Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
Thumbs all the way up for this great example of 20 mile bench Riesling in the under $20 pp. Straw and green tinged water in the glass, with fresh and easy aromatics of lemon-lime, green apple and river rock on the nose, following up with some honeyed green tea. On the palate this wine is fresh, clean and easily gulpable at 10.5% alc. The citrus fruit replays on the tongue with apple and sweet apricot. Man I could crush a btl of this wine so easy. Drink when thirsty, best in the sunshine. Tasted Oct '11.
3.0 Stars
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Side Gate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$12.95
Deep violet with midnite purple and thick legs in the glass. Blackberry, cherry, menthol and vanilla, with a new world charm on the nose. Full bodied but lacking in acidity, the wine leaves a fruit tannin feel but lacking in complexity. Some forward berry and creme de cassis but lacking in the Terra Rosa spice, earth and black pepper that I was expecting from Coonawarra. Easy drinking, friendly cab. Drink with burgers. Tasted Nov "11.
3.0 Stars
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Casa Gualda Plus Ultra 2006, Do Ribera Del Júcar
Spain$13.95
Deep ruby with violet tinge, this wine still has a purple streak of brightness at 5 yrs old. Ripe berry cocktail of red cherry, blackberry and even blueberry with a dark soil minerality and coffee on the nose. The palate is dry and on the light end of full bodied with ripe fruit and wood tannins. A real softness and elegant balance of fruit and oak, and beautiful red currant fruit from the petit verdot. Chocolatey chewy finish with heaps of earth and mineral that I want from Central Spain. Huge bargain for such an interesting wine. NY Steak, ribeye, or any grilled beef or lamb. Tasted Nov "11
3.0 Stars
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Fontanafredda Duale Rosso 2007, Doc Langhe
Piedmont, Italy$12.70
Bright ruby with shinny clarity. When first opened the Barrel notes stand up front then after opening up some fruit and herbal come out. Aromas of pomegranate, dried cherries, vanilla and a slight menthol followed by some warm oats and toasty oak. Juicy red currents, ripe strawberries, vanilla flavours on the palate with a round, toasty burnt caramel on the finish. Medium body with lots of acidity, not very complex on the finish but clean and easy to drink. Pasta with rich tomato sauce, braised beef or veal, salty cheeses. Drink now till 2013. Tasted May 11'.
3.0 Stars
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Michel Delhommeau Cuvée Harmonie Muscadet De Sèvre Et Maine 2009, Ac, Sur Lie
Loire, France$13.95
Straw to yellow in the glass. Citrus peels, mineral, ocean water and tangerine on the nose. Cucumber skin, sea salt, and tangerine flavours followed by white grapefruit and mineral on the finish. The 12% helps to fill out the mouth. Very interesting with different layers. This wine screams for fresh oysters or steamed clams with chervil butter. Tasted May 11'.
3.0 Stars
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Faustino Crianza 2007, Doca Rioja
Spain$14.95
Deep violet with purple tinge in the glass. Cedar and toasty aromas of oak waft out of the glass followed by dark cherry and spiced cocoa. Gripping tannins but with a smooth finish. Old world in style with spice, earth and oak followed by the dark cherry, raspberry and roasted cocoa beans. More oak dominant than fruit, this wine needs protein or cheese to match the tannin and wood. Grilled beef or roasted prime rib with jus, or firm sharp cheese. Tasted Oct '11
3.0 Stars
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Bouchard Père & Fils Côte De Beaune Villages 2008, Ac
Burgundy, France$24.95
Textbook Village Burgundy. Ripe red fruit, churned earth and clove spice on the nose. After opening up more root vegetal, clay and mineral notes waft up. Juicy, medium body, fresh finish yet a richness in the middle that suggests a couple more years ahead of it. The palate is a nice mix of red fruit and mushroom earthy goodness. Pass the duck legs, Tasted April '12.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Santa Ema Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$16.95
A lip-staining standard Chilean Cab Sauv. Deep ruby and bright in the glass with healthy legs. Ripe bing cherry, plum, menthol and cedar on the nose. Pleasant mix of fruit, earth and cocoa on the palate with drying tannins. Red cherry, red currant and a little bit warm on the finish but still think she could be laid down for 2 to 3 more yrs. Nothing too complex, but standard and satisfying. Decant for 2 hrs or have with grilled red carne. Tasted Nov '11
3.0 Stars
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Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon 2009, Ac
Loire, France$19.95
Great Chinon example of freshness, fruit, spice and slight richness from oak. Medium violet, with light violet rim. Fresh cedar, peppercorn and clove spice aromas when first opened, give way to ripe bing cherry, red current. The nose of the wine really opens to toasty wood and fragrant spice with tart fruit. The palate follows the nose and even the tannins are a blend of wood and ripe fruit. The touch of leather on the finish make this wine call for braised short rib, jus and herbed mash. Let this wine mellow for 2 yrs. Tasted Oct '11
3.0 Stars
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Rosewood Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$20.00
This wine is underpriced (extra point). A great example of why 09 was a great year for Pinot's coming off the bench. A beautiful burgundy colour, a deeper, richer ruby than most other pinot's from the area. Well integrated oak with cherry fruit on the nose with a touch of that classic earthy/leathery aromas. The wine has a richness in the mouth with perfect acidity, tart cherry, burnt orange and spiced wood. A medium bodied mouth feel with big structured tannins and a moderate finish. I enjoyed it with pizza but would recommend lentils stewed with smoked ham and truffle oil. July '11
3.0 Stars
