Andrew Hunter
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Following (8)
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Reviews (319)
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Andrew Hunter is a musician and composer. He abandoned his career in film and television to raise his kids, make music and drink wine.
My love of wine started with underage sips at the family dinner table. In college I fancied myself a sophisticate as I drank Chianti with pizza, back when Chianti still came in wicker 'fiasco' bottles. (I miss those, great candle holders.) I admit to still having a soft spot for Mateus. Cheap, sweet wine in a chubby bottle was just fine. Back then all I knew about wine was that there was red, white and pink (and girls really liked that white zinfandel!). It was years later, when I started to frequent some of Toronto's finer restaurants, that vinous epiphanies began to occur. Sips of wine that caused quiet pause and an exclamation of, "oh...wow."
I began to read everything I could about wine. I built a cellar and started collecting bottles. My taste evolved from sweet, easy-drinking, fruit-forward wines to the more old-world styles of France and Italy. I tend to prefer wines that are understated and complex over the super-extracted fruit-bombs which seem to be increasingly fashionable. I'll generally take Bordeaux over Napa and Tuscany over Australia. But there are always exceptions!
I'm a huge fan of sweet wines. I rarely meet an ice wine or Sauternes that I don't like. I also get along very well with Port.
Riesling is my favorite white, along with Viognier, Gerwurztraminer and Santorini Assyrtiko. Chardonnay is my least favorite. No matter how much I spend or how great the pedigree, I have yet to be blown away. Somewhere out there is a really delicious Chardonnay. I'm still looking for it.
My busy life leaves little time for blogging but at the very least I review every wine I taste.
There's nothing more subjective than art...Except perhaps wine. At our wine club I'm always pleased when someone prefers the $12 wine to the $50 wine (unfortunately it never seems to be me). For all it's pretentiousness and hype wine is a just a drink, either you like it or you don't. There is no right or wrong. It's all about discovering what you like!
In my wine reviews I try to describe the wine in a simple, unpretentious way. My aim is to help the reader decide if it's a wine they might like or want to avoid.
Of course, I'll tell you if I like it or not, but also, unlike many professional critics, I write with the clear assumption that what you like and what I like may very well be opposite. It doesn't matter. I'll tell you if a wine is sweet and fruit-forward and or dry, tannic and savory and let you decide.
http://torontowineguy.blogspot.com/
Reviews
Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz 2008, Clare Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$26.95
Very dark purple. Mint chocolate nose. Easy drinking, full body. Some tart acidity and sourness. Long finish. Pretty average. A good bbq wine in a typical Aussie fashion. Overpriced. You could do similar for much less.
3.0 Stars
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Tabalí Reserva Especial 2009, Limarí Valley
Limari Valley, Chile$23.95
89-90
Dark wine. Interesting nose (mint Aero bar came to mind). Full bodied with dense blackberry and herbal flavours. Long warm finish.
3.0 Stars
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Château Siaurac 2006, Lalande De Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$46.95
Some bricking in the colour. Youthful, muted nose. Medium-full body. Leathery, woody and dry.
3.0 Stars
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Château Godard Bellevue 2011, Ac Côtes De Bordeaux Francs
Bordeaux, France$19.50
My kind of weekday wine. Drinkers of "smooth" fruit forward wines beware, this is an old world style wine. A hotish nose with herbal, wildflower and dried fruit notes. Very dry with a great balance of dark berries, sour cranberry and savory herbal flavours. Slightly bitter & mouthwatering, which makes it cut nicely through hearty dishes. A perfect anytime "let's have some wine" bottle. I stocked up. This is the best under $15 Bordeaux I've ever had.
3.0 Stars
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Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2007, California
California, Usa$17.95
Hot and fruity. Not much character but easily quaffable. This should be much cheaper than it is. (It's around 9 bucks in the States). Good with many foods. Great with all things BBQ. My wife's standard 'house' wine. For 2 bucks more you could try a Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel..a bit softer and a bit more character.
2.5 Stars
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Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Brut
Australia$13.49
Decent bubbly for a good price. Tight nose, a bit of citrus, mango, grassy notes. Crisp, dry palate. Bubbles are on the coarse/foamy side (no superfine champagne fizz here). A simple sipper but surely a decent value. Great for small occasions, simple dishes and morning mimosas.
2.5 Stars
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The Ruins Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Wo Eilandia Robertson, Made With Organic Grapes
South Africa$14.95
85+
Was vigorously recommended to me by a lcbo lady.. Drank one, bought another next time I was there...good QPR (quality to price ratio).
2.5 Stars
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Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
90-92
A darn fine Chianti.
Not quite "full" bodied, but almost. Dense, dark (but fading fast) fruits, nice fine tannin. Savory, with a slightly sweet, fruity undertone.
Not much life left though I fear...the tannins are holding strong while the fruit lays underneath. If the fruit can survive a year or two in the cellar this could evolve spendidly. Not sure it has the stuffing...the tannins might be too strong and the fruit may already be fading. Drink now. But worth a shot at 1 or 2 years aging.
2.5 Stars
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Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Australia$22.95
2.5 Stars
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Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot 2010
Australia$11.95
Tight nose. Medium-full body. Very soft (too soft for me really), a touch of spice, sweetish. Uncomplicated and super-easy-drinking. A very basic, but good, all purpose house wine. If you want a party wine that will please most and offend few, this is it.
2.5 Stars
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