Barry McLarnon
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Reviews (172)
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Reviews
Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontés 2016, Uco Valley
Mendoza, Argentina$19.95
As expected, a very exotic and gloriously perfumey nose. It's not clear to me what nuances are added by the barrel fermentation, but no doubt there are some. Also as expected, some astringency on the palate. For her next experiment, I would encourage Ms Balbo to go for a bit more ripeness, and then stop the fermentation early to achieve an off-dry style. A bit of residual sugar could curb that bitter note - the result could be quite interesting!
3.5 Stars
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Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$0.00
14% ABV seems over the top for any Pinot, much less one from Niagara, yet this one seems remarkably well-balanced. Very savoury, with dark cherry, wood spice, and smokey notes... best of all, we picked it up for half price in October 2017 at the winery, when it appeared that they were about to become defunct. Rumours of their demise turned out to be exaggerated. Too bad we didn't grab a case... sigh.
3.5 Stars
Trapiche Fincas Las Palmas Gran Reserva Malbec 2014, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$16.95
Malbec is a seldom a go-to choice for me, but this one is a cut above the mean, with attractive fruit, well-managed oak and tannins, and food-friendly acidity. Good balance overall, and fine value at the $17 price point.
3.5 Stars
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Wayne Gretzky Riesling 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
This is one of the best rieslings on the general list, with an enticing nose of lime, limestone minerality, and a touch of petrol. On the palate, it's off-dry but not cloyingly so, with refreshing, food-friendly acidity. As always, the screwcap closure is a plus.
3.5 Stars
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Malivoire Gamay 2016, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
This has long been a benchmark for Ontario gamay, and a staple at our abode. Consistently good year after year, but I like the extra bit of richness that it delivers in the warmer vintages, and this is one such. Food-friendly, savoury, and delicious.
3.5 Stars
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Follas Novas Albariño 2015, Do Rias Baixas
Galicia, Spain$17.95
I'm always on the lookout for albarino, and this is a fine example. The aromatics are not overly intense, but I really like the complexity, conjuring up various herbal and fruity nuances - keeps you going back for another sniff. Fresh and clean on the palate, a great accompaniment to seafood. And sensibly capped with a screwcap closure - what's not to like?
3.5 Stars
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Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2015, Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$12.95
Meaty, beaty, big and bouncy... not much subtlety or finesse here, but pretty hard to beat for the price, especially when it was on sale a few months back.
3.5 Stars
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Dirty Laundry Woo Woo Vines Gewürztraminer 2015, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$15.75
A blowsy gewurz with some decent varietal characteristics and apricoty fruit. Off-dry, despite the rather hefty 13.8% alcohol level. Could use a little more acidity for better balance - might have benefited from earlier picking, perhaps?
3.5 Stars
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St Hubertus Riesling 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$13.75
Not unlike many of its Ontario brethren, laden with limey acidity and minerality, but there's a savoury note that sets this BC riesling apart. Not sure if it's sagebrush, as JS suggests, but whatever it is, I like it.
3.5 Stars
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Saint Roch Vielles Vignes Grenache Blanc/Marsanne 2015, Côtes Du Roussillon
Languedoc, France$15.95
I had trouble finding this wine here on WA, since the page incorrectly describes it as a grenache/marsanne blend rather than grenache/roussanne. The pictured bottle is wrong too, since the wine has a cork closure, not screwcap. The reviews from the gurus are bang on, though - this is a fine value, reminiscent of some similar white blends from South Africa.
3.5 Stars
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