Author Archives: John Galea

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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Lealtanza Crianza 2004

Posted on May 18, 2009 by John Galea

This wine was the wine of the month and got a good write up so I thought I would give it a go … Crianza (Tempranillo by another name). I always expect these to be big wines. I decanted this … Continue reading →

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CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING 2007

Posted on May 17, 2009 by John Galea

Ah dinner was planned for a spicy chipotle flavored pork tenderloin. A tough food/wine pairing. A Riesling will fit the bill! Ah it’s time to pull out one of our favorites! We always enjoy our trips to Cave Springs. Right … Continue reading →

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SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007

Posted on May 16, 2009 by John Galea

I had not heard of this winery before and with such a high score I thought let’s give it a try. It’s an unknown (to me) rater but heh … So with that in mind I dove in. This wine … Continue reading →

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MIKE WEIR ESTATE CABERNET/MERLOT 2006

Posted on May 13, 2009 by John Galea

RANT WARNING: Ok, I am going to digress for a moment. If you aren’t interested in reading the rant, page down, I don’t mind 🙂 Ok thanks for hanging with me. In the last 5 years or so there have … Continue reading →

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CHÂTEAU LE BOURDIEU 2003

Posted on May 11, 2009 by John Galea

This is a classic bordeaux blend from a bouquet and flavor point of view. The wine has some lively tannins and some edgeyness to it. For the price it is not a bad wine 88-89 ish. Not a fabulous deal … Continue reading →

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SANTA JULIA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

Posted on May 9, 2009 by John Galea

I’ve had a couple of different Santa Julia wines so I thought I would give this one a try. This wine is a very light cab. This wine is not particularly deep or complex. Missing are the wonderful cassis flavors … Continue reading →

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‘Pirate’ Niagara wine beats world’s best

Posted on May 8, 2009 by John Galea

In case you hadn’t heard, Jordanne’s Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2005 beat out a number of French and California wines in a blind taste test in Montreal. Read all about it! NOTE: If you do run out to grab one of … Continue reading →

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KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2006

Posted on May 7, 2009 by John Galea

I’ve had this one a number of times now and quite enjoy it. It is a spot on varietal California style Chard. Lovely yellow in color with a typical Chard bouquet. The wine has butteryness but not too over the … Continue reading →

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