Brad Mate

Oban 14 Yo Highland Scotch Single Malt

I really love this Scotch b/c it has a little bit of everything - sweet malt, oak, honey but with smoke and sea salt. All the flavors some how stick out individually making this whisky super complex and delicious. The finish could be a bit smother, but hey I'm just looking for reasons to not rate this perfect.

Muga Reserva 2012

Here's a full bodied Rioja that offers a harmonious mix of ripe fruit and wood and just a tad of earthiness on the backend. This seems just a bit harsh at the moment, another two or three years in the cellar would really make this bottle sing.

Terredora Di Paolo Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo 2014, Docg

Zesty, lemony and fresh. This would taste so much better if I were drinking it by the Mediterranean Sea. Drinking this in cold Canadian weather just doesn't do it justice.

Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009, Coonawarra, South Australia

nice wine but a little light and boring - but well made.

Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County

This wine is all about lemon butter. It's lean not fat and fresh and light instead of heavy. Shows woodsy vanilla on the nose with pure lemon juice and lemon butter on the palate. Did I mention lemon...yes very lemony.

Ross Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

I'd write a review, but Paul Forget already did and it's bang on. I scored this wine a little higher based on the delicious factor. I also liked that it is a full bodied wine, but it's not heavy... Great wine.

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

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.

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.

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