2013 Charles Baker Piccone Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 241182 – $35.20 – ****+ – I have a hard time ageing white wines in my home. The problem with Riesling is that while it does have fantastic ageing potential, it offers so much in it’s youth. I recognize Riesling north of...
I recently made a visit to Five Rows winery for the first time. There’s a good chance you haven’t heard of this small winery. The reason is simple, there really isn’t a lot of wine being made here. This winery is the definition of cult following. Winemaker and grape grower...
2016 Remy Pannier Muscadet – LCBO 13821 – $15.20 – **** – The problem I have with Muscadet is that it generally needs to be paired with food. This Muscadet, on the other hand, is welcoming and approachable. There is a nice citrus note, a grassiness and tons of mineral....
2015 Cave Spring Estate Chardonnay – Vintages 256552 – $18.95 – **** – I would love to see this bottle as a vintages essential so I can get it year round. While founder Len Pennachetti will refer to Cave Spring as the house that Riesling built, this winery rounds out...
2014 Hillier Creek Gamay Noir – Vintages 372839 – $22.95 – **** – This bottle is made with Prince Edward County fruit. Aromas of cherry that goes from ripe red to candied climb out of the glass. Prince Edward County is home to fantastic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but we...
2011 Benjamin Bridge Brut Sparkling Wine – Vintages 381533 – $49.95 – ****+ – This winery from Nova Scotia has been generating significant buzz for quite some time. This bottle is definitely one of the reasons why. With aromas that are nice and toasty with applesauce and citrus that climb...
2014 Chateau Des Charmes Rosé Sparkling – Vintages 78055 – $29.95 – ****+ – The nose offers subtle red fruit over a nice bready note. This is made in the traditional method with two years on lees. The vibrant red fruit is front and center with this bottle of Pinot...
2014 Trius Red Shale Cabernet Franc – ****½ – $45.20 – The 2014 Vintage wasn’t anything that during the summer and fall I envisioned being exceptional. It would seem that every bottle of Cabernet Franc I manage to get my hands on reveal something I didn’t notice at the time....
2014 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Vintages 331603 – $22.95 – **** – There is a lot of fruit in this bottle, and frankly, this is what you should expect from California during the very hot and dry 2014 summer. In spite of the concentration of fruit flavours there...
In March I made a visit to Domaine Queylus. There’s a good chance you’ve never made a stop by this winery because it’s a little out of the way on Sixteen Road. I had to double check my GPS a few times as I moved further away from the QEW....
Let’s call this post an epilogue on my visit to Oregon last summer. I drove from Oregon to Regina, Saskatchewan to finish off my summer road trip last year. I couldn’t resist making he pit stop in Walla Walla, Washington. Apart from being one of the most fun places to...
2014 Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay – Vintages 302083 – $24.95 – **** – This vintages essential continues to be a staple in my home when I am looking to show off great Chardonnay from Ontario. The nose is bright golden delicious and granny smith apple and a nice citrus note. The...
