Brad Mate

La Font Des Grières Gigondas 2009, Ac

Another great offering from the 2009 vintage. The nose provides a ton of brown sugar, baked blueberries and mineral that swashes through effortlessly on the palate. As always this wine is structured and fresh, which makes it all the more enjoyable.

Formby & Adams Leading Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Langhorne Creek, South Australia

This is a big full bodied wine packed with flavour and structure. It's a tad strong but some how plays out smoothly on the palate...with heat to follow of course.

First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley

The nose gives you plenty of cassis & cedar with hints of eucalyptus & tree bark. The blackberry fruit is in the background. The palate hedges in with lots of vanilla oak & cedar but adds bramble berry flavours. It's dry and structured, medium bodied...and perhaps just a tad over oaked for my palate . For the price, i have no worries.

Smoke & Gamble Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2010, VQA Ontario

Wow a game changer...I love it. Who knew the terroir near Port Dover could produce wine that reminds me of right bank Bordeaux. The Cab/Franc and Merlot flavours really dominate this wine. It's loaded with sweet tobacco, leather, green bell pepper, cassis, and coco. Soft Merlot dominates the palate with coco mocha. Really nice fine grained tannins...so soft, and impeccable structure. Let it open up in your glass for about 20 minutes and you won't be disappointed.

Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sonoma County

Nice hearty Somona Cab. Packed with cherry, blackberry, blueberry, vanilla oak and cedar. Medium to full bodied, a tad harsh around the edges, but a solid Cali Cab for the price. Kenwood's wines are always well priced and reliable.

The Prisoner 2011, Napa Valley

Tasted the 2009 Vintage.

An intriguing nose - blueberries, plums, dates and black currents mingle with earthy soil and meaty notes. Smells like a mix between California Zin and Argentina Malbec. It has a really silky cashmere feel on the palate with nice depth and length. Finishes suave. This wine is super easy to drink, it’s no wonder it has such a cult following in the US.

Foncalieu Réserve Du Crouzau St. Gervais Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac

The nose offers rich strawberries, vanilla, flowers, stone, bitter coffee grinds and hits of orange peel. The palate is suave, leading into a mineral/chalk infused tight finish. This is drinking beautify for such a young wine. I imagine it will develop even further if you cellar it for 3-5 more years.

Terredora Aglianico 2009, Igt Campania

Decanted for about 45 minutes or the nose is slightly austere. After opening up, it's full of strawberries & raspberries with hints of black pepper. It's gorgeous on the palate, so suave and silky with flavours of creme de cassis and strawberry cobbler. An amazing buy, from a noble producer. If you like Pinot Noir, you will adore this wine.

Trentadue La Storia Petite Sirah 2010, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

This is a massive fruit bombish style of wine that somehow manages to stay focused with a nice dry finish. Thick juicy tannins and plenty of vanilla oak complement the ripe Alexander valley fruit.

Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake

all of the chards from Chateau des Charmes have similar quality...buttery and oaky, but a bit sharp with a burnt pop corn finish. They all seem to share these qualities just with different intensities.