Category Archives: Wine

CHATEAU DE LA TUILERIE SYRAH/GRENACHE 2007

Posted on August 1, 2009 by John Galea

Just back from a week long vacation in the exciting new area for wines of Prince Edward county! Look for some reviews of the wines/wineries/Inns in future posts … For now: A while back I spent three magical weeks in … Continue reading →

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2006 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on July 29, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Since I have just returned from my voyage to the outback (yes the real outback) I figured I would do a fast blog on this wine we opened tonight. We bought this on our trip back in October and really … Continue reading →

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PENASCAL TEMPRANILLO 2005

Posted on July 23, 2009 by John Galea

Every now and then I get suprised by a wine. This is one of those. It is an inexpensive general list wine that is not bad. This is fairly a fairly varietal Tempranillo. The wine is slightly vinegary on opening … Continue reading →

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J. Lohr 2007 Riverstone Chardonnay

Posted on July 17, 2009 by John Galea

Thursday on the patio at the Keg … Ahhh summer. Lisa our waitress was going through our options for what she thought would be good choices to go with our lobster. The first recommendation from her was this wine. After … Continue reading →

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BURROWING OWL ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2006

Posted on July 16, 2009 by John Galea

As I’ve already admitted, I jump at the chance to try Okanagan wines. I’ve heard a lot about Burrowing Owl from others so this one was on my todo list. The price is on the higher side of what I … Continue reading →

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2006 Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz (Barossa)

Posted on July 14, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

With our recent trip to Barossa firmly in my head this evening as I plan for a work trip to the land down under, I decided I needed to try at least one bottle that we picked up in Oz. … Continue reading →

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TORRI RISERVA CHIANTI COLLI SENESI 2005 DOCG

Posted on July 14, 2009 by John Galea

If you like Chianti’s this is a good one. Lovely deep wine with a medium finish. The fruit is a little overwhlemed again (like the tempranillo I last blogged about). My GF says she tastes stewed grass in Chiantis and … Continue reading →

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CELESTE CRIANZA 2005

Posted on July 13, 2009 by John Galea

This is another big Tempranillo. If you like these this is a pretty good one. Very little bitterness on the finish, nice bold flavor, reasonably complex. The fruit is relatively subtle/overwhelmed. Tannins are big but under control. Alcohol and Oak … Continue reading →

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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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Niagara July Events

Posted on July 8, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

With a tremendously busy schedule of late (Mergers can do that on occasion) and a 14 week old puppy I have been noticeably absent from posting of late. So I thought I’d give a quick overview of some neat events … 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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2004 Fattoria Monte Chianti Rufina Reserva

Posted on June 25, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

This was a recent Vintages release (June 6th) that I stumbled upon in my local store a week or so ago. A Chianti Rùfina (Reserva no less) priced at $20 is always a good potential bargain so I leaped in … Continue reading →

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2004 M. Chapoutier Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage

Posted on June 24, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

This is one of those bottles we decided to get two of when they were released in February. My thoughts on buying this pricier northern Rhône were simple, I really enjoy wines from Michel Chapoutier. The wine giant calls this … 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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