Wine Review – Meiomi Pinot Noir 2015

Not a typical Pinot Noir, but well worth a look… Name: Meiomi Vintage: 2015 Producer: Meiomi, Constellation Brands Region/Country: A blend from Monterrey County, Sonoma County, and Santa Barbara County, California Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Vintages Wine Bar sommelier  on the cruise ship Cost: $27.95 CAD at the … Read more

Wine Review – Yangarra Estate GSM 2007

What you’d expect from a McLaren Vale GSM… Name: Yangarra Estate GSM, Cadenzia Vintage: 2007 Producer: Yangarra Estate Vineyard Region/Country: McLaren Vale, South Australia Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Vintages Wine Bar sommelier on the cruise ship Cost: $12 USD per glass on the cruise ship (although we … Read more

Wine Review – Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2015

A delightful, balanced, and complex rosé from Hidden Bench… Name: Locust Lane Rosé Vintage: 2015 Producer: Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Unknown Consumed: At home Recommended By: Harald Thiel, Proprietor and Vigneron Cost: $19.75 (from the winery) Bottle Presentation: Simple, recognizable label. Appearance: Pale salmon, although you could … Read more

Wine Review – Domaine Gouron Chinon 2014

Expected a little more from this highly rated Chinon… Name: Domaine Gouron Vintage: 2014 Producer: Domaine Gouron Region/Country: Loire, France Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home on a lovely spring evening Recommended By: Last bin at the LCBO Cost: $16.95 Bottle Presentation: Simple, classic label. The italic font gives it a touch of class. … Read more

Wine Review – Megalomaniac Pink Slip 2015

For once, we were delighted by a pink slip… Name: Pink Slip Vintage: 2015 Producer: Megalomaniac Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon Consumed: At home Recommended By: Pick randomly off the Rosé shelf at the LCBO. Cost: $19.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, recognizable label, which fits with the philosophy of … Read more

Wine Review – 13th Street Cellar Door Cabernet Franc 2013

13th Street Cellar Door Club members rejoice with this great, exclusive Cabernet Franc… Name: Cellar Door Cabernet Franc, Members’ Selection Vintage: 2013 Producer: 13th Street Winery Region/Country: Creek Shores, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Consumed: March 25th 2017 at home Recommended By: Jean-Pierre Colas, the winemaker Cost: Gift Bottle Presentation: Distinct, with a somewhat … Read more

Wine Review – Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso 2013

This Etna Rosso, with some interesting varietals, resulted in a good blend of fruit, herbaceous, and earth notes… Name: Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso Vintage: 2013 Producer: Tenuta delle Terre Nere Region/Country: Sicily, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio Consumed: At Le Club Chasse et Pêche in Montreal, to celebrate someone’s 40th birthday. Recommended … Read more

Wine Review – Château Vieux Chevrol 2010

An interesting Lalande-de-Pomerol given its strong flavours yet light body… Name: Château Vieux Chevrol Lalande-de-Pomerol Vintage: 2010 Producer: Château Vieux Chevrol Region/Country: Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux, France Grape Varietal(s): 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Consumed: Brought with us to the Hotel Nelligan in Montreal to celebrate someone’s 40th birthday. Recommended By: Found at the … Read more

Wine Review – Montemercurio Messaggero 2008

A layered offering from Montemercurio in the tradition of the Montepulciano region… Name: Messaggero Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vintage: 2008 Producer: Montemercurio Region/Country: Montepulciano, Siena, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese Consumed: On a Friday, after a long week. Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $29.95 Bottle Presentation: Very classic Italian, reminiscent of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel. Appearance: … Read more

Wine Review – Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2011

A complex, tantalizing nose with plenty more to follow for this Brunello di Montalcino… Name: Filo di seta Brunello di Montalcino Vintage: 2011 Producer: Castello Romitorio Region/Country: Montalcino, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese Consumed: On a cold Canadian Saturday evening Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $58.00 Bottle Presentation: Artistic, distinctive label reminiscent of a painting from Monet … Read more