Barry McLarnon
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Reviews (180)
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Reviews
A To Z Wineworks Pinot Noir 2014, Oregon
Oregon, Usa$24.95
The back label announces "the essence of Oregon", and this description doesn't seem overblown when you taste the wine. This pinot strikes a nice balance between cool and warm climate characteristics, with attractive fruit, fairly deep colour, good varietal typicity, and minimal oak influence. Food-friendly, smooth, and very pleasant to sip - what's not to like?
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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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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Malivoire Gamay 2012, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$17.95
Nice to see the 2012 vintage hit the shelves. I was a big fan of the 2010 edition of this wine, and a tad disappointed with the 2011, which, while still quite drinkable, was rather thin and lean in comparison. The 2012 vintage seems to fall between the two stylistically - a bit less ripe and fleshy than the 2010, but a noticeable improvement over the 2011. I love the cleanness and purity of fruit (a Malivoire trait), with none of that leafy greenness that gamays sometimes exhibit. Food-friendly, and a pleasant sipper on its own - what's not to like?
3.5 Stars
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Douloufakis Femina 2015, Aegean Islands
Greece$12.75
Reading all of the critic's reviews gives a good idea of how complex and unusual this wine is, but I think David's review pretty much nails it. Certainly not an everyday sipper, but a fascinating and affordable side trip for the adventurous wine lover.
3.5 Stars
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Parker Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2015, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$19.95
If your concept of Aussie chardonnay was based upon Lindeman's Bin 65 of ten years ago or more, this would be quite the eye-opener. Fresh, clean, very food-friendly, with pear-ish fruit that is reminiscent of pinot gris, and virtually no detectable oak influence. Representing the new wave of chardonnay down under, and that's a good thing.
3.5 Stars
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Waipara Hills Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago, South Island
Central Otago, New Zealand$15.75
Very deep color for a pinot. The nose and palette veer away from the usual cherry/berry fruit spectrum into cola, beetroot and other nuances, so good complexity here. My main complaint is a fairly short finish, with a touch of bitterness. Decent value for the price, but I prefer the delicacy of a classic cool climate pinot.
3.5 Stars
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Jardin Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$21.95
This ticks all the right boxes for chardonnay: creamy, luscious citrusy fruit, a dash of butterscotch, a touch of toasty oak, and finishing with a dollop of Cape minerality. Nicely done.
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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Flat Rock Chardonnay 2015, VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Can't add much to the descriptions provided by the pros, except to say that this is yet another example of how world-class chardonnay is being produced here in Ontario, and being marketed at a very reasonable and competitive price.
3.5 Stars
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