Holly Bruns
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Reviews (155)
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An accredited Sommelier, Holly's reviews are both informed and accessible. She writes about the wines she likes with a focus on the affordable.
Reviews
Painted Rock Red Icon 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$55.00
A bold expression of a blend; dark red fruit aromas, layered with pepper and woodsy cedar end in a spicy, lingering finish on the palate. The texture runs a fine balance between refreshing acidity and velvety tannin. Mmmmmm.
4.5 Stars
Mission Hill Quatrain 2008, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$33.25
This is nice, nice, nice. An inky presence in the glass and a spicy, figgy, smoky, peppery, dark cherry, bouquet of aromas. The silky mouth feel and the long fruity finish make this wine very enticing. A perfect warming, red wine for the winter.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Painted Rock Syrah 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$34.69
An enticing mélange of cherry and dark berry fruit fruit, earth, loads of spice and a little something sweet. The long, fruity finish is silky with some enlivening texture. Start drinking it and you'll just want more.
4.0 Stars
Lailey Vineyard Impromptu 2010, VQA Niagara River
Ontario, Canada$44.95
The 2010 blend of Syrah, Malbec, and Petit Verdot is not to be missed. The complex nose of smoke, sage, earth, pepper, dark cherry and vibrant red fruit is supported by a lovely texture of tannin and acid that says this wine could lay in your cellar for a few years and be even better than it is now.
4.0 Stars
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Angels Gate Old Vines Chardonnay 2006, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$23.95
This is one of those wines that you just want more of; tropical fruit with a little spicy baked apple on the nose and for a medium bodied wine, it's very balanced on the palate. Smooth. There's a tinge of lemon on the finish that livens things up.
3.5 Stars
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Trius Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
This refreshing bottle of bubbly is very tart on the palate with some citrus fruitiness, a little apple and ginger, lots of yeasty, biscuity aromas, and a slightly bitter, mouthwatering finish. Good to get your appetite working.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)W
Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough
New Zealand$19.95
A light, crisp wine with sour cherry, earth and tea notes on the nose. A little nutmeg follows up on the palate with a long, fruity finish. A good food wine.
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
A big fruit profile on the nose with some tropical banana and coconut balanced out by a little tree fruit and some pleasant acidity. A warm, caramel note finishes things off nicely. A lovely wine for sipping all on its own.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz 2009, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$35.95
There is a nice blend of aromas in this bottle: sweet spices, cherry, smoke, cedar, and eucalyptus. The gentle tannins are balanced by a little shot of mouthwatering acidity and the long finish is a little peppery. All the right stuff in just the right amounts.
3.5 Stars
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Urbina Gran Reserva Especial 1991, Doc Rioja
Rioja, Spain$43.95
Red fruit still abounds with some very compelling earthy undertones, spices, cigar box, and something a little salty on the nose. The palate retains some of the earth and red berry fruit with an added fennel/licorice taste and hangs out on the finish with gentle tannins and a balance of acidity. We like it.
3.5 Stars
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