Templeton Smith

Clos Du Calvaire Châteauneuf Du Pape 2009

Fruity nose. In the mouth it's herbal and fruity w cherries, nice. Finish has some cocoa and minerals. Not impressed but not bad either.

Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

This pinot has a very fruity nose of lychee and fresh fruits. Reminded me of the nose you get in Inniskillin's icewine. The palate is again fresh with some citrus and good acidity. The finish is not long. There's no sense of terroir or earthiness. This is all new world pinot, clean and intense. Tasted January 2012

Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2008, Ac

As the winealign critics say, this is an excellent wine. Intense and yummy with good complexity to boot.

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2009

Modern is right -- overly powerful on the palate with a light finish. Not a classy wine. This is what sangiovese would taste like if it was made in california.

Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley (500ml)

All the usual hallmarks of a 20 year old port are there: the butterscotch, honey, apricot and toffee. The aroma is heavy on alcohol and not quite as fresh as, say, a Taylor. On the palate the port does, as the reviewer above notes, have a bite fresh out of the bottle. This goes away after a day. A nice port, but not better than a Taylor.

Batasiolo Barolo 2007, Piedmont, Italy

Carione Brunello Di Montalcino 2005

Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008, VQA Niagara On The Lake

A good Riesling, apple tones, somewhat sweet. Not excellent and the value is questionable. Good typicity.

Argiolas Costera 2009, Doc Cannonau Di Sardegna

A well balanced and just-complex-enough Grenache. Not a very noticeable nose, it's light and doesn't give away much. The palate is dark, cooked cherries and blackcurrants. It's got a hint of citrus, lemon, cocoa with minerality. Nonetheless it is overall very strong on condensed fruit with a nice finish. Very good to excellent. Tasted December 2011.

Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewürztraminer 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Cave Spring Vineyard

Superb.