Barry McLarnon
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Reviews (180)
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Reviews
Mayschoss 140 Jahre Jubiläumswein Trocken Pinot Noir 2013, Qualitätswein, Ahr
Germany$21.95
Discovered this one hiding in the cellar, purchased exactly two years ago today. The additional aging time has no doubt been beneficial - this is a very impressive wine, with great balance and fruit, coupled with enticing savoury notes. It is perhaps the best pinot I've encountered from Germany, and puts me in mind of Central Otago at its best. Alas, only the one lonely bottle in the cellar, but I'll be on the watch for pinots from the Ahr Valley in the future.
3.5 Stars
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Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.95
This one really captures the essence of "feminine" pinot noir - an excellent value, especially at the recent discounted price of $17.95. Ed Madronich is clearly making great strides in his aim of making world-class pinot at affordable prices.
3.5 Stars
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Thirty Bench Red 2007, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.00
Our last bottle of the 2007... still very deep color, with no signs of fading. Lots of fruit on the nose and palate, and the tannins have mellowed to the point where they are almost unnoticeable. Drinking well now, but my sense is that it will not improve further and is poised to start falling apart - indeed, it's probably a bit past its prime already. Ultimately, just a tad disappointing, as I wanted a bit more complexity and a longer finish for a 2007 Niagara red at this price point.
3.5 Stars
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Ruppertsberger Imperial Pinot Noir Trocken 2021, Sustainable, Pfalz
Pfalz, Germany$20.95
I really wanted to like this pinot, but it failed to impress. It started well enough, with a low key but inviting fruity nose accented by oak spice, but it slid downhill from there... I found it quite tight and a little rough on the palate, and the finish was relatively short, with a bitter edge. Even at this fairly modest price point, there are quite a few better choices.
3.5 Stars
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Niepoort Dão Rótulo Red 2013, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$15.25
This wine certainly bears little resemblance to the inexpensive Daos I was drinking back in the 70s and 80s (Terras Altas comes to mind). This one is all about freshness, and instead of oak, comes with a bracing dollop of minerality. As intended, very food-friendly, even with lighter fare such as roast chicken.
3.5 Stars
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Mojo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Coonawarra
South Australia, Australia$17.95
Love the restraint and elegance here - the deep colour has you expecting an Aussie fruit bomb, but that's not at all the case. I'm guessing that the iconic Wynn's Coonawarra Cab Sauv has a bit more richness and complexity, but it's hard to say for sure without a side-by-side comparison. Nice wine at a nice price.
3.5 Stars
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Tomich Woodside Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$20.80
I'm fully onboard with David on this one. I too have been captivated by Aussie pinots, mainly from Victoria, but more recently from a few sterling examples from the Adelaide Hills. The fruit is beguiling here, but it is nicely complemented by spicy notes that add a distinctive Aussie touch to the pinot experience. Alas, it has all but disappeared from the LCBO shelves, but luckily I was able to stock up before that happened. Last tasted August 2024.
3.5 Stars
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Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2018, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$24.95
A fresh and clean chardonnay with pleasant citrus-y fruitiness and more than a dash of oak spice. Ultimately, however, I found it a bit underwhelming, lacking sufficient body and mouth feel to balance those other components. At the $25 price point, there are better values available, from South Africa and Ontario, among other regions.
3.5 Stars
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Domäne Wachau Terrassen Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2020, Qualitätswein
Wachau, Austria$17.95
Textbook groovy, at a nice price point. I always struggle to describe the aroma and taste of this varietal, so I'll just borrow a page from Michael's book, and simply say "I know, it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it...".
3.5 Stars
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Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Marlborough 2018
New Zealand$19.95
This is a compelling pinot that punches well above its $20 price point - it has luscious cherry fruit, a touch of spice, and a lovely smoky note. It's in its prime right now, but should be just fine for a couple more years. Best of all, it's still available (though I haven't verified that it's the 2018 vintage currently on offer), so although I already stocked up a few months ago, I'll be heading back for more soon.
3.5 Stars
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