Mike de Maria

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.

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.

Evening Land Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011, Willamette Valley

Raspberry dominated red fruits but playing second fiddle to lots of savoury notes with pencil shavings and dried herbs. Measured oak, fresh acidity. Nice wine.

Hauller Muenchberg Riesling Grand Cru 2011, Ac Alsace

Lots of action on the nose; pear, melon, and baking spices, which replay on the just barely off-dry palate along with citrus infused acidity and I like the 'white strawberry' reference though would have never thought of that myself. The finish shows a little bitter minerality. This is certainly a very concentrated wine, with a fullish mouthfeel, but balanced and harmonious.

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.

Angels Gate Riesling 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

This is a nice, fresh, zippy riesling here. Lots of lemon/lime with stoney minerality, and a hint of petrol. Vibrant, fresh, grippy acids. Really incredible value here for $14.

13th Street Merlot 2012, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula

The first Ontario red I've tasted from the much heralded 2012 vintage, and if we can produce this level of quality at the $18 price range, we are in for a real treat at the upper end.

Very fragrant and open nose with ripe black fruits (blackberries, black currants), herbs, and I like the 'wet clay' description. The alcohol is a little pronounced at first, but after 30 minutes or so it integrates well with the fruit.

I'm impressed by the level of depth, concentration, structure, balance, and overall deliciousness for a sub $20 Ontario red. Can't wait to try more.

Clos Du Val Zinfandel 2011, Napa Valley

This is more my style of Zin. Not jammy, over-extracted, and confected, but elegant, sour edged, and fresh. This lacks a little complexity to push it into the 90s, but I'll take this over the jam and oak examples that abound.

Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Nagambie Lakes, Victoria

Another nice, fresh, medium bodied Victorian wine from Australia. It has a fragrant nose of blackberry, cassis, violets with a touch of nail polish. Bright acidity, a nice plush texture, with some fine grained tannins provide balance. Relatively high in alcohol at 14.5%, but not that noticeable. A nice wine all around.

Castello D'albola Riserva Chianti Classico 2008, Docg

Nice food friendly Chianti here, but at the price just a tad over-valued. Lots of savoury notes like dried herbs and pencil shavings, mixed with red fruits. Vibrant acidity and firm tannins beg for food. Solid food wine if just a tad over-priced.