Blair WineLover

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Santa Ynez Valley

Falernia Reserva Syrah 2007, Elquí Valley

After all these great reviews, I was rather disappointed. It is not much better than an average Australian shiraz. Some notes just do not work for me.

Gancedo Mencía 2007

Wonderful, rich, smooth and fruitty. My cellar is filling up with these great value wines from Spain, released when they are properly aged. Highly recommended.

Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Nice creamy butterscotch Canadian style wine. I did not notiice any bitterness, and I am fussy about that.

Heredad De Baroja Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja

What a contrast with the Australian fruit bomb I had last night, which, by the way, was very good. Even the reviewers here do not have much to say about fruit. For me, this wine is all about feel. A silky smooth beginning, followed by a complex and slightly hot middle. Then a long but subtle finish.

I would not introduce my country cousin to wine with this, but I find this wine to be a pleasant adventure.

Mapema Malbec 2009, Mendoza

Very rich and smooth, and stays that way to the third glass. I guess blackberry is the flavour; I am not so good at the fruits. Not a lot of complexity. But I like it. Decent value.

Château Des Moines 2009, Lalande De Pomerol

The other day I enjoyed one of my small stash of the 2008 vintage of this wine, which I love for its rich, interesting flavour. The 2009 is quite different, amazingly smooth and a bit more subdued. I have had $50 Brunello di Montalcino that was not this good. It is great now, so who knows how it will age. I intend to find out, I just ran out and bought a case. Can I say more?

Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007

Tobacco and spice with a pepper note. Very smooth, good value. It really benefits fom an hour in a carafe to reduce the initial manure bouquet and bring out the flavours.

Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

The rich, intense taste hits you right from the start. But as is common for Australian Shiraz around this price point, it does not completely cover up the sharp edges. Shiraz lovers will score this higher than I do.

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac

This does not really work for me. It is not nearly smooth enough to rate a ninety. Not quite my kind of wine.