Brad Mate

Calera Pinot Noir 2009, Central Coast

If you're a fan of Pinot Noir this one will sing to you. From the start, the nose offers fresh raspberries, raspberry jam sweet plums, minty greens, with underlying notes of earthy mud & hay. The palate passionately sweeps you off your feet with super silky tannins and mouth feel...so so silky...sweet cheery and cream are present on the palate with just a slight hint of green leaf. Unquestionably beautiful and suave.

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2010, Mclaren Vale

As always - a stellar wine! Although I feel the Pirramimma team made this offering more balanced than previous vintages. It's more lean and structured...I still get lots of juicy grapes, black fruits and pipe tobacco (Classic of this producer). But i feel this is a tad more balanced...anybody else think so? Are the Aussies altering their main stream style? Less jam more focus...I think so.

13th Street Essence Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Big, bold, dark and structured. Offers up rich black cherry, cola & crème brulee. This Pinot needs to rest for several years before it’s flavours and textures can be fully appreciated.
Watch my interview with Jean- Pierre Colas at Cuvee 2013 as he explains his newly found love obsession with Pinot Noir from Niagara.

niagarawinevideos.com

Lailey Vineyard Impromptu 2010, VQA Niagara River

Just shy of perfect. This is one of the best Niagara Red blends ever made... without a doubt. Huge structure and complexities frame this powerful wine. Just goes to show you, with the right wine maker, soil, and weather, Niagara can seriously produce world class wine. This was my Favourite wine of 2013. Watch the video on Niagara Wine Videos.

Ravine Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2009, Niagara Peninsula VQA

This is a solid barrel fermented Chardonnay offering fresh cool climate notes to the typical woodsy vanilla cream that we all love in Chardonnay. Structured with a solid finish.

See my interview with Winemaker -Shauna White on niagarawinevideos.com

Pondview Estate Winery Bella Terra Meritage 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This Meritage is structured and still very tightly wound. It probably needs a decade of aging before it comes into its prime, much like top notch Bordeaux wines. It offers dense black fruits – blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry with black tea, tobacco leaf and dark roast coffee or rich espresso. But there’s also a hint of baking spices and herbs such as cinnamon, basil and mint or Eucalyptus. The palate is strong and fresh with gripy tannins. It’s medium to full bodied with a long finish

Malivoire Mottiar Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

solid pinot for the price.

Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2010, Wo Swartland

Thanks to @winespectator for the first SouthAfrican issue, for otherwise I would not have found this spectacular wine. It's full of tropical fruit, butter and zest...with some sea salts. Layers and layers of complexity. It's balanced with perfect acidity. If I made this wine I would keep it for myself. It's just shy of perfect.

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Lake County

A nice dry structured Cabernet, not jammy at all. This is one for the decanter. Dark roast coffee, cassis, blackberry herbal tea. Nice grip to the finish. Tasted the 2010...If you're a Cab fan buy a case, for $20 bucks it's amazing. send me a comment - look up my website www.niagarawinevideos.com

Closson Chase Chardonnay Closson Chase Vineyard 2011, VQA Prince Edward County, Unfiltered

These's a lot to love about this chardonnay...butter, mineral, zest, vanilla custard cream pie...tons of flavour and class. Super delicious!