Templeton Smith

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.

Errazuriz Max Reserva Shiraz 2008, Aconcagua Valley

A powerful nose leads into a very fruity, almost sweet palate. The finish is a tad hot but smooths out eventually. Absolutely wonderful with steak. A very enjoyable wine.

Castillo De Monseran Garnacha 2010, Carinena

Too young. Not drinkable except for a party you don't care about. A table wine priced as a table wine.

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia

The finish is so bitter it's like an old tea that's seeped too long. The nose is excellent but strong. Taste is nice for a split second but goes right into the finish. The longer it lingers the more you wish you were drinking water instead.

Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc, Veneto

Steel tones.

Initial very nice fruit and cherry nose, and similar fruity taste, unfortunately gives way to overwhelming minerality at the finish. A long and enduring steely finish is too much for me. The alcohol is hot and uncomfortable. Massive dissapointment. Tasted December 2011.

Poderi Angelini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008

Excellent wine. This is done appassimento style, like Amarone, which is to say the grapes are dried and concentrated by the time they are squeezed out. Szabo's on the mark.

Vinos Sin Ley Puerta Bonita Garnacha 2007, Do Vinos De Madrid

For $20, this wine punches high above its weight. Needs to breathe, good lip smacking finish. Intense fruits on the palate. . Two years have passed and this Grenache has aged well. Tasted November 2011.

Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Doc

Not a tasty Amarone. Too clean and simple. Just not a great vintage, this bottle does not compare well to the 2006. Tasted October 2011.

Lailey Vidal Late Harvest 2006, Ontario

Very nice late harvest. Tasty, just sweet enough, clean. Love it.

Bottega Petalo Il Vino Dell'amore Moscato

Easy drinking, very good. Not much on the nose.