Steve Elder

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827, Dop

Bodegas Y Viñedos Alion 2006

Second tasting Mar 2019: A completely different experience. Pitch perfect fruit, with excellent floral and mineral complexity. On the oak-y side, but to be expected. Long and satisfying finish. Suspect that they first bottle might have had cork taint, or really just was in a dumb period.
This was a disappointment. Maybe I approached it too early. Maybe it's in a "dumb" period. Perhaps this was a bottle with mild taint. But whatever the reason, it simply didn't provide much of anything. Dull fruit, dull mouth feel, unexceptional finish.

Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2017, Wo, South Africa

Urbina Reserva 1998, Doca Rioja

Such a vibrant and lively wine! Into secondary fruit flavours at this stage with nicely integrated oak. Classic and compelling.

Manzone Gramolere Barolo 2007, Docg

Excellent blend of traditional and modern styles with earthy complexity and vibrant fruit flavours.
Second bottle Oct 2018: Aging gracefully, but a bit shyer. Needed some time to open up (didn't decant, and should have). All dried flowers and gentle tannins at this stage; could hold a few years more I'm sure.

Stanners Vineyard Pinot Noir The Narrow Rows, Prince Edward County 2017, Prince Edward County

Light ruby colour. Quite full nose of ripe strawberries and something like violets. The med bodied frame has surprising heft, although definitely on the “ethereal” end of PN. Fruit is perfectly ripe, and balance and persistance are excellent. Closes with just a hint of earthiness. Really sings, and does feel like it will deliver pleasure for many more years. I really love the lightness (read low alcohol) combined with penetrating flavours of County Pinot, and this is a classic. Seems to speak of a golden past, but very much of the moment.

Bachelder Wismer Parke Ouest Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees

Wow! This really is "France meets Australia." Tremendous depth and complexity matched with perfect fruit. Easy to overlook this, except that you keep on noticing how delicious it is. Not exactly bargain basemet price, but stacked against a Hermitage it is!

Trius Showcase Riesling Ghost Creek 2019, Four Mile Creek, Niagara On The Lake

Domaine Taupenot Merme Bel Air Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru 2007, Ac