Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Riserva 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$15.95
Deep ruby with ruby around the rim, showing some age. Spiced fruit notes, cedar and fresh potting soil on the nose. After opening up, the oak wafts off a bit and aromas of ripe cherry and pommegranate unveil. Still fairly big tannins at the front and a tea-like bitterness on the finish. Fair amount of oak throughout the mid palate where the fruit takes a back seat. Some length on the finish with cranberry and orange peel flavours.
Drink tonite with cured meats and cheeses or cellar for 2 more years. Tasted Aug '11.
3.0 Stars
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Niagara College Teaching Winery Bf Chardonnay 2008, VQA St. Davids Bench
Ontario, Canada$19.15
Big and badass chard, in a toasty canuck style. Cali oaky chards have their pinepapple vanilla thing. Niagara oaked have their butter, corn thing. Very satisfying, would suit a fireplace or bonfire. Cedar Plank Salmon or smoked turkey would match. Toast and caramel on nose. Butter, apple and nut on palate. Good finish, warming, not for the ABC crowd. Big and full for under $20.
3.0 Stars
Casa Girelli Simboli Müller Thurgau 2009, Doc Trentino
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy$9.95
Light straw colour. Rose, red appley, pear, peachy on the nose. Smells like a cross between gewurtz, pinot grigio, muscat ant riesling, taste like it too. Apple, peach and floral with a medium body weight, medium acidity a touch of bitter. Very friendly easy to like wine. Drink at a party where cougars are abound or drink with grilled seafood skewers or salmon and herb pasta. Tasted May '11
3.0 Stars
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Lacheteau Brut Crémant De Loire, Traditional Method, Ap, Loire, France
Loire, France$18.95
Lemon, strawberry and sandwich bread on the nose. A light and airy texture, tiny soft bubbles, clean dry finish. Lemon and lime on the forefront, maraschino cherry and mandarin finish in the mouth. A lighter and very easy to drink cremant. I am guessing that it's chenin blanc. Potato chips, shrimp crackers, or short-bread.
Tasted March '11
3.0 Stars
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Montaribaldi Tre Stelle 2008, Doc Langhe
Piedmont, Italy$14.95
Ruby with a darker core. At first look and sniff I would have guessed as a Rhone. Kirsh with soil and chocolate, this wine has a beautiful nose that displays elegant fruit signing a duet with earthy chocolate. On the palate I know it's not a Rhone. Black licorice, sambuca at the front then juicy berry acidity fill the cheeks. Floral strawberry finish with just the right amount of tannins, some dark choco. Mmmmhh! This wine is really really good. Don't care what you eat with it, I just want to drink it. I'm gettin more. April '11
3.0 Stars
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Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Crianza 2006, Doca Rioja
Spain$15.95
Agree for the most part with the Toronto wine Guy. Better than average Rioja, medium bodied Tempranillo. Something about this wine made me think of Burgundy. The nose had an immediate earthy, mild funk all to familiar with pinot, but it blows off and gives way to ripe red fruit. Raspberry and cherry, after time it lets out a cocoa to mild mocha scent. Lots of acidity and tartness, juicy finish. Nothing to complex. Good value, 2 more $ would get you something more complex.
3.0 Stars
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Domaine De La Bastide Cuvée Les Figues Côtes Du Rhône 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$10.95
Deep plum colour, with some purple to the rim, familiar to S. Rhone syrah heavy blends. The fact that the label calls it "Shiraz", and it's fruit forward, enticing aromas, and ease of drinkability, have me conclude that this wine is marketed to new world drinkers who might otherwise be intimidated by the Cotes du Rhone. Very Satisfying for it's price, not delicate, but does have layers. i think it will be successful in intriguing newcomers to discover more liquid treasures of the Rhone
3.0 Stars
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Messias Grande Escolha 2007, Doc Douro
Portugal$14.10
Deep and rich looking with purple and burnt ruby shades. Aromas of sweet ripe dark berries, cocoa and vanilla. Juicy, big and mouth filling with fruit and instant gription, but not over-drying gription. Coffee bean flavours with the savoury meaty texture of a kidney bean. Fresh creamy oak, well placed acidity and well integrated alcohol. A big wine for the price, very well balanced and hearty. Roasted lamb shoulder with stewed tomatoes and olives. Tasted June '11
3.0 Stars
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Blackstone Winesmaker's Select Merlot 2008, California
California, Usa$15.95
Cali Merlot from blended vineyards across the state. Could fall into the "fruitbomb" category. Nothing too interesting on the nose, somewhat confection. Blueberry, cherry vanilla, rich palate, full body, satisfying steak or grilled lamb wine. Probably a easy crowd pleaser, "fake boob" wine, but stlil representative of cali merlot.
3.0 Stars
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Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$12.95
Pale straw, clear rim in the glass. Lemon, grapefruit and a whiff of yellow plum on the nose. Lemon drop at the front with juicy acidity, very nicely balanced with a hint of grapefruit pip in the middle. A touch of herbaceous and roundness on the finish to let you know that there is some Sauv Blanc in there. The blend is 80% Semillon which is obviuos, and I think it is a great blend. This is a really nice all season white blend, lots of tartness to pair with all ranges of seafood, even chicken souvlaki, falafels. I would buy again.
09 Vintage, tasted March '11
3.0 Stars
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