Chris Saunders
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Reviews (17)
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Computer nerd turned wine geek, Chris writes weekly tasting notes on wines available at your local LCBO. A little informative, a little provocative with a lot of panache - check out The Drunken Vine for a unique perspective on wine regions, vintages, and varietals available to you!
Reviews
The Foreign Affair Riesling 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$20.25
The nose doesn’t present a great deal, but there are hints of lime, apple and summer peach. On the palate it feels rich, and is full of ripe pear, peach preserve and lime. The acidity in this wine provides a perfect counterpoint to the ripe flavours. The finish is excellent, transitioning from apple pie spice and pear to a lingering impression of ripe stone fruit. This is really unlike any other riesling on the shelves of the LCBO. The air dry process has given this wine a rich lush profile not present in other wines from the cold climate grape. It’s worth the $28 for the experience of a fresh interpretation of Riesling, and a wine unlike anything else from Niagara.
3.5 Stars
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Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Syrah 2007, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$32.95
Scents of black cherry, baked raspberry, and plum lift from the glass. A wisp of violet is present, as is tickles of white pepper. There is also a whiff of barnyard, an expected indication of brettomyces. It’s light and satiny on the tongue to start, showing deep raspberry flavours. Velvety tannins pique the palate’s interest next, ripe blackberry and red plum tastes follow. The acidity is on point, providing a juicy counterbalance to the tannins. Nice long finish with raspberry, plum and hints of blueberry. Needs some time in the decanter before serving.
3.0 Stars
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L.A. Cetto Réserve Privée Nebbiolo 2003, Guadalupe Valley Mexico, Baja California
Mexico, World$17.25
Black tea, dried black cherries, hint of violet and some earthy undertones. The nose is brash, certainly no traditional Nebbiolo here! Cherry and some blackberry flavours up front, a nice transition that makes me think a little of black licorice, and then very herbal tea-like flavours moving into the finish. Long finish that's jammy with echoes of herbal flavours. There's some heat in the back end that makes it feel a little disjointed, but it passes quickly. Overall this is a great value for 18 bones.
3.0 Stars
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Niagara College Teaching Winery Cabernet Franc 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Donald J.P. Ziraldo Vineyard
Ontario, Canada$15.70
The aromatics are bold showing plum, blackberry bushes, cedar, dried blueberry and tobacco. Acidity dominates the structure of this wine, immediately puckering the tongue and cheeks. Sour red cherry and raspberry are the dominant flavours, along with a sprinkle of white pepper. The finish is relatively long, filled with muted echoes of the sour red fruit and pepper. This wine will be a rewarding treat along side rich wintery dishes, or to those that have the patience to cellar it for a year or four.
2.5 Stars
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Bernhard Mehrlein Riesling Kabinett Feinherb 2007, Qmp, Johannisberger Erntebringer, Estate Btld.
Rheingau, Germany$14.65
The nose is flirtatious - green apple, honey, stone of a ripe summer peach and a hint of a sweet rose petal. Remarkable weight, apples, peaches and some graham cracker kind of spicy sweetness. The acidity is bang on here and balances the residual sugar that’s here wonderfully. The finish is an inspired dance on my palate of summer fruits and flowers, with a bit of minerality. The acidity ensures it’s a clean refreshing feeling left when I'm done. Great wine and unbelievable value in typical Riesling style
2.5 Stars
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