2015 La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – Vintages 962886 – $29.95 – **** – When you picture California Chardonnay in your head you’re probably imagining what this wine smells and tastes like. This is a great reflection of the hot 2015 summer with aromas of orange, canned peach and candy...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc – **** – This was tasted in early February 2017, I need to point this out because when I opened this bottle the tannin was firm and grippy the whole way down. I don’t expect this to last for too long, but for a...
