Templeton Smith

Château Rahoul 2005, Ac Graves

This is a very nice Bordeaux a la Szabo's review. I don't sense any smokiness or much earthiness on the nose, so in that sense it's not very strong. Instead the nose is fruity. The palate, however, is typical Bordeaux: earthy, meaty, and just enough dark cherry intensity with a good finish. $25 for a six to seven year old Bordeaux that is quite typical, is a great value. Tasted February 2012.

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

Superb.

Perrin & Fils Les Sinards Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Rhône Valley

Chocolatey, good typicity. Tasty. Finish is a bit unrefined at this price point.

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.

Château Hauchat 2009, Ac Fronsac

Good value. A very nice fruity nose. Some cherry and a short-medium finish. Not earthy nor complex, so look elsewhere if that's your thing. Runs a bit hot at the end, alcoholic. A simple Bordeaux. Tasted December 2011.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale

Intense and excellent.