Blair WineLover

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.

Estate Hatzimichalis Chardonnay 2010

This did not work for me. It was neither subtle, nor golden buttery, but some mineral tasting in-between. And it declined over time, with a taste I cannot describe but do not like becoming more prominent. Canadian chardonnay is just as good for that price.

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.

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Santa Ynez Valley

Rustenberg Rm Nicholson 2009, Wo Stellenbosch

It really does remind me of a Medoc wine, despite the presence of Syrah, which does not dominate. Very flavorful, I liked it a lot, but I cannot quite give it a ninety. It was not quite smooth or complex enough. Still, it was a decent value.

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac

Yet another sub twenty dollar wine rating a 91. I am not even disappointed any more. Every taste seemed a little different, some better than others. The classic Rhone taste was muted, and often the wine was very smooth, but contrary to the reviews I could not detect much of a finish. It is worth the price, but I can't stretch to give it a 90.

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.

Mazzei Castello Di Fonterutoli Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007

Starts smooth, and develops a chocolatey finish after a while. It did not go sour and dry for me. Good value at this price point, for a change.

Sasso Al Poggio 2006, Igt Toscana

I taste sour black cherry. It has some length, but I do not taste the promised chocolate. It is not all that smooth to start, and by the end of the second glass the flaws become more apparent. This is yet another overrated twenty dollar wine.

Rosewood Estates Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara Escarpment

There are lots of wonderful tastes here, as said in the Critic Reviews. But, while it improved with time, it never got smooth enough to quite rate a ninety, or really be worth the money. But then, maybe smoothness is more important to me than for others.