Michael Valaitis
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Reviews (177)
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Reviews
Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2012, Burgundy
Burgundy, France$15.95
Satisfies the urge we get the third week in November. Aromatically its a potpurri of raspberry, cherry and grape gum, with that mild hint of cotton candy. Not as much of the banana milkshake as I expect from most BN, but still had mucho tutty fruity permeating the room. The palate is soft and juicy like and ranks high on the crushability scale. Other than white fish, there not too many foods that this wine wouldn't wash down. Drink within hours of purchase.
3.0 Stars
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Château Roquefort Sauvignon/Sémillon 2011, Ac Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France$16.95
A quenching wine that calls for fried seafood appetizers. Pale straw. The nose is losing its fresh Sauvignon fruitiness and offering more toasted grass, mineral, chalk, sesame, matchstick. The palate has almost spritz, dry, juicy acidity, peachy extract on finish. Clean, refreshing finish. Wee bit reductive, some air will benefit. Drink over next 2 years. Tasted Dec'13.
3.0 Stars
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Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 1999, Prädikatswein
Mosel, Germany$31.95
A '99 Piesporter for less than $20, this Riesling should deserve a 90 for the value alone. With 14 yrs of aging already done for you and years of vibrant life still left in the bottle, you would be silly not to pick this up. It is quite delicious and the crushability factor on this 8.5% alc is very high. Beautiful medium gold colour in the glass. the aromas are classic slate and lime, apricot and a touch of wheat. Surprisingly the petrol note is mild, almost like the wine went through an intense petrol stage but is now gone just leaving behind a memory. Will hold 5+yrs. Tasted Mar '13
3.0 Stars
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Mallory & Benjamin Talmard Mâcon Uchizy 2011, Ac
Burgundy, France$16.95
Would be hard to peg as a Chard in a blind tasting, but overall quite enjoyable and huge value. Yellow pear and apple on the nose, with apricot kernel and a slated mineral note. Dry, medium plus body with a bit of peachy unctousness and a creamy finish. Riper and more round than the 2010. Very easy to put back, and for the price this could be your house Chard. Not oaky so it will suit a crowd as well. Tasted July '13
3.0 Stars
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Neromora 2009, Doc Irpinia Campi Taurasini
Campania, Italy$15.75
An enjoyable wine, though not the truest expression of the Aglianico grape. Deep purple almost black in the glass, not the redish rust I was expecting. Nose suggest new world style with judicious new oak, lots of vanilla, mocha coffee. Ripe blueberry and cherry notes follow with some grilled herbs. The palate is not as austere or sturdy as most Aglianico's, softer tannin but still high acid, creamy oak on the finish. More blue and black fruits with only a hint of that volcanic tomato. Pasta with meat sauce or garlicky eggplant dish. Drink over next 3-5 yrs. tasted Nov '13
3.0 Stars
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La Ferme Du Mont La Truffière 2011, Ac Côtes Du Rhone
Rhône, France$15.95
Fantastic value, showing true character of vineyard and winemaking resulting in an exemplary southern Rhone white blend. Lime, peach and yellow pear Pez candy, all crushed in stone mortar are some of the aromas wafting in the glass. The palate is medium body, dry, fruity, mellow acid and broad mouth coating extract. The richness of fruit surprisingly refreshed and cooled my palate after some extra spicy vindaloo, a pairing I thought wouldn't work but actually worked brilliant. We drained the bottle looking for more. Tasted Oct '13
3.0 Stars
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Steller's Jay Sparkling Brut 2008, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$25.95
The 08 Stellers Jay is starting to develop nicely in the bottle. Steady, long lasting beads of fine bubbles, pale straw in the glass. Little bit of SO2 on the nose when first opened, gives way to red apple, yeast and lemon. Fairly Brut and crisp but with a touch of extract on the soft finish. Apple, pear, and lemon flavours on the palate with crunchy acid and medium body. Pass the hors d'oeuvres. Will start to develop more doughy characteristics as it ages, so keep some around till 2018.
3.0 Stars
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Jackson Triggs Proprietors’ Reserve Meritage 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$13.95
This is a tasting of the 08. In 08 JT switched their label series, the Meritage is now under the Black Label, same price, screw cap, VQA NP.
Niagara style cabmerlot on the nose, green bell pepper, smoky meat, and coffee grinds in the compost. Juicy red cranberry up front with that peppery coffee and celery in the middle through to finish. Medium tannins with abundant acid.
Very typical of Niagara reds, expressive of clay-loam soils. I find it to be worth the price, and if you like Niagara style it is quite enjoyable.
Pepperoni sticks, dry ribs, nacho cheese Doritos.
Tasted April, '11
3.0 Stars
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Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile$14.95
Deep ruby with light purple tones. Sand, cherry and violet on the nose. Blueberry, vanilla, mild mocha and dark cherry on the palate. Drying but not killer tannins. Savory medium finish, very friendly easy to come back to wine. A good go to crowd pleaser. Sip with Grilled beef burgers, flat iron steak, grilled eggplant + tomato salad, veggie burrito's from taco bell.
3.0 Stars
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Château Grand Village 2006, Ac
Bordeaux, France$17.00
Deep ruby colour with violet tones. Wild berries and cedar on the nose. A little bit closed at first, but opens up to dry flowers, coffee crystals and some fruit on the nose. In the mouth it feels round, but has a drying mid palate and slightly bitter finish. There is a balanced acidity, backbone, and tannin structure that make this wine enjoyable for the price.
Beef kababs, entrecote au poivre, or Hamburger Helper cheeseburger macaroni. March '11
3.0 Stars
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