2014 The Tragically Hip Ahead By A Century Chardonnay – Vintages 483875 – $19.95 – **** – The story of this wine is one of balance – barrel, fruit and acidity all seem to be in harmony with this bottle. There is a hint of baking spice on the nose...
It’s January. We are all waiting to open our bills and recoil in horror. Here are some suggestions from local sommelier Krystina Roman to save the day, and the pocketbook. You may know Krystina as The City Wino (twitter:instagram) on social media. I am pleased to welcome her wine recommendations...
2013 Chardonnay – $25.00 – **** -There is a lot of fruit on the nose of this wine – apples and lime with a nice mineral note that rises above everything. The flavours match the nose and there is a nice creamy mouthfeel on the mid palate. This wine does...
This post marks the end of my trip to the Okanagan this summer. But stay tuned starting in January I am going to be continuing my journey as I also visited Oregon and have a lot to say. Nk’Mip is located in the southernmost part of the Okanagan Valley. It’s...
2014 Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Sparkling Riesling – Vintages 370361 – $20.20 – **** – Simply put this should be essential for your holiday entertaining. Bright and crisp this will pair with any food that you can put on the table this time of year. Flavours are lemon, lime and...
2012 Chateau des Charmes “Old Vines” Cabernet-Merlot – Vintages 222372 – $21.95 – **** – This is very approachable and one of those wines that can drink a little too dangerously depending on the meal and company. Aromas of black currant and blackberry. There are hints of cocoa, and smoke...
2014 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – $18.95 – I always look forward to the Family Tree wines from Henry of Pelham. The blend in this wine is 33% Syrah, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Baco Noir. Syrah is definitely the dominant theme in...
2014 Wildass Merlot – Vintages 376822 – $18.95 – ****+ – Beautifully ripe and juicy red fruit climb out of the glass. This is outstanding Ontario Merlot at any price. The Wildass wines from Stratus set the bar for “entry level” wines in the province. The price of this wine...
2012 Union Forté – Vintages 361758 – $16.95 – ****1/2 – There is a lot of people experimenting with fortified wines in Ontario, but the Union Forté sits above everyone else. This wine offers something very different from the nose until the finish. The nose is candied cherry, plum and...
2013 Burrowing Owl Meritage – Vintages 644906 – $54.95 – ****½ – The short word on this is that it’s outstanding. The nose is rich and complex – Lots of blackberry, black currant, cocoa, and licorice. The flavours in this wine are just as rich and complex as what you...
Unfortunately my July 2016 visit to Black Hills Estate Winery this summer was abridged. Time had gotten the best of me and I was forced to cut the visit a little short. Without getting into my notes on the wine that winemaker Graham Pierce tasted with me, I can already...
2013 Megalomaniac Big Kahuna – $34.95 – ****+ – This is another great example of everything that’s right with Ontario in a typical summer. This wine calls itself the Big Kahuna, but it’s not as brash as the label would suggest. This wine is pure elegance. The aromas are ripe...
