Mike Rochon

Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja

Excited to see this being re-released on saturday nov 10, had a bottle from its initial release earlier this year. Maturing quickly the rim is garnet with an orange tinge and some bricking. The aroma is herbaceous with cherry, smoke, floral and oak notes to round it out. Medium-full bodied, the acidity and tannins have rounded and the wine is balanced and structured. Enjoyed with rack of lamb and will be looking to pick up a few more bottles as the LCBO was kind enough to re-release this gem!

Katogi & Strofilia Xinomavro 2005, Ao Naoussa

Structured, backwards, staunchly old world, and a little funky.

Notes of plum, earth, smoke, and tons of bacon. Drinking well now and pairs beautifully with food.. an excellent value.

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia

A massive effort from the folks at 2 hands, a deep black and purple rim. The wine is bursting with aromatics of plum, cassis, blackberry, jam, vanilla, chocolate and spice. Full bodied, rich and creamy with smooth tannins and medium acidity. A hedonistic wine in a style that is often a syrupy, jammy mess but the folks at two hands have created an immensely drinkable wine, highly recommended.

Travaglini Gattinara 2006, Docg

Hailing from one of the lesser known (at least in Ontario) piedmont regions is an absolute stunning bottle of wine. At 30$ a bottle its an excellent value and would surely pass as a mature barolo or barbaresco blind. Pours a light red color with some garnet on the edge, exhibiting some definite maturity on the rim. Floral with notes of earth, cherry, mushrooms, and a touch of oak. The wine is light-to medium bodied and the tannins and acidity have mellowed enough to make it beautifully balanced. An excellent value!

Preiss Zimmer Vieilles Vignes Riesling 2008, Ac Alsace

Maturing riesling that pairs nicely with food but not especially pleasant on its own. Aromas of peach, wool, citrus and potpourri. Waxy on the palate, off-dry with high acidity and a medium body, a decent representation of the style but not something that was especially unique or memorable.

Château La Rouvière Bandol 2006, Ac

Deep ruby and opaque in the glass this shows no signs of tiring and would age gracefully for at least another decade. Easily mistaken for bordeaux blind, firm, rough tannins but enough acidity to balance them. Red fruit, leather, smoke, earth, tobacco and graphite. Complex, structured and traditional; a gorgeous bottle of wine.

Louis Jadot Château Des Jacques Morgon 2009, Ac

Ripe red fruit, floral, earthy, a touch of smoke, leather and earth, this is a full throttle Beaujolais. Medium to full bodied with firm dusty tannin and high acidity, impressive length of flavour and complexity .

Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010, Ac

Bursting with green apple, minerality, lemon, lime and honey. The substantial minerality is present on the nose and palate, and makes this instantly recognizable as chablis. Clean, crisp and light to medium bodied this is chardonnay at its most raw and un-manipulated finest.

Paul Delane Cremant De Bourgogne

Light and refreshing, with notes of apple, pear and citrus. A touch of yeast and smoke but dominated by fruit. High acidity and clean, crisp flavours lack a little complexity but create a mouthwatering, aperitif style sparkling.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Paso Robles

Overripe plum, currant and black cherry, heap of oak, vanilla, chocolate and coffee, stewed, jammy fruit and alcoholic burn. Round, fat and dominated by oak, a total disappointment.