Brad Mate

Hubert Brochard Les Carisannes Pinot Noir 2014, Igp Vins De Pays Du Val De Loire

I enjoyed this little pinot, but i can't say I'd purchase it again. I like my pinot's a touch richer.

Vignerons De Gigondas La Font Des Grières Gigondas 2007, Ac

Delicious blueberry fruit – fresh not jammy, with mineral notes, extremely smooth on the pallet and impeccable structure. I wish I bought more last year…grrrr

Louis Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant De Bourgogne, Traditional Method, Ac, Burgundy, France

Pours a nice creamy mousse, with a pretty pink-copper colour. It’s stylish, with delicate raspberry and strawberry flavors…there’s a hint of sweetness on the mid palate to add pleasure but finishes dry and crisp.

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

well well well, this little Lady Bug rose actually impressed me more than i thought it would. I can see why so many people liked it. nice strawberry watermelon nose and flavours with hints of lime and lime peel, but also complemented with sweet marachino cherry flavours. it's just off dry creamy and smooth. Another incredible rose from Niagara!

Ravine Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2007, St. Davids Bench

The 2007's have aged wonderfully. All the wines I tasted at Ravine's vintage vault tasting event were spectacular.

visit niagarawinevideos.com to read my article - "Ravine Vineyard is in the Winelight!" And, view the photo shoot of the vintage vault tasting event.

Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2008, Mendoza

nice big gritty style malbec. cherry tobacco nose leads to cherry, vanilla, musty oak with hints of lead mineral tones on the palate. must be unfiltered b/c theres plenty of tannins to chew on.

Les Darons 2014, Ap Languedoc

Well I might be a tad bias because I haven't enjoyed a glass of wine for about three weeks, but my my my this puts a big smile on my face. Who knew I would enjoy an un-oaked red wine??? I guess this means that oak (the seasoning of wine) might not always be needed if the ingredients are prepared inquisitively by the Chef. No salt needed here, this wine is beautiful - sugar plums, brown sugar, smoke and charcoal. Drinks and finishes dry. This is a wine I'd like to always have at arms reach.

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

D'Angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2009, Doc Basilicata

first note - decant for an hour...okay now classic notes appear... spicy cherry, barn yard, earth, tobacco, charcoal, wet wood and vanilla must... and a hint of citrus (orange peel?) . Palate is smooth but dry...offers loads of pipe tobacco. A tad thin, but that's normal for this varietal. Classic and respectable.

Amalaya Valle Calchaqui 2008

The name Amalaya, or “hope for a miracle”, is rooted in the desire of the native Calchaqui Indians to keep the gods of nature content. - with the Hess Family behind this venture you know it's something special.