This one came on my radar as one of the 90 under 20 release. My local product consultant Adil raved about it so I gave it a try. The wine needs some breathing and is a bit on the young side. That breathing (or aging) will be well rewarded. The wine is dark in color [...]

I love cabs. They are one of my favs and California make some of my favs. This one is dark in color with some lovely dark fruits coming through. On the mid pallet are some flavors to match the nose. On the finish are some lovely tannins, some oak and some alcohol. I recommend breathing [...]

We had this wine at Politica last night. Pale in color, varietal on the nose there are some well under control bouquets of lemon and grass but quite subtle. On the mid pallet the tastes match the bouquet this is a smooth well made Sauv Blanc with grassyness and lemon dominant but not overpowering. This [...]

This is in fact going to be a short and sweet review, as I am swamped in paperwork and other work related stuff. This wine was presented to the Canadian Wine Guy as a potential wine to review, and it would not be fair to accept the wine and not review it, now would it? [...]

If I were to say Lost Canyon Winery the first thing that may come to the more educated oenophile is “Garage Winery!”. While not entirely true, Lost Canyon does have a fair history behind it with said Garage and wine crafting. Fact is this urban winery is now making it’s name as a single-lot Pinot [...]

I’ve blogged about this one before. I really enjoy it. Here we have the 2007 release and yet again J Lohr is right on the mark. This wine is somewhere between pale and deep yellow in color. The wine is mild on the nose with traditional Chard bouquets coming through. On the mid pallet are [...]

If your looking for that wine that will not offend (or delight) anyone a Pinot Grigio might be right up your alley. This particular one is pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some pineapple flavors, slightly sweet, but not too much … On the finish it dies out pretty [...]

I have had this wine in the past and been quite impressed, so I was excited to give this vintage a whirl. I find there wines reasonably priced and tasty. In the glass the wine is slightly yellow in color. Not as deep as some chards but not as pale as a sauv blanc. On [...]

This is another wine we sampled while we were at Millcroft Inn. This wine is quite dark in color. On the nose are some lovely dark cherries. On the mid pallet, yummy, this is a classic California fruit forward, almost jammy cab. Lots of cherries, casssis etc. Not too sweet at all. On the finish [...]

Wine can be quite the educator if you let it. I submit this tasting for your edification … I had a preconception that this wine would be a big buttery fruit forward Chard. No idea where I got that but that was my thoughts. On opening the wine is quite pale in color. Not as [...]

The wine is quite dark in color. On the nose are some mild cab notes. On the mid pallet are some distinctive Napa cab tastes, lots of dark fruits, cherries and the like. Not the most fruit forward or boisterous of all that I have had but quite nice. On the finish there are some [...]

I stopped by the J Lohr booth at the Food and Wine show. I’m a big fan of J Lohr wines. To date I have reviewed there Syrah, Riverstone Chard, Painter Bridge Zinfandel, and Seven Oaks cab. They are consistently making great wines at good prices.
2008 Painter Bridge Chard
On the nose [...]

I did not read the reviews on this one close enough before opening it and missed the recommendations by Vic and the LCBO panel to decant it. My mistake because this one really needs breathing. I don’t tend to decant Merlots, I find they loose that distinctive subtle Merlot flavor quickly. Upon initial opening I [...]

I like half bottles. They are perfect in a restaurant in that you get about 2 1/2 good size glasses out of them. And at home they are perfect for enjoying with a meal, nothing left over, not that finishing a bottle has even been a difficult task The price point on half [...]

The thing I enjoy about attending structured tastings like this one is that it serves to further refine my knowledge and appreciation of wine. Sometimes it even destroys misconceptions I have.
Shiraz and Syrah are two different names for the same grape. The difference between the two is the style in the way the wine [...]