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

Wine Review – Tommasi Amarone 2011

A strong, balanced Amarone from Tommasi, just as one would expect… Name: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vintage: 2011 Producer: Tommasi Region/Country: Valpolicella Classico, Verona, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta Consumed: On a cold Canadian Saturday evening Recommended By: It was a gift Cost: It was a gift (apparently $49.95 at the LCBO) Bottle … Read more

Wine Review – Coteau Rougemont Versant Rouge 2015

Still searching for a point of comparison… Name: Versant Rouge Vintage: 2015 Producer: Vignoble et Cidrerie Coteau Rougemont Region/Country: Québec, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Frontenac Noir and Marquette (proportions unknown) Consumed: On a weekend getaway in Montreal Recommended By: Filled a display case at the SAQ in Montreal. Cost: $15.20 Bottle Presentation: A clean, distinctive look, … Read more

Wine Review – Lovely Lilly Pinot Noir 2014

Would definitely try another Pinot Noir from the Baden region in Germany… Name: Lovely Lilly Pinot Noir Vintage: 2014 Producer: Shelter Winery Region/Country: Baden, Germany (Qualitätswein) Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: On a weekend getaway in Montreal Recommended By: Last chance bin at the LCBO (a place we seem to have good success with). Cost: … Read more

Wine Review – Hidden Bench 2012 Pinot Noir Felseck

A good example of a Niagara (Ontario) Pinot Noir… Name: Pinot Noir Felseck Vineyard Vintage: 2012 Producer: Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home on a cool autumn evening Recommended By: Harald Thiel, proprietor and vigneron Cost: $38 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, easy on the … Read more

Wine Review – Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Réserve 2011

Still our house red… Name: Baco Noir Réserve Vintage: 2011 Producer: Henry of Pelham Region/Country: Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Baco Noir Consumed: Over a beef tenderloin holiday dinner with family Recommended By: Paul Speck, President, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Cost: $25 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive dark blue Henry of Pelham label, although we know … Read more