Mike de Maria

Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2012, Coastal Region

These South African Chenin Blanc's are quickly becoming some of my favourite white wines. This one is full bodied, rich, concentrated, perfumed. Complex with roasted nuts, citrus, creme fraiche, burnt marshmallow and a subtle hint of vanilla. Refreshing and balancing acidity, and the slightest pleasant bitterness on the finish.

La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja

This wine is intense. Intensely perfumed, intensely flavoured. It's not heavy, or thick by any means; medium bodied, fresh vibrant acidity....but intense. Integrated and evolved oak, dried sour cherry, dried flowers, leather. There's a lot going on here. Exceptional wine.

Castorani Amorino Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2007, Casauria

Very aromatic. Tart but ripe red fruits with savoury herbs, spices and 'shoe polish' (in a good way) complexity. Rich, with food friendly acidity and structure. Still a solid backbone of tannins. This wine was delicious to drink now, and my guess is it'll still be good 5 years from now.

Brancaia Tre 2007, Igt Toscana

This wine received some very hyped up critic reviews when it was first released, but in general people were disappointed when they first tried it. I was one of those people. But I did find that it got better the next day and even the day after. Luckily I was able to get 2 bottles so I plugged the other away in my cellar and recently shared it with some friends. It has certainly improved since it's release, and I was quite impressed. If you've got some of these stashed away, give it another try and see if it's improved. It was an 89 when I first tried it, I think it's improved to a 91 now.

Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc

One bottle was corked. Other bottle was nice. For $32, this is a great introduction to Amarone. You can pop and pour this wine and it will drink wonderfully. It's not over the top in terms of "raisin" and "dried fruit" flavours and aroma, and has a nice bit of acidity and freshness. Some wines are obviously Amarone...this one, not so much. A very enjoyable wine.

Coto De Imaz Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

A wonderful mature Rioja here. Aromas and flavours of coconut and red berries, with a silky smooth mouthfeel, and fresh balancing acidity. Great way to taste aged wine for $20.

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac

Really nice wine here for $17. Wonderful balance between the fruity flavours, earthy flavours, acid, and tannins. It just all comes together nicely like the good CdR do.

Mazzei Castello Di Fonterutoli Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007

Wonderful balance in this wine. It's red fruit dominated with some complex savoury flavours, elegant, juicy and full of flavour. When really trying I think I got what John Szabo refers to as "oyster shell minerality." There's something to that, although I'd never be able to come up with such a description.

It was delicious with a Garlic and Sage Marinated Berkshire Pork Chop cooked medium rare, but I think it has the stuff to go well with beef dishes as well.

Really nice wine, well worth the $25.

Sasso Al Poggio 2006, Igt Toscana

I tend to agree with Blair's review for the most part. It's not all that good right out of the bottle. It's fairly closed and tight with sour black cherry dominating the palate. After a few hours it opened up, turned to ripe black cherry and I did get the chocolate, but think bitter dark chocolate not milk chocolate. It's quite juicy and fresh despite the age. Overall, you can do better for $19 but it's not bad after a few hours of breathing.

Aliança Quinta Dos Quatro Ventos 2008

I didn't find this wine to be all that dense or rich. It was balanced and fresh, with black fruits, plum, and an almost meaty/dried herb finish. I found the fruit opened up a little more after 30 minutes in the glass, and it became a little more complex, but not much.

I almost want to say the bottle might have had a fault based on some of the other very good reviews, but I couldn't detect anything.

This was just ok to me. Not worth $25...more in line with what I'd expect from a $17 dollar bottle.