Brad Mate

Foreign Affair Petit Verdot "On Assignment” 2012

This wine is outstanding! It hits the palate with a gentle sweetness that transitions perfectly to a dry finish...like magic. Ripe blueberries, vanilla, with hints of coco and sweet tobacco. Great mouth feel. Superb wine.

Pondview Bella Terra Cabernet Franc 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Get down to the winery and taste the 2010 vintage release... it's hands down the best single varietal Cab/ Franc I have every had. Packed with terroir driven fruit and earthiness, it's smoky and delicious. It has incredible concentration of fruit & remains perfectly balanced. Impressive and complex.

Westcott Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2013, VQA Vinemount Ridge

A big full bodied chardonnay with harmoniously integrated oak. Although it's weighty, it possess a real elegance...in my opinion of course.

Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Cairanne Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Ac

cool smoky cherry, blueberry- vanilla complemented with potpourri herb and spices, & black pepper. faint bluberry and bitter cherry pit on the palate. this one needs more bottle age 5-6 years at least. not complex now but has the ability to be maybe...truthfully I'm just not digg'n this wine...too bitter, hot and thin with a short finish

Manoir Du Carra Les Bottières Juliénas 2012, Ac

This is impressive for it's silkiness as it's very Pinot like. It's medium bodied and smooth. Ripe cherries, cola, hot rock steam, cedar and vanilla. Has a soft velvety finish.

Henry Of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2013, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Absolutely fantastic Chardonnay. This is textbook Oaked Chardonnay. Balanced fruit and acidity and very calm on the palate. HOP has a great track record of consistent wine making and this chard continues that legacy at a terrific price.

I Greppi Greppicante Bolgheri 2007, Doc

wow now that's a wine! big, structured, rich...bitter dark chocolate coffee flavours. good grip, could probably age for another 10 years.

Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley

I tasted the 2006/07 at the winery...what a nice place to visit in the summer (don't try and find it your self though) This is a full bodied cab, a little bit of a crowd pleaser. Lots of thick ripe fruit and wood but balanced and a touch tannic. Not bad, but not so special Try the 19 block mt veeder...it's got more to offer in my opinion for about the same price.

Crossbarn Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley

Santa Rita Medalla Real Carmenere Gran Reserva 2011, Colchagua Valley

This wine always impresses me for the price. Big structure and loads of flavours to savour. I really love the honesty of this wine year after year.