Hola

Posted on May 14, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

It has been a bit since I posted, and I do have to thank John for picking up my slack. For those that are not aware I often travel for work, well in the past two months it has been a great deal more travel then has been expected. On top of that, there has been more work at home, between getting our amazing condo for sale (cry) and with a puppy on route (see below). With that said I am going to try and get back into a habit of jotting down tasting notes as I can. Currently I am having a 2005 Peter Lehmann (of Barossa) Shiraz that while may have a 91 rating from Wine Spectator Online, has me wishing I was drinking some of my friend’s basement wine. Despite a lackluster wine with below average fruit, below average structure and overall a below average experience, the view and weather is stunning, so I will leave you with a few things. First is a picture of the soon to come home Bacchus, an amazing blue Great Dane from Dantry Danes. Second is a picture of the skyline as I write this, almost enough to make you fall in love with Toronto! And lastly a link to our Condo listing, because if I cannot use this to self advertise, then what can I do??!!

dsc013341may142009

Our Condo

Share
Posted in Off Wine Topic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 been a slew of celebrity label wines in Niagara. Everything from ex hockey greats (love ya Wayne) to golf guys to a pro fishing guy (pro fishing? What is that?). These fellows come to Niagara, sometimes put there name on someone else’s wine, sometimes setup a winery but no grapes (who wants to deal with those pesky grapes. And growing grapes doesn’t matter anyway, it’s all in the wine “maker” … NOT) to some of them that actually do the whole deal. Back in the 70’s using celebrity names to endorse products was all the rage. Are we really still lemmings that follow the name? Do we really need that now?

With this bias in mind (and disclosed) I have stayed away from celebrity wineries in Niagara. Proudly driving past them with my nose in the air.
RANT DONE

I was out at a box at a Blue Jays game last night and they were serving this wine. So I thought, why not … let’s give it a try. I must say I was surprised. This is not a bad wine. It is quite dry. The tannins are firm but by no means out of control. Oak is quite prevalent but again not out of control. There are some distinct cassis flavors consistent with a cab. The wine is slightly sweet, slightly jammy. Color is deep and the bouquet is mild. The finish is medium. Not a bad sipping wine at all. It went quite well with food as well, a steak. If I had to give it a number I would say 87-88.

From the LCBO web site:
MIKE WEIR ESTATE CABERNET/MERLOT (V) VINTAGES 109 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 18.95 Wine, Red Wine, 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD This is a VQA wine

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Mike Weir Wine

Release Date: Feb 28, 2009

Description
This wine scores a hole-in-one with its penetrating aromas of blackberries, black cherry, roasted bell pepper, portobello mushroom, vanilla and hints of sweet herbs. Dry and medium-bodied, this lovely red blend features ripe, velvety smooth, cedar-laced, black fruit flavours that are nicely balanced by a lively acidity. A tasty partner for roast beef au jus, or gourmet burgers garnished with portobello mushrooms and gorgonzola.

Mike Weir Winery

Check LCBO Stock

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

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 by any definition but quite good. I had no trouble at all drinking it. There are tasting notes below. Ok I have to admit, I had no idea what kirsch liqueur is or what it tastes like 🙂 until I used Wikipedia. I paired it with roast chichen with rice and brussel sprouts and it contributed nicely to the flavors.

From the LCBO web site:
CHÂTEAU LE BOURDIEU 2003
AC Médoc
(G. Bailly, Prop.)

TASTING NOTE: Toast, spice and red currant on the nose, the flavours – ripe black cherry and kirsch liqueur – are still a bit wound up in chunky tannin. It’s medium textured with good body weight and a persistent finish that shows fruity, spicy and black licorice flavours. Drink now to 2012 with a medium-rare grilled strip loin. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). (Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, Aug. 2, 2008)
85084 (XD) 750 mL $19.9

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

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 that are prevalent in a good cab. For the price this is a good wine. Oaks are well under control. For my tastes this is a mild cab. I would not return the wine, but by no means would I be rushing out to get more or rave about it. If I had to give it a number I would say 87-88 which for the price is an ok deal. Not a steal by any means … No decanting was required.

From the LCBO Web site:
SANTA JULIA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Mendoza (Familia Zuccardi) From the always reliable Familia Zuccardi comes this perennial smart buy. Argentina continues to excite the wine world with its impressive interpretations of native and international varieties not to mention the incredible values it consistently offers wine lovers. This elegant Cab is a case in point. With its lovely blackcurrant fruit and notes of spice cedar and vanilla this wine will make a perfect match for grilled game or lamb chops. 93781 $13.95 Featured 5/2/2009

From Winecurrent.com
SANTA JULIA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Mendoza (Familia Zuccardi) From the always reliable Familia Zuccardi comes this perennial smart buy. Argentina continues to excite the wine world with its impressive interpretations of native and international varieties not to mention the incredible values it consistently offers wine lovers. This elegant Cab is a case in point. With its lovely blackcurrant fruit and notes of spice cedar and vanilla this wine will make a perfect match for grilled game or lamb chops. 93781 $13.95 Featured 5/2/2009

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

‘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 these puppies, be careful there are two with identical looking bottles with the same price. Also note, the store I went to had the 2006 not the 2005 that won the award.

Check LCBO Stock

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

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 top. The oaks are well under control. There is a bit of sweetness and lots of lovely fruit. This is an excellent wine. It should keep well and improve as well in spite of what Parker says below. Unfortunately there are very few left in Ontario … sigh. Sucks to be you 🙂

From the LCBO web site:
KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2006 California TASTING NOTE: The 2006 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is certainly one of the best Chardonnays for the money. This wine, which all comes from coastal vineyards owned by Jackson, is 90% barrel-fermented and put through 100% malolactic, which is remarkable given the quantity of wine made … Crisp orange marmalade and lemon oil notes as well as some tropical fruits always characterize this wine, which seems to show very little evidence of oak, with gorgeously lush fruit, and zesty acidity in a fresh, lively style. It’s a remarkable value … Drink 2007-2008. Score – 89. (Robert Parker Jr.,www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007) (D) 750 mL $19.95 Featured 10/11/2008

Check LCBO Stock

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

Wines of Germany

Posted on May 6, 2009 by John Galea

Last night we attended the Wines of Germany event here in Toronto. The event was held at Roy Thompson hall in downtown. The event was very well done with a nice assortment of wine as well as plenty of very well done food. The lineup to get the food was silly but they kept it flowing right through the night. Most of the wines are not available in Toronto except by consignment. Some day it would be nice if someone would take the C out of LCBO (control). What do they think, if alcohol was convenient we would all become alcoholics? Once again, I do digress …

I do not have a lot of experience with German wines so this was an excellent opportunity!

One of the first wines we encountered was something I had not had before Silvaner. This grape use to be the most planted grape in Germany and is similar to a Riesling. They are rated the same way as a Riesling Kabinett (least ripe, least sweet), Spatlese, Auslese (see below for more). In this event I was able to taste the various levels and get a mental handle on the various sweetness. As expected most of the wines were white but the Germans are also making some Pinot Noirs. So for me, here were the standouts:

  • Weingut Jean Busher 2007 Silvaner Edition “S”. This wine had a very long finish for a white. Nice and complex with a bit of sweetness and strong minerality. Very good. I would give it easily a 90 or so.
  • Binz and Bratt 2007 Pinot Noir/Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was spot on what I envision for a Pinot Noir. It had the usual earthy tones, light in bouquet and color easily a food friendly wine. I would give it an 88-89. We were told it was worth around $22.

Some of the Pinot Noirs exhibited the classic poor quality dill flavor. I’ve found this in the past in some Niagara wines (Peninsula Ridge for one). Some refer to this as “weedy”.

So all in all it was a great time, for a VERY reasonable price!.

From my web page summary of Karen McNeil’s Wine Bible
In Germany wines rarely fully mature. As such German wines are very different from most countries. They are made to hit precision and finesse. If you want big and powerful do not buy German wines.

Germans do nothing to mold or shape wine and seek to highlight the natural flavours of the grape. They never use commercial yeast and do not age in new oak. They do not fine or clarify there wines.

  • Reds account for only 18%. rarely blend
  • Reisling is the best and most common grape
  • red wines are most loved by Germans
  • produces 3% of worlds production
  • Wine legislation
    • QBA (Lowest quality)
    • QMP highest class. Chaptalization not allowed.
  • there are 6 levels of ripeness for German wines (sweeter as they go up):
    • Kabinett (least ripe, least sweet)
    • Spatlese
    • Auslese
    • Beerenauslese
    • trockenbeerenauslese (made only in exceptional years)
    • eiswein (ice wine)
  • some other useful terms: trocken (bone dry) and halbtrocken (dry 1.8% sugar)
  • German wines live on the edge of ripeness so vintage charts are quite important. Far more important than other countries
  • almost all of the 90’s were good years for German wines
  • the high acidity of German wines mean they age well
  • best wines come from Mosel Saar Ruwer
Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine, Wine Events, Wine Stuff | Leave a comment

MANGA DEL BRUJO 2006

Posted on May 5, 2009 by John Galea

Sometimes a blend just goes awry … This is what this one does for me. The blend does not work well together and the flavors fight. The wine has a jammyness almost like a petite syrah with some strong Blueberry flavors. Mixed in with this is a pepperyness coming from the Syrah. The Garanacha grape it turns out is simply the Spanish name for Grenache. Grenache on Wikipedia. The oaks are well under control. I would say the finish is on the lighter side of medium. I did decant this one for an hour as I found on opening it was a touch bitter and alcoholic. Overall for me this is not a stellar wine. I would not be rushing out to get more. It just is not to my tastes.

From the LCBO Web site:
MANGA DEL BRUJO 2006 DO Calatayud (San Gregorio) TASTING NOTE: The 2006 Manga del Brujo is composed of 65% old-vine Garnacha 15% Syrah 15% Tempranillo and 5% Monastrell and Mazuelo aged for 5 months in French and American oak. Purple-colored it exhibits an expressive bouquet of cedar tobacco earth vanilla black cherry and blueberry. This is followed by a full-bodied ripe intensely flavored wine with excellent depth balance and length. Another 2-3 years in the cellar should yield additional complexity. Drink this tasty effort through 2020. Score – 90+. (Jay Miller www.erobertparker.com Aug. 2008) 15073 $17.95 Featured 5/2/2009
Check LCBO Stock

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

ALKOOMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005

Posted on May 4, 2009 by John Galea

This one came on my radar as a pretty good deal. A 90 rated wine below $20. This is a lovely cab. Slightly different than a California cab. Plenty of deep rich black berry flavors. The finish on the wine is on the lighter side of medium. Oaks are well under control. Out of the bottle, the wine had a slight bit of harshness. This is a 14% wine so it is no mild wine by any standards. 1 hour in my trusty decanter took care of it and left a lovely wine. I paired this with a pork tender loin and it went well. Before we knew it the bottle was gone! You could sip this wine, but it is a bigger wine. Not the kind you would sit on the patio sipping. There is no pepperyness on the finish as Aussie’s can sometimes have in their cabs. If had to give it a number I would say it is an 89 or so. I have not idea how well this would age. It’s missing the bold tannins that I associate with an aging wine. I would say this is more of a “drink now” kind of wine. And why not!

From the LCBO web site:
ALKOOMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Frankland River Western Australia TASTING NOTE: Ruby-red. Vibrant red- and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by musky tobacco cedar and underbrush very cabernet. Bitter cherry and licorice add firmness to the sweet berry flavors with dusty tannins contributing grip. The tannins gain strength on the finish but the wine maintains freshness and a sweetly seductive personality. Score – 90. (Josh Raynolds International Wine Cellar July/Aug. 2008) 904227 $17.95 Featured 5/2/2009
Check LCBO Stock

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

HESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005

Posted on May 1, 2009 by John Galea

We had the pleasure of trying this wine as part of a night out for Charity for Canadian Care an organization bringing better lives to those in Guatemala. The wine was a special being offered by Queen’s Pasta . If your out in High Park and looking for a reasonably priced, good food place to eat, this one will fit the bill. I do digress 🙂

This is a spot on California cab. Lovely cassis notes. The oak is well under control. I would say the description below from the LCBO web site is spot on. On first opening this wine had a touch of pepperyness but this passed quickly. The blending grapes they have used have done a lovely job of adding complexity and finesse. This wine is appreciated best at first anyway, on it’s own. I paired it with a red sauce pasta and it went well. I would given this wine an 89-90 so it’s a pretty darn good deal!
Check LCBO stock

From the LCBO web site:
HESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 VINTAGES 25080 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 25.95 Wine, Red Wine, 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D

Made in: California/Californie, United States By: The Hess Collection
Release Date: Jan 10, 2009

Description
Winemaker Dave Guffy sources the fruit for this Cab mainly from vineyards in the North Coast region. He also includes small amounts of Merlot and Syrah for added complexity. Full and generous, this wine is packed with black cherry, cassis, vanilla and spice aromas and flavours with medium tannins balancing out the ripe fruit flavours. It all adds up to tremendous value that you can enjoy today with grilled beef or lamb chops.

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

CHATEAU ST. GERMAIN 2006

Posted on April 30, 2009 by John Galea

I had this wine as the table wine at Moxxies so I bought a bottle. For the price, why not. It is not a bad wine with reasonable depth and complexity for a wine of this price. Not a fabulous wine but quite reasonable. If I had to give it a number I would say 86-87. The finish is medium to long. I did decant it to remove some bitterness on the finish out of the bottle. All in all not bad. Finished the bottle without an issue. Paired it with rack of lamb!

Check LCBO Stock

From the LCBO web site:
CALVET CHATEAU ST. GERMAIN LCBO 152587 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 13.95 Wine, Red Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in: Bordeaux, France By: J. Calvet & Cie – Bordeaux

Tasting Note
Deep ruby red colour; black cherry, cranberry, mineral and dried herb aromas; dry, medium bodied with a flavourful finish.

Serving Suggestion
Herbed crusted lamb, grilled veal or poultry

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

Vintages April 29th Release (Online)

Posted on April 29, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Today’s online Vintages release contains very few low to mid range priced wines (sub $100) but of the choices here are the two I’d take a stab at:

2005 Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, $52
2004 Schiavenza Broglio Barolo, DOCG, Italy – Piedmont $59

happy sipping!

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

MISSION HILL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006

Posted on April 27, 2009 by John Galea

I’ve blogged about this one before. We tasted it at the BC wine event a while back. So based on how much I liked it at the tasting I bought one. I was not disappointed. This wine is perfect right out of the bottle. No breathing/decanting needed. The flavor is varietal cab, although I would not say this is a lively cab. Oaks are well under control. This is a well styled smooth easy drinking cab. You could sip this easily. We paired it with a Octoberfest sausage and it went ok with it. Dynamite with the chocolate brownie that accompanies any good meal! I would rate this an 89-90. Fortunately this one is a vintages essential. And given how few Okanagan wines we get in Ontario I recommend you give this one a try!

From the LCBO Web site:
VINTAGES Essentials Collection
MISSION HILL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON (V)
VQA Okanagan Valley
This outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon displays concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis mingling with notes of cedar, mocha, mint, and smoke. This focused, medium full-bodied wine shows excellent balance, and a long, firm and spicy finish. Enjoy now with T-bone steak, aged Cheddar, or cellar for up to 3 years.
553321 (XD) 750 mL $22.95

Check LCBO Stock

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

2004 Vignerons du Mont Ventoux Elite

Posted on April 26, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

When I bought this Rhône, I did so for a few reasons, the most prevalant was my sure belief that no Rhône worth it’s weight could be priced sub $20 in Ontario. If we see a red from France in the 15 to 20 range, odds are it is 5 to 9 euros if you can find it in Europe (which of course makes me die a little inside) and while in small shops overseas that price range can allow for a nice find or two, here, that is seldom the case. Still, with $20 to burn and some time on my hands I went forth and purchased this syrah-grenache blend and hoped for the best. Côtes du Ventoux AOC is a southern Rhône region and the Vignerons du Mont Ventoux is one of the larger producers here. I think I have, in the past blogged enough about my fondness of the southern Rhône reds so instead of linking to more information I will refer you back to the side bar where there are some wines already review there. So, instead, I will say let’s move on to the tasting!

With a severe shortage of space (well to be honest, no space at all) I decided that this was one of our wines of the week. What made me decide this was a belief (despite the LCBO’s blurb) that a Grenache-Syrah of mid to lower tier was simply not designed to be cellared, so why take up valuable space? I am not sure many wine-makers aim a wine of this range to be pulled 20 years down the road with an ambitious grin, with that belief the cork was withdrawn and Mrs CWG decanted through the strainer funnel (you never know, do you). The crimson red had a slight hint of that rust colour I love so much. The nose gave raspberry and spice and actually seemed dull. It did not help that the previous night’s wine was literally one of the best wines of the year for us, thus raising the bar. None the less, we dove in with the passion that only a wine lover can exhibit. The tannins are larger than expected yet the wine is still balanced, simply large from start to finish. As we got deeper into the wine we noticed more of a red licorice/ candied flavour, not unexpected as the raspberry turned to more of a jam-like taste. The spice remained and evolved to more of a black pepper. Overall we found the wine grew on us. First impressions were not accurate, this is actually a well balanced and well crafted bottle. Pleasantly we ended up thinking this was of good value and will end up recommending it accordingly. Not a ‘Pape but then again, half the price, enjoy accordingly!

The CWG Subjective Rating (CSR?) is 87 out of 100.

Mrs CWG says

this grows on you, quite enjoyable, just do not put it side by side with a great Burgundy!

vmv_elite_2004

Share
Posted in Rhône, Wine | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

2005 Gevrey-Chambertin en Billard (Alain Burguet)

Posted on April 25, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

It is rare that we bring back a bottle from some trip and open a bottle right away, but on this occasion we were concerned about a potential corked situation and we were in the mood for a good bottle of wine. Thus this wine was opened probably 5 years in advance of what we expected. This Côte-d’Or, Burgundy was highly recommended from the Caves Augé local guru. Augé is one of the oldest wine shops in Paris, located in the 8ieme on blvd. Haussmann this shop will delight the senses immediately upon entering (see picture below to see what I mean). Once inside do not be shy to ask for help. Name a region and a price range and watch the shopkeep work his magic. In this case we wanted something in the 35 to 50 euro range for our Bourgogne choice. Part of our requirements beyond price were the ability to cellar and something he would drink himself. Not difficult requirements, and pleasantly we were rewarded with a fine wine. Before I go on to the tasting it should be noted we did buy two of these, but I doubt we will open the second for many a year as the below will indicate. But when we do, I will blog about it here. Another note should be that the Gevrey-Chambertin region is the closest region to the famous city of Dijon and therefore the most northern part of Burgundy. On to the tasting!

This wine decanted showed it’s youth with a vibrant purple-red colour and heavy nose of cherry and spice. Once inside our pinot glasses we swirled out more of the same fruit and hints of casis. First sip gave a quick view of what was in store, big bold and beautiful. Good solid tannins with heavy fruit make this wine jump at you in such a way as to want to more and more. This beauty will benefit from significant cellaring time, in the range of 7 to 15 years. It is stellar Burg’ and represents the vintage well. If you happen to come across this in any capacity pick some up, you will be well rewarded. We ended up paying under $60 Canadian after exchange which makes this one ‘helluva’ a steal. Online auctions have this in the $65 US range if they have stock, so keep your eyes peeled.

The CWG Subjective Rating is a 91 out of 100.

Mrs CWG believes

we made a good choice getting two of these!

2005_gevrey_chambertincaveauge

Share
Posted in Burgundy, Wine | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

CHATEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMERES 2006

Posted on April 24, 2009 by John Galea

The rating makes on this wine caught my eye, it looks like a bargain. The wine is 65% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan. As usual I find Parker is high in his rating. I believe this one really deserves more like an 89-90. But given the price this is not bad at all. Not one of the best wines I’ve had but it is quite good. The finish is mild/medium. There is a slight bitterness to the wine. Another 1-2 years aging will help. I will probably grab a few more of these …

From the LCBO web site:
CHATEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMERES 2006 AC Cotes du Roussillon-Villages TASTING NOTE: … Plum preserves lily cocoa powder white pepper and a whiff of smoke emanate from the glass. In the mouth this displays creamy richness of texture uncannily combined with elegance and brightness and an almost tactile sense of underlying stony and ore-like minerality (which is difficult to describe!) … Enjoy this 2006 over the coming 3-4 years and possibly it will prove worth holding longer … Hurrah for this talented and visionary vintner! Score – 92. (David Schildknecht www.erobertparker.com Aug. 2008) 119354 $19.95 Featured 4/11/2009 Check LCBO stock

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

ROBERTSON WINERY KINGS RIVER CHARDONNAY 2006

Posted on April 23, 2009 by John Galea

This is an absoloutely middle of the road mild chard. Color is typical honey, on the nose this is a light wine. There is a little bit of butteryness but not a lot and no creamyness. There is a bit of sweetness mixed in with a teeny tiny bit of tartness. The finish is light. This is not a bad wine at all. Little to dislike. I would give it an 87-88. This would easily be a food friendly wine. I paired it with pan fried seabass and it went well! Won’t be rushing out to buy more, I prefer bigger Chards.

From the LCBO web site:
ROBERTSON WINERY KINGS RIVER CHARDONNAY 2006 WO Robertson Limited Release TASTING NOTE: A very compelling nose of flowers fresh fruit and nuts leads on this distinctive Chard from Robertson. It has a complex flavor profile of toasted oak butterscotch and minerals as well as a light almost citric spin that balances the weight. An intriguing Chardonnay with class. Score – 89. (Steven Kolpan Wine Enthusiast Nov. 15 2008) 104810 $14.95 Featured 4/11/2009

Check LCBO stock

Bottle

Bottle

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment

INNISKILLIN 2007 RIESLING

Posted on April 22, 2009 by John Galea

I had this wine at the Keg paired with King Crab. The wine is a VERY mild Riesling. The finish is quite short and there is not a lot going on here. It is a varietal Riesling but nothing too stellar. The glass was quite inexpensive as is the bottle so I guess you get what you pay for here. It is not at all sweet, more on the drier side. Overall not horrible but nothing stellar either. Maybe an 86-87 rating … Color is typical pale yellow. Nose is also mild.

Check LCBO Stock

From the LCBO web site:
INNISKILLIN RIESLING VQA
LCBO 83790 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 12.45 Wine, White Wine, 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1 This is a VQA wine
Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Inniskillin House Wines Inc

Tasting Note
Light yellow colour; melon/citrus aromas and flavours; light- to medium-bodied with clean citrus finish.

Serving Suggestion
Aperitif; chicken or creamy pasta

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

Eating in Paris, part 4

Posted on April 21, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Nothing is sadder then rounding up a trip in Paris, but really vacations are no more then escapes from everyday life and, after all, reality awaits everyone eventually. Here are a few more eating ideas in Paris that will suit everyone on any budget:

If you are looking for a great lunching opportunity then head to the Marais, in particular rue Vieille du Temple in the 4th. The street is probably my most favorite to walk down as it has an abundance of small shops, bistrots and brasseries. In the middle of once was exclusively the Jewish quarter it is now a true area of contrast being it is both the jewish and gay/lesbian district of Paris now. As you head up this great street from Rivoli, hang a right onto rue des Rosiers and welcome to a little falafel heaven, Chez Marianne’s. While actually on rue Hospitalières St Gervais, there is no doubt the lineup on a sunny day will stretch out onto Rosiers. Head inside right away and buy your tickets at cash, then head back out to wait for the ultimate in take out dining (oh and save 1 euro in the process). If you are like Mrs CWG you will be sure to have 3 or 4 dill pickles that tempt you at the take out stand, I am more partial to the hot peppers.

If you do not want falafel then head over to the Latin Quarter, aka the fifth and head to the famous ‘Mouf for some good ‘ol galettes (similar to a crêpe but cooked only on one side). Rue Mouffetard has a great many places that do galette and crêpes but my favorite is run by a couple of greek men (name of the place is something Greek), one of which can only be described as large nosed. Go with Jambon Fromage and you will not be disapointed. Then again, you can pretty much get a crêpe anywhere in Paris at street vendors, so when in doubt indulge in the Breton delicacy!

If you are looking for a cheap eats in Paris, one which will force you to chat with your neighbours and drink wine from a baby bottle, then look no further then the infamous Refuges des Fondues in the 18th. Just in the shadow of Sacré-Coeur lies this little gem popular with locals and the hosteling youth of the world. A throw back to the dirty old frenchmen days, chairs are pulled out slightly and women and helped over the communal table to sit on the bench while the rest of the crowd onlooks. Here you get two choices, ‘fromage ou viande?’ and ‘rouge ou blanc?’, and then you sit back and enjoy what may be the most entertaining non dinner-show you will ever experience. Even on the coldest of nights outside you will end up sweating and laughing till you can not eat any more fondue. The wine is very passable and if you can get over your Oedipus complex issues the baby bottle experience is actually fun. While not fine dining by any stretch you may end up putting this on your must do list for return visits.

Lastly, if you are looking for a place to go spend a few hours in the evening, listen to some good stories and music make a trek to the 6th and the dive bar known as ‘Le Dix’. Named after it’s number on the rue de l’Odéon, this sangria bar’s not lost it’s flair despite the recent changes to smoking inside bars/restaurants. Still lively with the student literary crowd you are sure to have at least a good time watching the people and sipping the easy going-down red concoction. If your french is decent, be sure to talk to the friendly barkeep Jean-Luc about politics, music or his ‘jardin’. A great little throw back to an earlier Paris hang-out bar.

Mrs CWG and I have returned and I will photograph and glaze over our wine purchases from our anniversary adventure, till then sip well!

fonduechez_mariannejonluc

Share
Posted in food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CATHEDRAL CELLAR PINOTAGE 2005

Posted on April 19, 2009 by John Galea

This was recommended by Gord Stimmel from the star as a good Pinotage. So I thought I would give it a whirl. This is a very harsh wine. Burning the throat when first opened. 1 hour worth of breathing helped. It has a med/long finish but this by no means a sipping wine. And it’s not a particularly food friendly wine either. We paired it with a Cornish Hen and it made it dry and bland totally overpowered the food. If I had to give it a number it’s an 87-88. If you like BIG BOLD wines this one might just be up your ally. For me this wine had to grace, no charisma and is just a bull in a china shop. It had a slightly medicine like flavor on the finish. It had a slightly “dusty” flavor. If I had more of this I’d take it back. Still debating if it’s drain cleaner or to finish the rest of the bottle.

From the LCBO web site:
CATHEDRAL CELLAR PINOTAGE 2005
VINTAGES 99267 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 16.95
Wine, Red Wine, 14.6% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD
Made in: South Africa, South Africa By: KWV Release Date: Apr 11, 2009

Description: This excellent Pinotage won Gold at South Africa’s prestigious Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2005.

Tasting Note: Opaque black cherry. Refined blueberry and spice. Elegant lifted with fragrance. Some mineral notes. Lifted perfume. Cool black fruits dominate. Good elegance and a fine texture. Score — Silver Medal. (Judges panel, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2008)

Check LCBO stock

Share
Posted in JG Review, Wine | Leave a comment

PILLAR BOX RED 2005

Posted on April 19, 2009 by John Galea

I have some of the 2005 and the 2006. This is a big bold classic Aussie wine. The dominant flavor is Shiraz with some edge taken off by the blending grapes. The wine is quite high in alcohol. I recommend decanting this one for an hour min. It also through a LOT of sediment. The wine is deep purple on the color. Oak is well in check, If you like your Shiraz’s big, this one is for you. I didn’t love it but didn’t hate it. I would say 89-90 so parker is a littler high to my tastes. I would never rave about it the way parker did as you see below. The pepperyness is well under control on this one and the finish is medium or so …

From the LCBO web site:
PILLAR BOX RED 2005
Padthaway, South Australia (Henry’s Drive Vignerons)
TASTING NOTE: There are 70,000 cases of the 2005 Red, a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from young vines. However, this is no wimpy wine at 15% alcohol. An unbelievable value, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as an uplifted, projected nose of sweet red and black fruits, earth, and spice box. Supple-textured with a voluptuous mouthfeel and unbelievable richness, this wine clearly over-delivers. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. Score – 91. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006) 750 mL $17.40
Check LCBO Stock

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

Eating in Paris, part 3

Posted on April 19, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

If you are looking for the perfect Paris dining experience that does not require a Michelin guide entry, look no further then Chez Janou in the 3ieme. Cramped, noisy, chalkboard menus and reservations required, this local Bistrot is fantastic. In warm weather try and reserve a terrace table and watch the Marais pass you by.

A provencal restaurant that serves some great signature dishes (thon provencal for example) you will be hard pressed to not find something to tempt your taste buds. We started with the moules gratin then Mrs CWG shocked the world by having magret de canard (so original…).

We went with a 2006 Chapoutier Deschants (Saint Joseph) for our wine and were not disapointed. Tasting notes were not taken but we enjoyed it to the last drop. The wine selection is Rhone heavy and should have enough choice to satisfy all budgets and tastes alike.

To finish the dinner off be sure to leave room for desert. The creme brûlée still remains the best we have ever had, but if you have room for 2 also get the chocolate mousse and try not to faint when they leave the huge bowl at your table. Overall you will get a great dinner with an experience to match.

Share
Posted in food | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eating in Paris, part 2

Posted on April 18, 2009 by CanadianWineGuy

Paris is a huge melting pot of people and cultures, with this comes culinary delights from many nations. on night three we chose to head off to our favorite Moroccan restaurant, Le 404 in the 3ieme. Just north of the ever busy Les Halles area, walking into the dark cave like restaurant will blast your senses with spices and a consistent hum of voices and music.

Always packed, this restaurant will test the average North Americans personal space limits with it’s cramped tables. Once you have wedged yourselves in, start with the house mojitos and your journey is well on it’s way. Mrs CWG, not having had every piece of duck in France yet, dove into the apple/cinnamon canard tangine. I went with a lamb and prunes tangine that rivaled the Mrs. for quality and enjoyment.

As for the wine, do not be shy and try some North African reds that are featured here. We went with the 2007 Les Trois Domaines (Maroc) recommended to us by our neighbouring table and were rewarded with an intense fruit forward wine with a good balance and hint of spice. We finished off with some house tea poured into our tiny cups from a meter above to finish off a wonderful evening with panache. A great dining experience we recommend to all.

Share
Posted in food | Tagged , | Leave a comment

WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005

Posted on April 17, 2009 by John Galea

This is an absolutely varietal Aussie cab. There are all the typical flavors and aromas of a cab mixed in with a very slight pepperyness on the finish as is typical for an Aussie. Terroir can never be underestimated and is clearly evident in this wine. The wine has a medium finish. I paired it with a pork sausage and it went well. This is a good value wine. It will continue to show well for a good couple years. It through a ton of sediment in the glass which decanting would have solved. From a flavor point of view it really didn’t need to be decanted.

Jeremy Oliver gave it a 95, I would give it a solid 90.

From the LCBO web site:
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
Coonawarra, South Australia

TASTING NOTE: A fine, elegant Coonawarra cabernet whose ripe, floral perfume of cassis, blackberries, dark chocolates and cedar/vanilla oak has a faintly confiture-like aspect. Fully ripened but smooth and supple, its long, fleshy and spotlessly presented palate of vibrant small black berries, mulberries and plums knits tightly with vanilla/cedar oak. Full to medium in weight, framed by firm, pliant tannins, it’s a wine of style and stature. Score – 95. (Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com.au, May 2007)

84996 (D) 750 mL $24.95
Featured Oct 25th 2008
Check LCBO Stock

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

TOMÀS CUISINÉ VILOSELL 2005

Posted on April 16, 2009 by John Galea

I bought this wine back in June of last year. Looks like there isn’t any more at the LCBO, which is a crying shame. I actually went back and grabbed more it was so good. Out of the bottle there was a bitterness to the wine, but I could taste underlying goodness just waiting to be uncovered. After decanting for 1 hour the wine displayed lovely tastes with some complexity. The Oak is well under control and the usual black berry flavors are there. The finish is medium. This is a good tempranillo. I would agree with the 3-5 years in the cellar improving this even more. Too bad I don’t have more!

From the LCBO web site:
TOMÀS CUISINÉ VILOSELL 2005
DO Costers del Segre
The wine is a blend of 58% Tempranillo, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carignan, 4% Syrah and 3% Merlot, aged for 9 months in a new French oak. The aromas are complex, featuring blackberry, black currant, black pepper, cedar and spices. Dry with good fruit surrounded by softening tannins and a good acid streak. This superb wine is an ideal choice for grilled steak, plus it will also reward 3-5 years in a cellar.

066928 (XD) 750 mL $20.95

Share
Posted in Wine | Leave a comment