2015 Vieni Gamay Noir – Vintages 498519 – $17.95 – ****½ – The intensity of everything in this wine will make you want to stand up and applaud it. The nose is rich black cherry and climbs out of the glass with such concentration it feels like an invasion of...
Earlier this year I had a chance to do a broad tasting of the current offerings from Southbrook. Last year I had an opportunity to taste a depth of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. It would seem the wines for sale this year offer something a little bit interesting. Vidal served...
2014 Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris – Vintages 537076 – $24.95 – ***½ – This is truly summer captured in a glass. The fruit is pear and peach on the nose and on the palate. There is a delightful mineral note that forms the backbone to this wine and makes...
2015 Hidden Bench Estate Riesling – Vintages 183491 – $23.95 – **** – When it comes to consistency and quality for Riesling in the province of Ontario the Beamsville bench sets the bar. I look to bench Riesling as a way to help form the backbone to my collection because...
2016 Flat Rock Pink Twisted – Vintages 39974 – $16.95 – ****+ – This screams summer as watermelon and raspberry make appearances in the glass. I hesitate to use the word “serious” to describe this wine, but there is nothing more serious and versatile at your table than a well...
I stopped by Creekside as one of my first winery visits for 2017. It has been a while since i’ve stopped but the recent releases making their way to Toronto through Vintages have been fantastic. Needless to say there is a lot to look forward to available from Creekside. From...
2015 Flat Rock Chardonnay – Vintages 286278 – $18.95 – ****+ – Every vintage the Chardonnay from Flat Rock offers something to open with anticipation. The nose offers vanilla, orange and an apple note. There is a slight creaminess on the mid palate and balanced with nice acidity. The fruit...
2015 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay – **** – This offers up a solid textbook California Chardonnay – this won’t be for everyone but If you’re looking for buttered popcorn, and pineapple this is your way in. The flavours are nice and concentrated and the creamy mouthfeel feels as though it...
2011 Eastdell Cuvée Brut – Vintages 485615 – $24.95 – ***½ – I personally find it a little exciting when a new bottle of sparkling wine from Ontario makes its way up the highway and onto the shelves of the LCBO. This is a traditional method sparkling wine made from...
I visited Icellars recently and had a chance to meet Adnan and Elif the proprietors of their eponymous winery. The production is very small and the facility is a little unassuming on a stretch of road just up the road from Coyote’s Run. When you walk into the winery you...
2015 Konzelmann Estate Winery Baco Noir – $12.15 – ***1/2 – I have recently been critical of Baco Noir with my podcast partner Michael Pinkus. For Baco producers that are not Henry of Pelham the bar needs to be raised. Konzelmann have done a great job pushing the envelope with...
2015 Wildass Riesling – Vintages 129700 – $16.95 – ***½+ – The Wildass label continues to be one of my favorite on the shelf of the LCBO. This is the second label from Stratus, and as with the wines under the “premium” label (I use this word reluctantly) the bar...
