Author Archives: John Galea

SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008

Posted on March 8, 2011 by John Galea

Cab sauvs are some of my favorite wines. I enjoy the flavor especially when well aged and find them VERY food friendlly. A salmon fillet was on the menu tonight. I found this wonderful coating mix that brings out the … Continue reading →

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RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS 2007 Zinfandel

Posted on March 3, 2011 by John Galea

We stopped by Lord Nelsons one of my favorite restaurants in Burlington for a special celebration and chose this wine to go with our veal cutlets. The wine is dark in color with lots of dark fruits coming through on … Continue reading →

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Naked Grape Sauv Blanc

Posted on February 28, 2011 by John Galea

I was at Jack Astor’s this weekend and chose their Butter chicken so I wanted a nice Sauv Blanc to go with it. I previously reviewed this wine and enjoyed it. So I chose it again … The wine is … Continue reading →

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KONZELMANN BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2007

Posted on February 26, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is light golden in color mild on the nose. Not a lot to give away what might be waiting for you. On the mid pallet are some chard flavors but the finish is dominated largely by sharp almost … Continue reading →

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2008 Blackstone Winemakers Select Merlot

Posted on February 7, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with a nice plummy nose on it. A hint that this may well be a John Galea varietal Merlot. On the mid pallet are some plums, some cherries and dark berries. On the finish … Continue reading →

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2007 Greg Norman Cab/Merlot

Posted on February 3, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is dark in color with lots of dark berries on the nose. On the mid pallet are some deep rich cherries and dark berries to match the nose. This wine is big in the mouth with lots of … Continue reading →

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California wine fair in Toronto

Posted on January 31, 2011 by John Galea

It’s that time of year again … One of my favorite events. The California Wine Fair held at the Royal York on Monday April 4th. The location is great, conveniently located close to Union Station. Hope to see you there!

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2007 Ravenswood Old Vines Zinfandel

Posted on January 30, 2011 by John Galea

If you’ve been wondering what’s been keeping me busy (and not posting so frequently), I’ve been working on one of my other hobbies. My hi tech gadgets. Check out my tech blog for reviews of Android phones, tablets, Amazon Kindle … Continue reading →

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2007 Montecillo Crianza

Posted on January 24, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is deep inky in color with wood and dark fruits on the nose. On the mid pallet are dark fruits lots if wood and smoke coming through. In the finish the wine is slightly bitter and could use … Continue reading →

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2007 Yorkville Cabernet Sauv

Posted on January 20, 2011 by John Galea

I stopped by E11even last night (E11even on Yelp). They have an The Enomatic just like Corks that I blogged about previously. It is an interesting machine. They have 4 of them. This wine is Deep in color lovely dark … Continue reading →

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2008 Vineland Estates Elevation Riesling

Posted on January 19, 2011 by John Galea

Ok, I have to start out by saying the name of this one made me giggle. Niagara’s escarpment is a mere bump in comparison to any kind of mountain range so I find it amusing to think Niagara has the … Continue reading →

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Cookoothama 2008 Chardonnay

Posted on January 13, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is pale yellow in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a bit confusing. It has some mild varietal chard flavors blended with some Sauv blanc tartness. It did not work all that … Continue reading →

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QUINTA DO CERRADO 2007

Posted on January 13, 2011 by John Galea

This wine is garnet in color with some black berries and some oak on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine has a reasonably strong alcoholic presence along with a nice bit of dryness. On the finish the wine … Continue reading →

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1994 S. Osvaldo Pinot Bianco

Posted on January 11, 2011 by John Galea

A little while ago my GF’s brother gave us a few bottles of wine that had been in his basement for a VERY long time. The first one a 2000 Pelee Island Monarch Vidal turned out to be quite enjoyable. … Continue reading →

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CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2008

Posted on January 9, 2011 by John Galea

Some chards are really sensitive to temperature, and this is one of those. Out of the fridge it was too cold. The wine is slightly golden in color. On the nose are some mild chard varietal smells greeting you. When … Continue reading →

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D’ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2007

Posted on January 7, 2011 by John Galea

We cracked this one as part of our New Years eve celebration. The wine is dark in color with lots of lovely dark berries coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet this is a smooth well made, refined … Continue reading →

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2007 limited edition Magnotta

Posted on January 3, 2011 by John Galea

I got given this one for Christmas. The wine is dark in color with some black berries and plum coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet are some plum and cherries, reminiscent of a Merlot. This is more … Continue reading →

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Hogue Cellars Cab Sauv

Posted on January 3, 2011 by John Galea

I have been to a few tastings covering off the Washing State. They are doing some fabulous stuff down there with great results. So when I was at Milestones the other day and I saw a Washing State cab I … Continue reading →

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2007 Peller Estates Merlot Private Reserve

Posted on December 29, 2010 by John Galea

Dark in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet are some plum and some cherries. On the finish are some tannins and some metallic flavors. It has some of that Niagara terroiir taste and a med to long … Continue reading →

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2000 Pelee Island Monarch Vidal

Posted on December 26, 2010 by John Galea

Yes you read the year right … Back in Engineering (surely by now you’ve figured out I am an Engineer not an English major :)) one of the lessons we were taught was to not let what you know (or … Continue reading →

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2009 Ironstone Symphony

Posted on December 24, 2010 by John Galea

Christmas is almost upon us and soon to be New Years! On behalf of Brett and myself we wish to extend to you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Hopefully there will be lots of lovely wine … Continue reading →

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2007 Creekside Laura Red

Posted on December 22, 2010 by John Galea

I tasted this wine at Corks when I was there. The wine is dark in color with lovely dark berries and some oak on the nose. On the mid pallet the tastes match the nose. You can definitely taste the … Continue reading →

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2008 Ménage à Trois Red

Posted on December 18, 2010 by John Galea

This is a mini review from the Gourmet Food and Wine show. Gimicky name aside, this wine is dark in color mild on the nose. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Cab and Merlot. The Zinfandel comes through for … Continue reading →

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No 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Shiraz/Cab

Posted on December 16, 2010 by John Galea

The last time I tasted one of the wines from No 99 I was not impressed. These wines are dedicated to supporting the Wayne Gretzky foundation with all profits going there. A charity that brings hockey to underprivileged kids. Yet … Continue reading →

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CHÂTEAU TOUR D’HORABLE 2005

Posted on December 14, 2010 by John Galea

When I see a Bordeaux with a reasonable rating from 2005 under $20 I jump at it. This one caught my eye, they had put Natalie’s write up on the wine there. The wine is dark in color with a … Continue reading →

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