13th Street Gamay Noir 2008 VQA Niagara Peninsula - Review

Just purchased this last week from the latest Vintages Release (see post from February 19th for my full list picks). Normally I shy away from Gamay's - they taste different, but this one got a good review. 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) - $17.95 Tasting Note: Black cherry, burnt toast, smoke, raspberry and some vanilla...

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The Oenophile's Guide to Grape Sex

Wine grapes have been sex-starved for centuries to satisfy our palates. So keep that stem to yourself, Mr. Merlot. Only viticulturists get to touch the likes of luscious Ruby Cabernet. Otherwise, a wine’s flavour can be dramatically altered when plant nookie occurs naturally in fields from Bordeaux to the Niagara region. That abstinence has been great for the discriminating...

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Review: Magnotta Oak Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Ontario, Canada

Tonight's wine is from Magnotta (Ontario, Canada) - the Oak Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. There was no vintage on the label, so I'm not sure how old it is. Tasting Note: Strong raisin and plum aromas follow through on the palate. Very lightly oaked, slightly tannic. Light- to Medium-bodied. Normally, I enjoy wines from Magnotta, but this one I did not really enjoy. This...

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Review: Château la Chèze 2005, Bordeaux, France

Choice for tonight was a 2005 Bordeaux. CHÂTEAU LA CHÈZE 2005 - AC Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, France (#191007) - $18.95 Tasting Note: Blackberry, currant, earth aromas and flavours. Spicy palate at mid-length. Medium-long finish. Still tannic and very chalky. Probably could have used another year or two in bottle for tannins to settle. It paired nicely with chicken...

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Ontario Wines Strike Gold - February 19th Release

This Vintages Release features many Cabernet Sauvignon's from around the world, as well as the Ontario Wines which "struck gold" at recent Canadian Wine Awards. Here are my top choices: Red Wine: WAYNE GRETZKY NO. 99 ESTATE SERIES CABERNET/MERLOT 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#128652) - $19.95 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) - $17.95 NASHWAUK SHIRAZ 2007 - McLaren Vale, South...

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Review: Cat Amongst the Pigeons Alley Cat Shiraz/Grenache 2008

Wasn't feeling too well the last few days, so I was staying away from the wine and drinking warm Brandy with honey. Yummy. Feeling much better today, so here's what I am drinking tonight: CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS ALLEY CAT SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia  (#127621) - $15.95 Tasting Note: Minty blackberry, raspberry, basil aromas....

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Review: Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain

Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#976910) - $14.95 Purchased this one back in 2007 and let it age in the basement. (It's not available at the LCBO anymore.) Tasting Note: Smoky blackberry, plum and black licorice aromas which follow through on the palate. Also notes of crushed red berries and leather. Spicy finish. Light- to medium-bodied and ripe. Definitely ready to drink now. I'm not much a North American football fan, but I...

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February & Valentine's Day Release - Vintages Wine Picks

Here are my top picks from the today's Vintages Release. The release has a sub-theme on Tuscany, Valentine's Day, and has a spotlight on Washington State - I have chosen at least one from each. Red Wine: COLUMBIA CREST H3 MERLOT 2007 - Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA (#209874) - $19.95 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) - $15.95 LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#207795) - $19.95 RINGBOLT...

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Review: CASTELLARI BERGAGLIO SALLUVII GAVI 2009 - Piedmont, Italy

Tonight's wine is a lovely white from the Piedmont region of Italy. CASTELLARI BERGAGLIO SALLUVII GAVI 2009 - Piedmont, Italy (#185033) - $13.95 Tasting Note: This Gavi has fresh lime/citrus, apple, pear aromas. All the aromas follow through on the palate. Crisp. Some oak ageing evident. Dry style that is very similar to a Chardonnay. First time trying a Gavi and I wouldn't hesitate to try another in the future. Stay tuned for my next Vintage...

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