Christopher Madej

Fairview Viognier 2008, Wo Paarl

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.

Fattoria La Ripa Riserva Chianti Classico 2006, Docg, Produced With Organic Grapes

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.

Amity Pinot Noir 2006, Willamette Valley, Oregon

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.

Concannon Limited Release Petite Sirah 2005, Central Coast

Full bodied and dense with lots of really pleasant, slightly raisinated fruit on both the nose and and the palate. Actually quite nicely balanced, and the use of oak is quite restrained. This is very "delicious", with notes of plums, raisins and currant with an intriguing black tea character on the finish, and mild tannins. A very easy to drink, fruit forward wine, if not terribly complex.

Cantalici Chianti Classico 2004, Docg

Tasted 23/12/2009. Somewhat rustic in style but overall not bad. Lots of cherry, pomegranate and violets on the nose, and maybe a bit of a cherry jello scent? Just a bit of an oak touch. The nose is a bit hot unfortunately. On the palate this is midweight, a little bit hot and super acidic. Loads of juicy cherry flavours with a leathery, earthy quality. The tannins at this point have become quite integrated, but the alcohol is still a bit overwhelming and the finish is rather short.

Conde De Valdemar Reserva 2003, Doca Rioja

Quite mature at this point, with rich, pruned dark fruit on the nose, with well integrated butterscotch oak characteristics. On the palate this is quite soft and quite robust. Lots of leather, dried fruit, smoke and olive nuances. Too soft for me to be really crazy about, but not bad.

Frei Brothers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Alexander Valley, Northern Sonoma

California powerhouse on a budget here. This is a pretty impressive wine, especially for its price. Really powerful, with a dense nose of blackcurrant, ripe plums, oak, vanilla, smoke, cigar box-like aromas and dare I say black olive tapenade? On the palate it's lush and fruit forward, with syrupy berry flavours in full bore and notable, but not out of control, use of oak. Nicely balanced acidity, a bit of chewiness from the tannins, and a decent length to its finish. There is a bit of volatility to it but I don't find it too distracting. Quite good for the money, if not totally my style.

Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Gris 2007, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Much more body and ripeness than typical of most Niagara wines. Lots of delicious, lush ripe fruit flavours here, with a bit of spice and bitterness on the finish. Nice roundness, and manages to be mouth filling without being flabby or flat. Quite enjoyable, and definitely worth the price. Please be sure not to drink this too cold! I found the flavours to be extremely muted right out of the fridge but as it warmed up a bit, the palate really came forward.

Sandhill Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2006, VQA Okanagan Valley

Got this on a whim when realizing how few BC wines I've really had.

The nose is loaded with ripe plums, blackberries and raspberries, with smoke, pencil lead and vanilla also present, probably de to oak aging. A bit of the alcohol is present on the nose as well unfortunately.

The wine tastes as ripe as it smells with intense plum, vanilla and berry flavors dominating the palate, fading to a finish of spice and scorched earth. Really impressive weight and texture, and pretty tasty if a little bit boozy. Tannins are pretty soft and well integrated.

Alamos Selección Pinot Noir 2008, Mendoza

You can really taste warm-climate ripeness on this wine, with the nose lacking real Pinot Noir character and instead showing lots of ripe red fruits with a touch of vanilla and something that I swear is remniscent of cherry Coke. The palate follows through with lots of tasty, ripe fruits and another hint of that cola characteristic. Fairly well balanced and well made, but unfortunately the finish falls a bit short and it just leaves me wanting something a little more refined.