Christopher Madej
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Reviews (24)
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Reviews
Domaine Saint Rémy Réserve Gewürztraminer 2007, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$18.95
Uncensored, ripe and delicious Gewurztraminer. A real example of the characteristics of the grape. I feel like I can smell this wine with the glass a foot away from my face. Fantastic, potent nose of lychee, pineapples, chamomile flowers and white peaches, with a bit of an understated spice element. Rich, mouthfilling honeyed flavours backed up by some residual sugar. A little bit hot, but the finish is long and generous. Fans of Gewurztraminer will love this, but this is so unrestrained that it just may be too over the top for some. That said, I find it very enjoyable, and great for its price.
3.5 Stars
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Château De Chambert 2004, Ac Cahors
Southwest, France$19.95
Nice, very well made Cahors. Drank after decanting for about an hour and a half; at first the nose was pretty straightforward, with a distinct raspberry note dominating, but after sitting in the decanter for a while notes of dark fruit, smoke, licorice and graphite minerality came forward. On the palate this is quite refined, with nice concentration, silky tannins and good length. Nice concentration and depth, and still quite youthful despite being 6 years old. A bargain.
3.5 Stars
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Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, Tasmania
Australia$26.95
The nose took a bit of time to open up, but after a bit of air began nicely showing notes of cranberry, plum and raspberry, with a bit of almost Shiraz-like spiciness, and a hint of menthol. The palate follows suit, with spicy cranberry and raspberry flavours and a nice length to its finish. Unfortunately, while it's structurally sound, the flavours are a bit thin and just not quite there for me. This wine lacks old-world Pinot Noir elegance, and doesn't quite deliver on the promise of new world yumminess either. However, not bad overall.
3.5 Stars
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Amity Pinot Noir 2006, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon, Usa$27.35
A nice Pinot somewhere between Burgundy and the New World right here. I was surprised to find this on the general list, although I this is the 2007 vintage, not the 2006 as noted here. Nonetheless, this is quite good. Pretty and complex nose of rose petals, cranberries, vanilla and sour cherry with a bit of a smoky oak accent and yes, some trademark Pinot Noir barnyard, and a delicate mineral touch that I like a lot. On the palate this is light bodied, quite elegant, and nicely balanced. The tannins are present but silky and the finish is quite long, especially given the light body. Quite good.
3.0 Stars
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Colio Cev Barrel Aged Reserve Merlot 2002, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$16.25
Still drinking pretty well now, and
I think I can even see this being good for a couple years more. Very interesting. Lots of leather, cedar, dried cherries and smoky oak on the nose, which follow onto the palate supported by firm acidity and a bit of tannic grip. Quite a bit of complexity and a nice and long tarry, smoky finish.
3.0 Stars
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Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir 2007, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
So light you can almost mistake it for a rose, but the nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir, with sour cherry and raspberry facing off against funky Pinot character, backed up by some smoky oak. The palate delivers the Burgundian-style wine that the nose would hint at, with lots of rhubarb, sour cherry and raspberry characteristics, earthy, mushroomy flavours, a nice smokiness, and firm minerality. Nice length, and manages to get across a sense of concentration despite being as light-bodied as it is. Definitely one of the better Pinot Noirs from Ontario I've had.
3.0 Stars
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Fattoria La Ripa Riserva Chianti Classico 2006, Docg, Produced With Organic Grapes
Tuscany, Italy$25.95
A very modern and dense, concentrated Chianti. This time around there's some oak present on the nose beyond the typical Chianti cherry and plum elements, as well as a earthy, chocolatey characteristic. This is impressively concentrated, with lots of cherry and plum flavours, a hint of dark chocolate on the finish, and chewy tannins that linger on for quite a bit. Classy and well executed. This has the potential to age a bit too.
3.0 Stars
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Fairview Viognier 2008, Wo Paarl
South Africa$16.64
Very nice. A bit oaky, but lots of really approachable fruit flavours with a rich texture and nice long finish. Something on the nose and palate really reminds me of those Allen's sour peach candies, in a good way. 14.5% alcohol, but balanced nicely and you'd really never guess. I like this one much better than the Vin de Pays Viogniers you see for around the same price.
3.0 Stars
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Fontanafredda Coste Rubín Barbaresco 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$39.95
I found the nose of this wine to be a little bit shy, but interesting nonetheless, with pretty cranberry and floral components counterbalanced by earthier scents of truffles and tar. On the palate, while I think this is still evolving but nonetheless is showing pretty well now. Very sleek, with tar, tobacco and cranberry flavours over round, somewhat chewy tannins. Nice mouthfeel, but a bit of heat on the back end as well. Quite interesting, unfortunately a little bit pricy. I would love to taste this again in a few years.
3.0 Stars
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Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2007, Yecla
Spain$8.99
My favourite sub ten dollar wine I've encountered so far.
3.0 Stars
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