Brad Mate

Delaforce Quinta Da Côrte Vintage Port 1997, Dop

This stuff is awesome. Loads of baked dark fruit and sweet tobacco. ...but not too sweet. It's smooth but with a little bite of freshness. Easy to sip on this all night long.

Prunotto Barolo 2012, Barolo

When people ask me what makes a great wine, I always say balance. I think this wine sums that up. Sure it delicate and light, but it's also so balanced and graceful that you actually forget there's alcohol in it. Think Pinot Noir but with super fine grippy tannins. I know there's a lot of $20 wines out there but believe me, spend the extra $20 on this and you will understand the beauty of Barolo.

Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do Ut Des 2012, Igt Toscana

Nice tight super fine tannins to support the suave fruit and earthy tones. It has a touch of old school Rioja funk to it, but stays neat and tidy on the finish. Medium bodied and Firm. This is a serious wine by all measures. Score = BUY BUY BUY!!!

Bachelder Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

So complex and different. Fermented completely with the use of wild yeasts to make this a slow "nail-biting" process, says Thomas Bachelder. It’s awesome to see talented winemakers take risks! With the birth of Thomas Bachelder’s new label, his legendary abilities really shine through.

Watch the my interview with Thomas Bachelder at Cuvee 2013

niagarawinevideos.com

Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay 2010, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula

Loved this wine for its fullness of character – smooth, big, ripe, lush, tropical & zesty fruits with buttery mineral notes, vanilla oak and more. Very nice long caressing finish.

Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Prince Edward County

Well for me, it just doesn't get any better for $35 BUCKS. This is a Beautiful expression of Pinot Noir. Lots of fresh wild raspberries and blackberries. Nicely integrated funky earthiness and a seductively suave body. This wine has it all!

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia, 53rd Vintage

Very well put together wine. It's drinking very young at the moment. A wine like this needs a good ten years to develop to its full potential. It's an incredible wine for 25 bucks. Flavour, structure, balance, finish...its all there. Give it a go for sure!

Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2013, VQA Prince Edward County

It's pretty amazing someone in Ontario (PEC) can aspire to such an elegant, luscious, suave, balanced and sophisticated Pinot Noir. The only issue here is the price, but I guess Pinot is over priced in most markets.

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2007, Mclaren Vale

Big, smoky, woodsy- blueberry pie, vanilla, barnyard nose. full bodied with silky tannins. Desert like, but stays fresh on the finish.

Nada Giuseppe Casot Barbaresco 2012, Docg

I found this really tight at the moment, making it hard to pull out flavors. It's thin but structured with a very suave mouth feel. I'll have to revisit this in a couple of years.