Christopher Madej
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Reviews (24)
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Reviews
Château Saint Roch Chimères 2007, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages
Languedoc, France$19.95
You can pretty much smell the hot Mediterranean sun dripping off of this one. Dense, thick, and full bodied. The nose displays dried herb, roast meat, charcoal and ripe plum and on the palate, this is massive and rich. Silky textured and not too ripe, with lots of earthy, spicy flavours to balance the fruit. The alcohol is a little bit high, however. Decant this, as it took quite a while to open up for me.
4.0 Stars
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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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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.
3.5 Stars
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Thirty Bench Riesling 2008, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.95
As some have said, the acid might be a bit aggressive for some people but if you like zesty and bold acid on your wines, this is something you'll enjoy. The nose is very pretty, as well. Maybe it's just my imagination but I find this to be not-quite bone dry (although certainly not sweet), in a charming way.
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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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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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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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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Domäne Wachau Terraces Grüner Veltliner 2008, Wachau
Austria$15.95
Great Gruner for the money here. A lively nose of kiwi fruit, minerality and citrus with a bit of a vegetal character. On the palate, refreshing acid and minerality backed up by lively melon, peach and kiwi flavours, with a peppery, earthy finish. Crisp yet lush, and very well made.
3.0 Stars
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