Brad Mate

Château Saint Nicolas 2010, Ac Cadillac Côtes De Bordeaux

Impressive for the price. Some funky old world cheese scents, charcoal, blackberry, and cassis. Very dark on the nose. The palate is surprisingly soft but with noticeable tannins. Highly recommend!

Oak Bay Gamay Noir 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

I can see why WA folks like this Gamay...It's true to its roots, very much reminds me a Cru Beaujolais. The nose is a classic mix of roses, violets, beets, earthy mud and potpourri. The palate is smooth with an iodine thickness. Sweet and sour Swedish berry candies dominate. Remember to decant for an hour to release its full potential.

Beringer Chardonnay 2013, Napa Valley

David's review is spot on.

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.

Rustenberg Chardonnay 2013

Full, lush and flavorful. Beautifully integrated vanilla/caramel oak, with honeydew, melon, and pineapple and hints of citrus. Dry but Luxurious mouth feel. Totally incredible for $20.

Ravine Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula

not too oaky, but the wood is noticable...i picked up a salty minerality. a little lighter bodied than i prefer at this price point but still very charming.

Colaneri Estate Winery Insieme 2009, Niagara Peninsula VQA

2010 Insieme

The nose offers creamy oak, and blueberries with hints of cedar, caramel and cherry cough syrup. It's silky smooth on the palate but feels worked over & slightly manipulated. As a result the structure breaks down and the finish is weak.

Bel Echo Pinot Noir By Clos Henri 2014

Ripe cherry, pomegranate and herbs with a hint of smoke on the nose. The palate starts off soft but quickly turns dry and a tad sour. Nice dry finish.

Maison Roche De Bellene Côtes Du Nuits Villages 2011, Ac

Very nice (light) Pinot. I was expecting a tad more out of this...very pretty as with all the wines from Nicolas Petel, but just too thin and simple for $25.

Château De Fontenelles Cuvée Renaissance 2006, Ac Corbières

It reminds me if you were walking down a dirt road (somewhere near a wild blueberry/ raspberry bush) & it' raining slightly, it's a bit windy so you smell the berries, but also the wet dirt, and then some how a little bit of old school wood in there...like the smell of an old church or a musty wooden floor or old books???...amazing to smell..tasted it 3 hours later - taste buds picked up berries and cold meat, after 3 hours it was smooth & easy to drink.