2013 Merlot – ****+ – $24.95 – Winery Only – This wine is stunning! The nose is ripe aromas of smoke with black currant, blackberry and coffee. The nose almost fools you because it is restrained and elegant. Once the wine hits your tongue prepare for a wake up call....
There are two big events that I mark on the Calendar for every year in wine country. Cuvée takes place in the winter, you can see my thoughts from 2015 by clicking the link. The Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration takes place in the summer. This event is important because it...
2013 Lailey Merlot – Vintages 591396 – $24.95 – **** – The nose is jammy dark fruit with plum, blackberry and currant. I still maintain that I am a Merlot doubter… but when it’s done right it is very good. The flavours are Blackberry, Black Currant and Raspberry with hints...
I have had Grappa a couple of times before. And while we are in the middle of a cocktail revolution that is sweeping the city Grappa has not made it’s way into many cocktails that I’ve seen. For myself, I prefer spirits that require little fuss and can be enjoyed...
I hosted a Cabernet Franc tasting earlier this year, and I am still sorting through my notes on 47 different wines from all over the province. I was fortunate to have the Bench Trial wines included in my panel. Currently operating as a virtual winery they have a 2010 and 2011...
2012 Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling – Vintages 557165 – $17.95 – ****+ – This is a bottle of awesome right here. Off-dry and perfectly balanced with acidity. With the warmer weather this can be a little too easy drinking on a patio on it’s own. The fruit is pear,...
Last month I attended a wines of Portugal tasting. Prior to a walk-around tasting there was a crash course seminar hosted by Master Sommelier John Szabo. I don’t know much about Portugese wines. For most people their knowledge of Portugese wines start and end with Port. There is obviously much...
I was really looking forward to my visit to Leaning Post. I had a chance to meet owners Ilya and Nadia Senchuk last summer at I4C. After that this winery has a bit of a buzz about them. I have a soft spot for Gamay and they have quickly joined...
2013 Cave Spring Estate Bottled Chardonnay – Vintages 256552 – $18.95 – **** – Chardonnay under twenty dollars is quickly becoming my favorite price point for Ontario… simply put, because I can afford to drink it. Cave Spring has given us a very tasty wine that gives us a nice...
The weekend I was in Niagara tasting this wine it wasn’t supposed to be Syrah weekend but I was tasting with my friend Julian who loves it. I tasted Syrah at Marynissen, Lailey and Leaning Post (review next week). Needless to say I came home after eating my words that...
My visit to Back 10 Cellars was long overdue. I have been told by many people that I had to make the stop to try the Cabernet Franc. It was nice to find that there was more to Back 10 than just the Cab Franc. The small focused portfolio is...
2013 Trius Red – Vintages 303800 – $22.95 – **** – I look forward to this wine every year. I have said this before, but this is still a benchmark for value. Coming off the heels of the warm 2012 version of this wine (which is hopefully still ageing in...
