Author Archives: John Galea

Kacaba 2007 Reserve Cab Frank Mini review

I tasted this wine at the Salut wine event at the brickworks. This wine is dark in color with loads of dark berries coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine unfolds in the mouth with tons … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review | Leave a comment

Vineland Estates 2009 Pinot Meunier

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. I had not heard of the Meunier so I was interested to try it. Garnet in color with a nose very similar to pinot noir with some rustic notes coming through … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2007 Reif Estate Riesling

Pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is slightly sweet, very varietal. The finish is on the lighter side and does not linger. This is a mild riesling. Not a lot going on but … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review | Leave a comment

Kacaba 2008 Pinot Noir mini review

I’ve not been to the Kacab winery yet, driven past it a number of times, but got the opportunity to taste their wines at the Salut Wine Festival at the Brickworks. I have to say I was impressed. This wine … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review | Leave a comment

2007 GABBIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO

I last reviewed the 2008 non Classico version of this wine and quite enjoyed it. I figured the Classico ought to be even better … Dark in color mild on the nose with some browning near the edges of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review | Leave a comment

2009 Mission Hill Pinot Blanc

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. The wine is pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some slight mineral tastes along with a bit of citrus. It is slightly tart on the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

Rosewood Estates 2008 Pinot Noir

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. Ruby in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine displays some dill along with some sour cherries. On the finish the wine is quite tart and builds … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2008 Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is dark in color with lots of black berries and some oak coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is dominated by classic cab sauv flavors, deep rich cherries, some oak and big and … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Chile, Wine | Leave a comment

2006 Ballast Stone Merlot

I’ve had this one in the collection for a while now. Dark in color, starting to discolor slightly around the edges of the wine. Showing it’s age a bit. On the nose are lovely varietal plums coming through. On the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Australian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2009 Beringers Founders Estate Chardonnay

The wine is pale in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a smack on varietal California style chard. Some lovely vanilla, some caramel, some nice apple, and some oak coming through. On the medium … Continue reading

Share
Posted in American, JG Review, Wine, Wine Stuff | Leave a comment

2009 Terenzuola Vermintino

This is another of those unique white grapes of Italy I don’t know well. So I had no idea what to expect. This is always an interesting experience. The wine is pale in color with citrus hints coming on the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2008 La Posta Malbec

Deep inky in color with a nose of blueberries. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose well with blueberry jam coming through with some sweetness but nothing too extreme. On the medium finish the wine has some firm … Continue reading

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

MARCHESE ANTINORI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006

This wine is dark in color with lots of dark berries and cherry coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine is deep and rich with lovely complex fruit. On the long finish the wine is quite … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review | Leave a comment

2009 CONCHA Y TORO CASILLERO DEL DIABLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON

This wine is dark in color with a lovely nose of dark berries. On the front of the mouth is a whack of wood backed by a strong black berry, blueberry and cherry flavor. This is a big wine. On … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Chile, JG Review | Leave a comment

Dona Paula Estate Malbec 2006

I last reviewed this wine back in June of 2009. I had a few still in the cellar. The wine is dark in color with lots of dark cherries and some sweet fruit coming through on the nose. On the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

2009 Inniskillin Winemaker’s series Three Vineyards Chardonnay

I last wrote up the 2007 release of this wine. They have been consistently making this wine year after year. The wine is golden in color with a nice varietal chard nose. On the mid pallet are some lovely green … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review | Leave a comment

2008 J.P. Chenet Pinot Noir

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. This one has a fancy bottle … woohoo, and it’s from France, must be good no? 🙂 Ruby in color with an earthy funky nose not uncommon with Pinot Noirs. On … Continue reading

Share
Posted in France, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

DARTING RIESLING KABINETT 2004

German wines get a bad rap (sometimes). There are times there Rieslings can best be called sugary water. There labeling is confusing, names are hard to pronounce or remember. That said Germany (and Alsace) are the Grandfather of Riesling. If … Continue reading

Share
Posted in JG Review | Leave a comment

NUGAN ESTATE MCLAREN PARISH VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2006

This wine is deep in color with a mild nose of cherries. On the mid pallet are some lovely deep and rich classic shiraz with cherries and dark berries coming through in spade in layer after layer. On the finish … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Australian, JG Review | Leave a comment

CASTELLO DI AMA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006

This wine is dark in color with a rich cherry bouquet coming through on the nose. The mid pallet is bright, fruity with lots of dark berries coming through. The finish is medium in length. This is a spot on … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Italian, JG Review | Leave a comment

2008 Gretzky Sauv Blanc

I stopped by Gretzkys for the first time. Celebrity wines put me off. All Gretzky wines are made by Creekside. The wines are dedicated to supporting the Wayne Gretzky foundation with all profits going there. A charity that brings hockey … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

LAMMERSHOEK BARRIQUE CHENIN BLANC 2007

Back in June 2009 I last reviewed this wine. I discovered one left over in my cellar. Ooops. I wouldn’t consider this an aging wine. I quite enjoyed it back then so I was interested to see how it has … Continue reading

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine, Wine Stuff | Leave a comment

2010 Vineland Estates Pinot Grigio

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. This wine is VERY pale in color mild on the nose with nothing distinctive coming through for me. On the mid pallet this is a VERY subtle wine with a hint … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2004 Scharzhofberger Egon Muller Kabinett Riesling

Pale in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a nice dry, well made, smooth Kabinett Riesling. Tastes of light citrus notes, and some minerality come through nicely. There is a slight bit of sweetness … Continue reading

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

2007 Mike Weir Pinot Noir

I had this one at the iYellow Pinot event. You could insert my usual diatribe about celebrity named wines or we can just move onto the review 🙂 Quite dark in color (much darker than a typical pinot) with a … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Canadian, JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment