Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Le Clos Jordanne La Petite Colline Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$40.00
La Petite Colline was my fav of the 3 '07 Clos' (Petite, Talon, Claystone) when I first tasted them in 2010. Pure joy and accomplishment in the glass for a Niagara Pinot that would not only school most contenders from Oregon, but would peer down on the podium to most 1er Cru Burgogne. A far cry from any embarrassing 08 Niagara Pinots, this wine could have held up in my cellar for 5 more years easy. Full bodied for a Pinot, with a melange perfume of raspberry, rose, milk chocolate and fresh potting soil. Round and silky with plush fruit in the mouth, enough tannin for fatty game birds. - Jan '13
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley
California, Usa$72.95
Feb '11. Straw with yellow green hues. Butter and coconut cream on the nose. Pear and dried pineapple also come out on aroma. A great mouth feel with some creamed corn, lemon and coconut. It had acidity, but I found it underneath the chin and puckering on the cheeks, which is a sign of acidification. This would be a nice addition to a cellar. Great with any fatty fish, rich cheeses, sauteed poultry.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Hoffmann Simon Riesling Spätlese 2009, Qmp, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen
Mosel, Germany$16.25
Yummmy. Deliciously balanced Riesling from Piesporter, a top Mosel vineyard. Rich yellow colour with apparent viscosity. Intoxicating nose of key lime, apricot, nectarine, honey and marigolds all bound by intense mineral notes of crushed rocks. Spatlese - off dry on the palate, but the tingly acidity keeps it crisp with a clean finish. Candied lemon, apricots, Bartlett pear and tinned Mandarin flavours linger in the mouth. Drinking exquisite now, but will hold 10 more yrs to develop more complex flavours and petrol notes. Enjoy with medium spicy seafood, mild curries or cheese. Tasted April '12
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$23.90
Fantastic value, especially for $7 off in vintages bin end. Very Northern Rhone in style being a Syrah heavy blend. Meaty, earthy, not as white peppery but still spicy with grippy tannin and juicy dark fruit core. Needs decanting and/or meats. A big satisfying, old world style wine.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Glenfiddich Single Malt 15 Years Old
Scotland, World$119.95
The 15 yr old Solera Cask from GlenFiddy. Beautiful Speyside Scotch. Lovely medium amber colour with a tinge of green-gold. Soft inviting nose of sweet and spice interchanging. Vanilla, caramel, honey, clove, nutmeg, toasted rye bread. The palate is rich and smooth with just a little fiery grip on the sides of the tongue. Buttered toffee, orange marmalade and toasted rye bread with a spreading of honey. Medium plus, soft finish. Lovely with black forest cake. Tasted Feb '14.
4.0 Stars
(1000+)G
Twenty Twenty Seven Cellars Featherstone Vineyard Riesling 2009, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$20.95
Kevin knows what he is doing with Riesling, and they are only gonna get better. Grapefruit, petrol, blossom, and some green apple on the nose. Explosion of sour citrus, petrol on the mid palate, kumquat on the finish. The wine really opens up to with grapefruit and apple. There is a bit of roundness to balance the mouthfeel, coming from natural residual sugar. Definitely a showpiece for Niagara's top Rieslings. Have with freshwater fish or Thai green curry w/prawns or pork. Tasted March '11
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Gloria Ferrer Blanc De Noirs, Traditional Method, Carneros, California
California, Usa$34.95
Picked this up at Premier Liquor in Buffalo for $18.95. Wonderful light salmon-peachy hue with tiny and pervasive bubbles in the glass. Initial aromas of fresh sliced strawberry on lightly toasted brioche. After the wine opens up the bubbles remain persistent with soft mousse. New aromas of orange, strawberry and hazelnut milk chocolate emerge. The palate is dry but not overpowered by acidity as there is a certain richness of fruit and yeasty texture. Delicious balance of flavours and mouthfeel with excellent length. If you can find this, buy some. Food pairings are endless. Tasted April '12
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Beaumont Des Crayères Grand Prestige Champagne
Champagne, France$58.20
Yummy. All around classic Champers at a great value. The beads rising in the glass seem very intense and I'm sure would last for hours - like I gave it the chance. Toasty, yeasty, sourdough, caramel apple and lemon brulee on the nose. The mouth feel is incredible, soft soft bubbles that foam on the tongue. Great balance of richness and acidity. This bottle did not last long. Tasted Feb 2013.
4.0 Stars
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso 2008, Veneto
Veneto, Italy$15.00
Ruby colour with garnet hues. Red fruits on nose, like cherry and red currant. Mild spice and soft herb on nose as well. Soft oak, vanilla even drawn butter on mid palate. Nice supporting tannin, but I don't think has enough acid to make it something worth aging. Drink 2011 to 2013, with antipasto, red sauce dishes or Ms Vickey's BBQ chips. This blend is mostly corvina, which is a cheaper workhorse grape, and unless dried or cropped low it usually does not yield a complex wine.
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Burrowing Owl Estate Chardonnay 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$34.95
Feb 11'. Yummy times, full and classy. Green apple sauteed in butter on the nose, hints of soft oak and dried orange. Some toast, white peach and mild citrus. Very well balanced, not too much oak, medium+ finish. Would have gave it a 90 but found the aroma fell off after a bit. Fantastic wine, haven't had anything I didn't like from this producer. Nut crusted trout, or pear and brie pizza.
3.5 Stars
(0)V