Profiles

Kacaba – 2014 Oak Aged Chardonnay/2013 Terraced Vineyard Syrah

2014 Oak Aged Chardonnay – $24.95 – ****+ – Primary fermentation was done in stainless steel tanks, which is why this is not called barrel fermented. The Oak flavours on this wine are very well integrated and do not overpower very nice citrus fruit flavours. This wine is lots of...

Dominique Piron – Beaujolais Supreme!

Of all the wineries I visited in Beaujolais the portfolio at Dominique Piron was the best. There are still questions swirling about how well Gamay can age. These questions were firmly answered with my visit to this winery. Proprieter Julien Revillon opened up a Morgon from 1990 that had not...

Rennie Christine Chardonnay and Paradox Pinot Noir

2012 Paradox Pinot Noir – Winery Only (Malivoire) – $40 – ****+ – This Pinot has a striking balance between intense concentrated flavours from the warm 2012 vintage and graceful elegance. Black Cherry, Plum and Spice on the nose. The flavours on this wine are super concentrated that they fill...

Flat Rock Cellars (Feb 2016)

Flat Rock has some great new wines hitting the shelves over the next few months. 2014 Unplugged Chardonnay – Vintages 068015 (Feb 20, 2016 Release) – $16.95 – ****+ – Who says Unoaked Chardonnay is boring? This wine brings bright Orange, Lemon and Apple on the nose. When you taste...

New Zealand Tasting (January 2016)

In the depths of Winter in Canada on the other side of the world they are celebrating Summer, so there really isn’t a better time to taste wines from New Zealand than now. I had the pleasure of tasting through Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, for which many people already...

2014 Peninsula Ridge Barrel Aged Chardonnay

2014 Peninsula Ridge Barrel Aged Chardonnay – Vintages 211490 – $15.95 – **** – It’s too bad you’re just reading these words … because if you could see me I’m doing a happy dance at another great bottle of Ontario Chardonnay that comes in under twenty dollars. This is for...

Konzelmann 2012 Heritage Reserve – 2011 Vidal Icewine

2012 Heritage Reserve – Winery Only – $30.15 – ****+ – I have made no secret of my disdain for the term Meritage so I had to chuckle a bit opening this bottle from Konzelmann to see it called “Heritage”. The Meritage does rhyme with Heritage if you are saying...

Malivoire: Now with Bubbles!

Malivoire have dipped their toes into the growing pond of wineries in Ontario making sparkling wine. I say just a toe because they have only made 380 cases total of their initial releases. It’s too bad there isn’t more because they are both very good. NV Bisous Brut – Winery...

Big Head Big Bang Sparkling

NV Big Bang Sparkling – Winery Only – $45.00 – ****1/2 – This is a very special wine. It’s the first sparkling wine from Big Head wines the name is definitely apt. The nose is lightly toasted bread, lemon and hints of vanilla. This wine is complex and rich and...

2012 Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs

2012 Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs – $28.95 – ****+ – Blanc de Blancs means that this bubbly is made with only Chardonnay. This style of Sparkling is quickly becoming my favorite in the province. The nose on this wine is creamy vanilla, citrus and fresh baked bread. This...

Big Head (Nov 2015)

I recently took a visit to the new brick and mortar facility for Big Head wines. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the new winery it is well worth the visit. Many of the wines are gettingĀ the appassimento treatment. There are many mixed reviews about using the...

Nova Scotia Tasting

I have been keeping an eye on what is happening in Nova Scotia. It’s been a few years since Benjamin Bridge made some waves when their Sparkling wine beatĀ some of the best Champagnes France has to offer in a blind taste test. I had the opportunity to taste through some...