Templeton Smith

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.

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.

Carione Brunello Di Montalcino 2005

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

Superb.

Château Bégadanet 2005, Ac Médoc

On the nose this is slightly earthy, but mostly fresh with fruits. The palate is balanced. Nothing really sticks out. This is an easy-drinking Bordeaux that wasn't complex to me. Nonetheless, like all Bordeaux, it was excellent with lamb. Tasted January 2012.

Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale

Intense and excellent.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Paso Robles, California

Strong and fruity, bold up front. All the flavours at the front leaves nothing for the finish.

Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2009, Ac

On the nose there is slight minerality and earth with mostly very nice dark cherries. On the palate is it intense and the finish is long and clean. Wonderful.

Chateau De Gourgazaud 2009, Minervois

Blows my mind that this is just $13.

Good right out of the bottle with little breathing time. A very nice smoky fruity nose leads into a wonderfully balanced smoky fruity taste with herbal notes. It all ends in a smooth and long finish, that is, until you take another drink and the cycle begins again. Soft tannins, very drinkable.

Not very complex, but the experience is consistent and enjoyable all the same.

So darn good with barbeque. Tasted January 2012.

Château Pipeau 2008, Ac St émilion Grand Cru

Earthy, woody, smoky, with a very very nice finish. I wish it would linger and linger. Excellent red. Complex, reveals interesting tastes and nose as it comes down to room temperature and as it breathes. Seems to get real smoky after it breathes for a while. Tasted December 2011.