple, some pear, touch of vanilla and chalk on the nose; nice intensity. Creamy mouthfeel, pronounced acidity, med + alcohol and noticeable minerality. Balance is spot on. Punches above its weight class for sure.

3/17/2018 - theboot Likes this wine:

Not super expressive, but dark fruit, florals, tar, quite elegant on the nose. Really comes alive on the palate, soft grained tannins, med + acidity and a beautiful, warming finish that keeps going and going and going. Great quality here and I think approaching, or at its peak.