Brad Mate

Malivoire Gamay 2011, VQA Niagara Escarpment

Creekside Estate Cabernet Shiraz 2011, Niagara Peninsula

Great quality for price! 2011 vintage offers a real freshness – Fresh sour cherries, sweet pipe tobacco with hints of smoky vanilla oak. Stays lean with fine grained (grippy) tannins. This will really show well in a couple years, so tuck some away in the cellar.

Château La Fleur Grands Landes Fleures Carrere 2010, Ac Montagne Saint émilion

Roasted/ stewed cherries and char with some sour notes on the nose. Very inviting. the palate is plagued by astringent notes and tartness. Interesting but not that enjoyable right now. needs 3-5 years to calm down.

Domaine De L'echelette Mâcon Cruzille 2010

Medium creamy oak with peach blossom, caramelized apples and honey suckle all in a subtle fashion. It's a graceful chardonnay that won't step on anybody's toes.

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Sonoma County

For the price...kick ass Sea Bass.

Pfaff Pinot Gris 2012, Alsace

Starts off sweet with loads of ripe fruit and honey. Tapers off quite quickly however. Finishes dry and focused.

Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley

Classic Chilean Cabernet – offers cassis, black cherry, roasted green bell pepper, jalapeno, cedar and oak. Medium weight with fine tannins.

Kew Soldier's Grant 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Not a big wine, but Cab fans will appreciate it's flavor complexities. I think David's tasting notes are spot on. I like the 2012, it is available at the winery.

Folie à Deux Chardonnay 2011, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

A tasty number for the price. A little woodsy but not a total turn off. Ripe and just smooth enough to become loveable.

Three Saints Sixty Seven Red 2007, Happy Canyon Of Santa Barbara

This wine really packs some stiff structure and balance. It's tight, grippy and tannic. Nice sage and basil herbs match the fruity boysenberry, cherry pie, pipe tobacco and vanilla ice cream lushness. Stays lean and structured although the finish is a tad short. However, there's an overwhelming smokiness to it, which wins huge points in my book. Nice drying sensation to the finish.