Author Archives: John Galea

Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2008

Posted on July 10, 2009 by John Galea

We were out at our favorite sushi restaurant last night. We were looking for something white to complement the food. Andrew there sommelier came by and we discussed options with him. He highly recommended this wine. It’s not available at … Continue reading →

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VINTAGES CHÂTEAU L’ENCLOS BONIS 2005

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John Galea

I grabbed this one on spec and was rewarded. On first opening you know this is going to be a big wine and it sure it. The color is a very dark purple, almost black. The bouquet is lovely varietal … Continue reading →

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TRIUS RED 2007

Posted on July 5, 2009 by John Galea

A friend of mine Vik gave me this wine, thanks Vik! Consistently year after year Hllebrand does a good job with this wine. They manage to take the wild tannins that are prolific in Niagara and tame them into an … Continue reading →

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MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

Posted on July 3, 2009 by John Galea

I’ve had this wine before and enjoyed it. This time there is something there … I taste the smack on varietal cab. Lots of depth and fruit typical of a cab. Very nice. And then … there is something there … Continue reading →

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CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY 2006

Posted on July 2, 2009 by John Galea

A while back I tasted this wine (albeit a much older vintage) at a New Zealand tasting event and was quite impressed with it. I quite enjoy chards. As whites go I find them more complex. This one is no … Continue reading →

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OAK HEIGHTS COVERT HILL WHITE 2007

Posted on July 1, 2009 by John Galea

Happy Canada day eh! I first had this wine at the Toronto Food and Wine show and was impressed. For the money this is a nice wine for sitting on the patio sipping. Very food friendly. Easy drinking. The description … Continue reading →

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SABOR REAL VIÑAS CENTENARIAS TEMPRANILLO 2005

Posted on June 30, 2009 by John Galea

Wimps need not apply 🙂 Ok if you like your wines big and bold, this is a wine for you. If you don’t, there is plenty of room about happy little elves in theater number two (a reference from Lemony … Continue reading →

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DOÑA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC 2006

Posted on June 29, 2009 by John Galea

This is a lovely smack on varietal Malbec from Argentina. Unlike the French who only use Malbec as a blending grape (primarily) the Argentinians will often use it entirely on it’s own. This is a lovely deep wine. The color … Continue reading →

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LAMMERSHOEK BARRIQUE CHENIN BLANC 2007

Posted on June 28, 2009 by John Galea

Chenin blancs are one of those wine that can be all over the map. I am discovering more and more wines like that. It’s likely to do with how “crafted” the wine is coupled with the heavy influence of Terroir … Continue reading →

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SAW Merlot tasting event …

Posted on June 23, 2009 by John Galea

I attended Society for American Wines Merlot event with great anticipation. There are a couple things I am appreciating at the SAW events. First is these are guided tastings. A well informed person (Chris Bee this time) guides us through … Continue reading →

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SANTA MARGHERITA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006

Posted on June 22, 2009 by John Galea

On the heels of my last Chianti I thought I would give this one a try blind. No research. I rarely do that. This wine is DOCG rather than an IGT so a little lower on the quality scale. It’s … Continue reading →

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DOMAINE GALEVAN PAROLES DE FEMME COTES DU RHONE 2007

Posted on June 19, 2009 by John Galea

I picked this one up last night and tried it straight off. The wine is a smack on varietal Cotes du Rhone. A good value for the money. The tastes are the typical, slightly sweet, cassis flavors with a medium … Continue reading →

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2006 Hartford Court Lands Edge Pinot Noir

Posted on June 18, 2009 by John Galea

A little while ago Mr and Mrs CWG (and Bachus) provided a review on this wine. They gave it such a glowing review I had to go grab one. This wine is on sale right now regularly $40 for $33. … Continue reading →

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J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005

Posted on June 17, 2009 by John Galea

This wine is one of the house wines available by the glass at the Keg. I have had it many times and enjoy it. I picked it up at the LCBO the other day. The wine is made in the … Continue reading →

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GABBIANO CHIANTI 2008

Posted on June 15, 2009 by John Galea

We were Ottawa for the weekend and stopped by Vittoria Trattoria . Right in the Byward Market this Italian restaurant has an impressive wine list. They have a number by the glass, 1/2 litre, half bottle and full bottle. They … Continue reading →

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Quails Gate Chardonnay 2006 VQA Okanagan Valley

Posted on June 11, 2009 by John Galea

I enthusiastically grab Okanagan wines. I am impressed with what they are doing and there results speak for themselves. They are coming in with good quality wines at acceptable prices. Given the size of this region the fact we in … Continue reading →

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RODNEY STRONG CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2003

Posted on June 7, 2009 by John Galea

Sometimes you have to crack into the cellar when a special friend comes over! Jason was the guest of honor! This one has been in my cellar for almost two years now. I enjoyed this one when I first opened … Continue reading →

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RICHARD HAMILTON LOT 148 MERLOT 2006

Posted on June 6, 2009 by John Galea

As usual my biases up front. I think a Merlot ought to taste like a Merlot (according to my definition). I know this is narrow. But this is just part of the somewhat exact being that is me. I believe … Continue reading →

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Wolf Blass 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Yellow Label

Posted on June 5, 2009 by John Galea

I was out with a bunch of friends at the Keg last night and while my usual there is thePainter Bridge Zinfandel I felt like something different and I wasn’t sure if others would appreciate a Zinfandel. This is always … Continue reading →

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Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2006

Posted on June 2, 2009 by John Galea

California Zinfandels are often field blends (in the vineyard a number of different types of grapes are grown) which means they can be inconsistent. Add to that they are heavily crafted and they can really vary. The best thing is … Continue reading →

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Malivoire Pinot Gris 2008

Posted on June 1, 2009 by John Galea

Malivoire have redone their label. Gone is the lady bug. Sigh … Dinner was a Chorizo sausage with a vegetable stir fry. A perfect companion for a white. So I dove into this one. The color is pale straw. The … Continue reading →

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Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir 2007

Posted on June 1, 2009 by John Galea

Niagara reds are always working hard to tame the harsh tannins and strong terroir flavors that dominate the reds. Pinot Noirs, Burgurndies for example are generally smooth, elegant wines. So Niagara has challenges when it comes to Pinot Noirs. Top … Continue reading →

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CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA MERLOT 2006

Posted on May 28, 2009 by John Galea

As usual I like to put my biases right up front. So to date, I have not had what I would call a great Merlot from Chile. And to jump to the end … I still haven’t 🙂 So with … Continue reading →

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GREG NORMAN CABERNET/MERLOT 2005

Posted on May 25, 2009 by John Galea

Back in Engineering (surely by now you have figured out I am an Engineer by how I write :)) school we were taught “don’t let what you know get in the way of what you don’t know”. I find myself … Continue reading →

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KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008

Posted on May 22, 2009 by John Galea

This wine has always been considered by me to be the benchmark New Zealand Sauv blanc and the wine that I compare other Sauv blancs to. The 2006 and 2007 vintages have been showing a little more grassy flavors that … Continue reading →

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