Mike de Maria

Tilenus Envejecido En Roble 2007, Do Bierzo

On the nose it's toasty with raspberry and black fruit flavours. In the mouth, it's wonderfully balanced and fresh, and the flavours really jump out at you. There's a definite hint of 'cold cream', although before reading JS's review I was describing it as raw pumpkin/squash....but cold cream also seems appropriate. It's light, but explosive....which makes it really easy to drink, and the acidity makes it very food friendly. I drank it with rack of lamb and it held up nicely.

This is one of the best $18 wines I've had in a long time...

Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010, Ac

Both John Szabo's and David Lawrason's review are bang on (other than DLs 'firm and tannic' comment) with this one.

The nose is fairly muted, not showing a whole lot, but it's a complete head fake 'once it hits your lips.' It's quite rich, yet fresh and focused, with red berry fruits and plum flavours, with some garrigue, a little minerality, and as DL says an animal note at the end. Lovely balance, and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. Would score higher if the nose was more expressive.

Uvaggio Secco Moscato 2010, Lodi, California

This was my first go at a dry Moscato (Muscat). On the nose it's quite fragrant with meyer lemon, white flowers, peach, and lychee. The aromas are replayed on the palate, but it dies on the finish and there's an off-putting bitter note as well. The bitter note was less noticeable with food, but both before and after dinner it was ever present. Overall, nice to try a different grape/style, but for $20, it's a pass.

Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Shiraz 2010, Niagara Peninsula

Highly drinkable is a good way to describe this wine. Smoke, tar, dark fruits, chocolate and warm spices with a dense, plush, velvety mouthfeel without being jammy or over the top. Balancing acidity keeps things fresh. This might be the best $20 Canadian Red I've ever had.

Planets De Prior Pons 2008, Doq Priorat

Wonderful balance between fruit flavours, savoury flavours, wood, tannins, acidity. Dark fruits with some earthy mushroom/truffle like flavours, licorice and spicy oak notes. Really very nice.

New world, with old world character....

Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2007

This is a nice "lighter" styled Brunello that's ready to drink right away. I was surprised by how mature the wine was for a 2007, having tasted some 2004s and 2006s that still seem young by these standards.

It certainly on the elegant/feminine side of things, but still with lots of flavour and complexity.

I drank this with beef and found that the pairing really brought out the savoury notes in the wine.

Overall a very nice bottle of wine that didn't dissapoint, although would have probably liked it more if it was sub-$40.

Tenuta Rocca Ornati Langhe 2006, Doc

This is a lovely blend of old-world/new-world, and young/mature wine. It has elements from all of the above...

I think the expert reviews do a good job at describing the wine, so I'll leave it at that.

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2010, Docg

Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Igt Toscana

Intensely flavoured, and very much Italian in style. Bright food friendly acids, rich, and very complex. Fresh and dried fruits balanced by spice, earthy truffle, some dark chocolate and leather.

$30 well spent if you're into old world style wines that have that wonderful, complex mix of funk and fruit.

Domaine Lafage Cuvée Centenaire 2011, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon

Certainly a complex mix going on here in the glass. I get cantaloupe, honey, stone, and a hint of spice. Balanced, harmonious, and 'classy' as they say. Nice value too.