Brad Mate

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

this rose lives up to it's reputation. Check out my video review on niagarawinevideos.com

Ramón Bilbao Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

takes a while to open up - then nice clean fruit and cedar notes. really nice wine to sip away the night.

Bel Echo Pinot Noir By Clos Henri 2010

Although there is some real intriguing earthy, meaty and fruity flavours and scents, the wine falls short on the finish...too bad, a long finish goes a long way in my books. However the silkiness of this wine helps to win you over, ever so slightly. In the end it's enjoyable, and for $15 bucks, I'd call that a great value...would I purchase again? ...sure. Good luck finding Pinot this flavourful at this price point.

Two Tracks Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, South Island

Finally a $20 Pinot that's awesome! The nose really provides gobs of Strawberry jam & cola with hints of wet earth. The palate is supple & silky smooth. It glides effortlessly - no burn here. Nice structured finish. Pair it with a triple cream brie and the richness of both are decadent.

Southbank Chardonnay 2010, Hawkes Bay, North Island

Tropical cedar woodsy nose. The palate echos with spice notes. Maybe too much wood as the wine becomes edgy on the palate. It almost feels like you might find some wood chips floating around in there.

Lan Crianza 2008, Doca Rioja

The 2008 Crianza is not as suave and silky as previous vintages. I remember the Lan crianza usually having pinot like qualities...this seemed a bit austere and masculine. The fruit seem a tad poor in quality. I was really hoping to have an old favourite...maybe my palate has changed? Not digging this vintage.

Lailey Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Tasted the 2011

This is an elegant feminine pinot, light but with surprising breadth to the palate. It starts with smoky plums, cherries, violets and rose petals. Stays elegant, silky and smooth through the mid-palate, then adds touches of sour fruit and grip to the finish. A pretty complete Pinot Noir for $25.

Chateau Senejac 2005, Cru Bourgeois Haut Médoc

A faint nose of blueberry, cassis & musty cedar. Light to medium bodied with tart sour cherry, black current and cedar on the palate. It well made & structured but lacks something in the flavour department...?

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros

After you let this open up, it becomes soft and smooth. It's a mellow wine with sweet cherries & vanilla woodsmoke. Nice medium body. It has a bit of tension holding it back from achieving greatness.

Argiolas Perdera 2009, Doc Monica Di Sardegna

Another enjoyable well made wine under the $20 buck mark, wow I'm on a roll. This wine has Rhone like qualities, in my opinion, however the nose offers creamy vanilla oak, cherry, hints of cedar and brown sugar. The palate is quite lush, but focused and dry on the finish with black pepper notes. Honestly this is a screaming effort for only $17.95.