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...
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...
Arterra are a pair of new wines being offered by Jackson-Triggs winemaker Marco Piccoli. These wines are going to fill a hole in the constellation portfolio that has been created by the absence of Le Clos Jordanne. That being said, these are not meant to emulate these wines but be...
I had a chance to visit the Foreign Affair this summer. If you haven’t been down to the winery you may have seen the Apologetic Red recently released through vintages. That being said there are a few wines that make this worth the visit. 2012 Sauvignon Blanc – **** –...
2027 Queenston Road 2013 Pinot Noir – Vintages 361832 – $35.00 – ****½ – This is a near perfect expression of St David’s Bench Pinot Noir. There is nice earthiness and slightly floral qualities that rise out of the glass. The earthiness to this wine is vivid like a damp...
2013 Marynissen Platinum Chardonnay – Vintages 471532 – $25.00 – **** – If you’re not a fan of oaked Chardonnay you may want to take a pass on this bottle. That being said this bottle does offer tropical fruit, oranges with butterscotch and woodsmoke. The key to this wine is...
2012 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet Merlot – $39.95 – ****½ – Right from the moment you open this bottle you know that there is something special in your glass. The depth to this wine is seriously impressive. There are aromas of Raspberry, Black Currant, Blackberry, Cocoa and...
2013 Domaine Queylus Tradition Chardonnay – Vintages 417774 – $24.95 – ****+ – The quality of Chardonnay at this price from Ontario is mind blowing. Beautifully complex with vanilla, butterscotch layered over apples and peaches. Flavours match the nose and bring a nice hit of baking spice on the finish....
2011 Stoney Ridge Excellence Chardonnay – Vintages 254243 – $17.95 – ****+ – It has been nearly a year since I last wrote about this wine. While the price has gone down by seven dollars, I feel that this wine has still improved. This wine offers intense tropical flavours and...
2014 Chateau des Charmes Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir – ****+ – $35.00 – The last time this wine was produced was in 2010. This is definitely something very special in the bottle. I know my own impressions when I first took my sip was to do a gustatory...
2012 Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay – ****+ – $34.95 – Curiously Southbrook has released their 2012 Wild Ferment after the release of their 2013. Coming from the very warm 2012 summer this is a very different wine from the more subtle 2013 Chardonnay’s coming from Southbrook. Bolder, and bigger with...
