Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Domaine Du Père Pape La Crau De Ma Mère Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$44.95
Deep ruby with soft brown on the edges. This wine is like a fresh blueberry exploding in front of your nose. Licorice root and root beer aromas followed by sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). Raisin and ripe strawberry's on the palate with a big hot finish laced with fig and dark cherry. Soft minimal tannins.
Lamb tagine or short ribs. Drink now till 2016.
Tasted April 11'
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Daniel Rion Les Lavières Nuits Saint Georges 2008, Ac
Burgundy, France$47.95
Light ruby with brilliant clarity. Immediate mild spices on the nose of soft black pepper and cardamon followed by waves of raspberry and cherry. This wine starts out very feminine and fruity but then it gets more interesting with smoked ham and clove rising from the glass. On the palate the wine is matched with fresh red berry fruit, tight, bright acidity. Lots of strawberry and then chervil. Very delicious, not a funky pinot by any means. Great with roast turkey, pork tenderloin. Drink now or hang on to for 5 years.
Tasted April 11'.
3.5 Stars
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New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, New Zealand$15.45
This review if for the 2013 New Harbor Sauvignon Blanc. $16.50 offsale price in Sask. Good value in this no-mistaking for anything but Marlborough Savy white. Very in yo face green aromas of poached asparagus, peas, basil, pepe du chat, and papaya. Little stinky when first opened so let it waft off. Great crisp mouthfeel, almost a bit sweet on attack then finish's with juicy acid to clean up and keep yo mouth watering for some more. Not the most complex or focused but it fits the bill and gets points for value. Drink young. Tasted Feb '14.
3.5 Stars
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Lionel Osmin & Cie Cami Salié 2010, Ac Jurançon Sec
Southwest, France$12.75
Fantastic find, very satisfying. Medium straw colour in the glass with evident viscosity. The nose is generous with ripe citrus - mandarin orange, clementine and sweet grapefruit. The palate provides instant pleasure of rich ripe fruit, mouth filling texture and integrated acidity that leaves a long welcome finish from this full bodied but not heavy white. A marked minerality leaves a great impression on the tongue. Gorgeous stuff. Blend of Petit and Gros Manseng. Grilled salmon with tropical fruit salsa or chicken stirfry's easy on the soya. Drink over next 2 years. Tasted Oct '13.
3.5 Stars
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François Villard L'appel Des Sereines Syrah 2010, Ac Vin De Pays Des Collines Rhodaniennes
Rhône, France$17.95
Pure and correct expression of Syrah from the Rhone. Not big, nor jammy, nor Alcoholic this is a brilliant effort for a more restrained yet still wild and earthy wine. Bright ruby in the glass with a slight haze showing natural and unfiltered winemaking. The nose is spot on with white pepper, sausage, rosemary, liquorice and cherries. Medium plus body, ripe juicy tannin, bright acid and a wonderful finish that harmonizes fruit and wild earth. With 12.7 alc, this Syrah is true to old world style and sings of terroir. Duck breast or leg would suit. Drink now till 2016. Tasted Sept '13
3.5 Stars
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Pierre Gaillard St. Joseph 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$22.15
Wonderfully constructed, very satisfying and great example of N. Rhone Syrah. Cured salami, white pepper, dark berries and sage bush on the nose. Full bodied, griping tannins, tart dark cherry with a savoury and juicy core. A big wine, could cellar till at least 2015. Try with braised lamb shank or fresh pasta with wild mushrooms and pecorino. Tasted Jan '12.
3.5 Stars
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Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2009
Puglia, Italy$16.50
Love the funk and old world charm on the nose, screams of Italy. Still has enough fruit power to hold up the sturdy tannin and acidity. Lovely finish and length, you could still hold this well priced wine for at least 2 more years. I enjoyed on its own, but most Italian fare with red sauce or cured meats would work. Extra point on this wine for the value. Tasted Sept '13
3.5 Stars
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Warre's Quinta Da Cavadinha Vintage Port 1996, Doc Douro
Portugal$49.95
A real treat. Decanting this wine was an experience in itself as the air filled with chocolate, date, caramel, and dark berry scents. The nose is extremely generous with evolving and layered aromas showing age, yet still a freshness. The mouth is rich, full, sweet, showing surprising tannin and acid freshness for a 17 yr old wine. Flavours run all spectrums from fresh red cherry to dark stewed plum. Massive lingering finish. This was the #Wineofthenight under a full moon, sitting around a bonfire with wine geeks. We inevitably got wasted. Watch out for dry cork. Bring on the bleu and chocolate
3.5 Stars
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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
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Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace Grand Cru
Alsace, France$19.95
Beautiful golden-peach colour in the glass with slow, rich tears. Fresh fruit salad of pear, melon and peach on the nose with a hint of white flowers and spice. The palate is rich, full and off-dry but is balanced by nice acidity that makes it not overly sweet. The fruit flavours replay in the mouth with a touch of honey and a long juicy finish. This screams for food: spicy Asian dishes, Indian curry, blackened chicken or cheese plate after dinner. Tasted Mar '12
3.5 Stars
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