Brad Mate

Las Rocas Garnacha 2009, Do Calatayud

2009 vintage is alot better than those previous of this wine. This wine tastes great and has the complexity of a Gigondas. 15 bucks...great buy!

Clos De Los Siete 2008, Mendoza

some wine nerds my disrespect this wine b/c of it's make up and mass production claiming it does not reflect a sense of place...but what it does give you is pure drinking enjoyment...really well made, richly textured and amazing structure..this wine is a big boy...

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!

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

Chehalem 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, Willamette Valley

It's kind of hard to nail down a reference point for this Pinot??? Russian River, Yarra, Central Otago, Burgundy...does this mean Pinot is becoming homogeneous...no sense of place? Oh well, it's delicious and well made so i guess sense of place doesn't mean sh*t. Amazing Pinot can be grown and cultivated all over the world, so I'm Love'n this one from the Willamette Valley!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tierra Del Fuego Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah/Carmenère 2008, Maule Valley

Nice deep purple ruby stain in the glass leads to a classic carmenere nose...smoky black cherries, chili peppers, creamy oaky vanilla. A tad off balance, lazy & hot, but a nice long finish.