Author Archives: John Galea

2010 Yealands Sauv blanc mini review

Posted on December 21, 2013 by John Galea

Pale in color with a big grassy nose with loads of grapefruit coming through. On the mid pallet the wine matches with nose. This is a bigger Sauv blanc with lots of tart grapefruit notes coming through along with some … Continue reading →

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2012 Coffin Ridge Into the Light white

Posted on December 18, 2013 by John Galea

I last blogged about the Back from the Dead red which I tasted while at the winery. This wine is a blend of Geisenheim, Prarrie Star, Frontenac Gris, Wisconsin’s Elam Swinson, and Ministrel (or at least that was the notes … Continue reading →

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DOWIE DOOLE CHENIN BLANC 2002

Posted on December 16, 2013 by John Galea

When I was in University one of the lessons we were taught is don’t let what you think you know get in the way of what you don’t … With that in mind I was asked to go through my … Continue reading →

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2011 Cannonball Merlot

Posted on December 15, 2013 by John Galea

I last tasted the Cab Sauv as well as the Sauv Blanc from Cannonball so I was anxious to try the Merlot from them that was on the most recent release. I like the label it’s cute. As usual personal … Continue reading →

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2010 Stratus Syrah

Posted on December 13, 2013 by John Galea

Dark in color with a lovely nose of red berries waiting to greet you. On the mid pallet the wine displays some lovely red berries to match the nose. It’s reasonably complex. On the finish the wine displays a smooth … Continue reading →

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Jargon Pinot Noir

Posted on December 10, 2013 by John Galea

I had this one at Ten Restaurant and wine bar as part of my wine meetup group. I forgot to note the year. Rookie mistake 🙁 Nice garnet in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet the wine … Continue reading →

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2011 Coffin Ridge Back from the Dead Red mini review

Posted on December 8, 2013 by John Galea

I blogged a little bit ago about a visit to Hoity Toity cellars just outside Walkerton. We stopped by Coffin Ridge just outside Collingwood to see what they are up to. I discovered they are doing some similar varietals to … Continue reading →

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2010 Parducci Cab

Posted on December 5, 2013 by John Galea

I last tasted the 2006 Vintage of this wine and enjoyed it so much I bought a case. I had this one at Oliver and Bonacini in Oakville place as part of a Wine Meetup. Dark in color with a … Continue reading →

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MAZZEI SER LAPO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2008 mini review

Posted on November 29, 2013 by John Galea

Dark in color with a nice smooth nose of dried fruits. On the mid pallet the wine displays some dried fruits to match the nose. Almost raisiny. On the medium finish the wine displays some firm acidity along with some … Continue reading →

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2012 Sterling Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay

Posted on November 26, 2013 by John Galea

I love chards. They are beautifully complex. A good Calfornia style chard and scallops are a match made in heaven. Yumm. This particular wine has been one of my long time favs. When the 2012 hit the shelves I was … Continue reading →

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2011 Chilcas single vineyard Pinot Noir mini review

Posted on November 24, 2013 by John Galea

I tasted this one at the Chilean wine festival and it caught my attention as one of the stars of the event. Garnet in color with a lovely varietal pinot nose. On the mid pallet the wine displays some lovely … Continue reading →

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2010 flat rock pinot noir

Posted on November 21, 2013 by John Galea

The Flat Rock Gravity Pinot Noir is still one of my favorite Niagara Pinots. This one is the non Gravity so a notch down. I checked it out a Corks! Traditional garnet in color with a rustic nose, along with … Continue reading →

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CLINE ANCIENT VINES ZINFANDEL 2011

Posted on November 19, 2013 by John Galea

Sometimes a wine really takes you off guard. This one did for sure. I find it amusing that it’s called not just old vine but ancient vines. Not that either term has any legislated meaning. Moving on … Dark in … Continue reading →

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2010 Morande Gran Reserva Pinot Noir mini review

Posted on November 17, 2013 by John Galea

I tasted this one at the Chilean wine festival. The Chilean’s really love there Reserva and Gran Reserva terms. Now if only they were legislated to mean something universally 🙂 I have to admit, I had not tasted a lot … Continue reading →

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CASTELGREVE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009

Posted on November 14, 2013 by John Galea

Dark in color with a nose of dried fruits. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose with lovely dried fruits coming through. Not quite raisin but close. On the medium length finish the wine displays some lovely dry … Continue reading →

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BERINGER FOUNDERS’ ESTATE PINOT GRIGIO

Posted on November 12, 2013 by John Galea

I stopped by Jack Astors and this one was on the menu. Pale in color with a mild minerally nose. On the mid pallet the wine has some subtle peach and pear notes along with minerality to match the nose. … Continue reading →

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VINTAGE INK MARK OF PASSION MERLOT/CABERNET 2011

Posted on November 10, 2013 by John Galea

Dark in color with a lovely nose of red berries. Sometimes a wine completely steps outside of it’s humble beginnings and price. This is one of those! On the mid pallet the wine displays some lovely varietal cab flavors, cherries … Continue reading →

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RÉSERVE DES VIGNERONS SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY 2010 mini review

Posted on November 8, 2013 by John Galea

Another star from the Vinexx portfolio tasting. This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc. I love Cab Francs. They are big wines with lots of character. Niagara make some great ones! This one is dark in color with a bit of … Continue reading →

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CREMANT DE BOURGOGNE RESERVE ‘PAUL DELANE’ mini review

Posted on November 6, 2013 by John Galea

This was another one of the stars from the Vinexx portfolio tasting. Anything not made in the Champagne region of France is not allowed to call themselves a Champagne and so you have some other names that come up. This … Continue reading →

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2008 Saint Joseph Vignes de L’Hospice mini review

Posted on November 4, 2013 by John Galea

Another one of the stars from the Vinexx portfolio tasting. Dark in color with a nice rich nose of berries. On the mid pallet this wine unfolds itself with layers of complexity. Lovely rich black berries coming through. On the … Continue reading →

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BERNARD ALIAS CUVÉE HECTOR & JULIETTE CORBIÈRES 2010 mini review

Posted on November 2, 2013 by John Galea

A mini review is done at a tasting or wine show. The review is based on a small sampling Vs a bottle, and was not done with food. This one was one of the stars from the Vinexx portfolio tasting. … Continue reading →

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CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2011

Posted on October 31, 2013 by John Galea

Pale in color with a with a mild nose of apples. On the mid palate the wine displays some solid apple flavors along with some firm acidity. On the long finish the wine displays some varietal chard flavors but the … Continue reading →

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2009 Parducci Pinot

Posted on October 28, 2013 by John Galea

I had this wine at Rodney’s Oyster bar. Garnet in color with a mild rustic nose. On the mid pallet are some light red berry notes, some strawberry comes to mind. On the lighter side of medium in finish the … Continue reading →

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2012 Cannonball sauv blanv mini review

Posted on October 26, 2013 by John Galea

I had a small sampling of this wine when we were at Rodney’s Oyster bar. I previously had the Cab Sauv from these guys and enjoyed it. Pale in color with a lovely grassy nose. On the mid pallet the … Continue reading →

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NAPA CELLARS ZINFANDEL 2011

Posted on October 24, 2013 by John Galea

I love Zinfandels. A lot of people only know them as pink blush wines. But then they are missing the best that Zinfs have to offer. A deep rich fold fruit forward wine. Well some of them anyway. This one … Continue reading →

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