Brad Mate

Jackson Triggs Black Series Meritage 2010, Niagara Peninsula

2013 Vintage

Light bodied - shows smoky raspberry with loads of green bell pepper, dried basil and dried leaf notes. Too green for me.

Colio Cev Reserve Cabernet Franc 2007, VQA Lake Erie North Shore

There's some really nice barnyard earthiness, cherry tobacco, spicy cherries and smoky vanilla oak to this well structured wine. It's really too bed it's so thin. I was expecting more weight considering the warm 2007 vintage.

Nugan King Valley Frasca's Lane Chardonnay 2009, King Valley, Victoria

Lots of QPR here...butter, short bread with hints of lime. the palate is tropical and woodsy. Nice burnt nutty taste to the finish.

Château Tour Saint Vincent 2009, Ac Médoc

Wet earth, cool mint, cigar tobacco, green bell pepper, musty vanilla oak, and more funky earthy notes. The palate is soft and supple with a caressing milk chocolate finish.

Stratus Wildass 2011

Funky, weird and backwards nose...leads to all sorts of funkiness on the palate. Sweet-cherry, wax, raspberry, oak, flint, artificial flavours...and funky earthy tones. Starts fairly sweet but finishes dry and structured. A very odd wine at best. See my video review on www.niagarawinevideos.com

Abad Dom Bueno Mencía 2008, Do Bierzo

Smokey vanilla oak, violets, hot rock, blueberries and char and some old world barnyard. Medium bodied and fresh. Lots of hot rock carry through to the palate. Might be a little shy on fruit for some??? But I appreciated its super fine tannin structure. Purchase as much as you can...amazing value here, I've tasted Rhone over $100 that this compares to. Cheers.

Valentin Bianchi Malbec 2010, San Rafael, Mendoza

The nose is strong, and a bit astringent. It gives you plenty of smoke dark black berries, black liquorice, anise, herbs & burt vanilla. It's harsh and tannic with big chewy tannins that provide a bite. It finishes strong with plenty of heat. This is a big powerful wine that shocks your palate.

Don Jacobo Reserva 2004

A perfectly matured Rioja for an unbelievable price. Its nose provides so much love...spicy cherries, vanilla, oak, green winter mint, hints of caramel (old world meets new world) The colour is blood orange. The palate is delicate with supple and smooth but noticeable tannin. Add plum to the notes and this is a real pleasure to drink. You would expect to pay $50 for a bottle of wine as nice as this. Wow amazing value!

2005 is amazing as well!

Pondview Cabernet/Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

48% Merlot 35% Cabernet Franc & 17% Cabernet Sauv. This is commonly known as Pondview's Black Label, which represents similar quality of the Bella Terra flagship wines (barrel aged) but with larger production and softer tannins, making them immediately approachable. 2010 was a stellar vintage for reds in Niagara providing optimum ripeness. This wine opens up with big ripe black cherry fruit, campfire smoke and black liquorice. The palate is structure with nice grippy tannins and packed with flavour - deep black cherry, black plums, leather, vanilla oak with a sweet tobacco finish.

Creekside Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007, Niagara Peninsula

This is a spectacular Cabernet from a stellar vintage in Niagara. Bing cherries, blueberries, cassis, pipe tobacco and vanilla oak, all in balance. Beautiful dusty tannins allow for a nice full bodied experience. Terrific finish. Pairs great with a juicy steak.