Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet Aurelio Montes the winemaker at Montes wines in Chile. He is also making wines at Kaiken in Argentina. A Caiquen is a bird that migrates between Chile and Argentina by passing over the Andes. The wines I tasted in the spring...
2012 Hinterland Les Étoiles – $39.00 – Winery Only – ****1/2 – This is not going to last at the winery for long. Before reading this review any further go onto the Hinterland website (http://www.hinterlandwine.com/) and order a few bottles of this. Simply put this is the best vintage of...
I guess I should stop calling myself a Syrah doubter. I don’t think that everyone should make it, or have it planted in Niagara but there are a few wineries who are consistently doing it well. Kacaba would be one of those wineries. 2013 Silver Bridge Vineyard Syrah – $29.95 – ****+...
2013 Stratus Red Icewine – Vintages 56689 – $39.95 – ****+ – Red Icewine is still a well kept secret in the province. If you have never had the chance to taste Red Icewine you may as well set the bar high and go with a great producer like Stratus....
2013 Rosewood Harvest Gold Dry Mead – Vintages 346767 – $14.95 – ****+ – (500ml bottle) – I love it when the signature of Rosewood makes its way to the vintages shelves. This is fun to sip on after or before a meal on its own because it’s so unique. The...
2013 Lady in Red – LCBO 266486 – $14.95 – This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is uncomplicated, unpretentious and easy drinking. This is a beautiful expression of the Lake Erie North Shore terroir. The fruit is very ripe – lots of Strawberry, Raspberry,...
2012 Chateau des Charmes Gamay Droit – Vintages 346742 – $16.95 – ****+ – I think many people underestimate the aging potential in Gamay. 2012 was a very hot summer giving us nearly perfect growing conditions for the Bordeaux reds. Drinking great right now you will find blackberry and dark cherry...
2012 Chateau Canteloup Médoc – LCBO 420000 – $19.65 – ***1/2+ – Who said that decent Bordeaux was expensive? or that it had to age in a cellar for years? This is uncomplicated straight forward and most importantly delicious. Fruit driven with very soft tannin on the finish. The nose...
2013 Cave Spring Indian Summer Select Late Harvest Riesling – Vintages 415901 – $24.95 – ****+ – This is a great wine for those of you who say that Icewine is too sweet. First off being a late harvest there is less sugar than in your regular Icewine. Secondly, this...
This is my last post about my visit to California. I can honestly say going through my notes and reflecting on what I tasted I am already eager to go back. There is so much to see, taste and eat in California that I am convinced even if I had...
Benziger has one of the most beautiful estates I have ever seen. It’s as if the hills surrounding the vineyards of this biodynamic winery are trying to swallow it. I spent my Sunday morning in the Sonoma Valley taking a tour of this vineyard. Just like with my Saturday visits...
