Evan Keaschuk
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Followers (2)
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Following (2)
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Reviews (182)
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Reviews
Massandra White Muscat 2009, South Coast
Ukraine, World$18.95
So much going on!! Candied orange and peach, honey, nuts, and vanilla notes on the nose. Medium bodied, it's quite round but also has lovely, refreshing acidity with a very long finish. Amazing that this can be only $16! Can't wait to try this again! Tasted April 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Rosehall Run J C R Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$29.95
While I'm often dismissive of heavily oaked chardonnay, this one really works for me. The nose is intense with the charred wood notes mingling nicely with the butter, ripe apple, pear, and mineral notes. On the palate, this wine is all about the minerality and medium-high acidity with the smoky notes coming through on the finish. The length is excellent. While it's true that oak masks some of the most desirable characteristics, the minerality that points to the County shines through. Tasted August 2013
3.5 Stars
Dr. Hermann Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2007, Prädikatswein
Mosel, Germany$18.95
This is bang-on Mosel riesling. Classic nose of lime, pear, petrol, and a bit of spice (these notes persist on the palate). Light bodied, it's incredibly well balanced with the sweetness matching perfectly with the beautiful acidity. To top it off, it has a lovely, long finish. A perfect wine to crush (8% alcohol) on one of the hottest days of the year. Tasted July 2013
3.5 Stars
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Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$23.95
This is exactly what I look for in a dry riesling. Loads of citurs and green apple notes on the nose, along with hints of petrol and honey. On the palate, the citrus shines through with a lot of minerality. The acidity is mouth-watering and it has excellent length. Exactly what I want to drink on a hot afternoon, especially considering the 11.5% alcohol. This is what dry riesling producers in Ontario should strive to produce. Tasted July 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Wo Groenekloof
South Africa$13.25
This one was really nicely done and definitely got me excited about this style of sauvignon blanc again. It has a very pronounced nose with notes of lemon, lime, grapefruit, fresh cut grass, white flowers, and minerality. On the palate, it's dry, medium bodied with medium+ acid and intensity with those same citrus and herbaceous notes, though the fruit tasted a little riper. This was an excellent bottle and incredible value, especially after the price drop. Tasted January 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Katogi Averoff 2008, Metsovo
Greece$16.95
Really digging this one! Lots of dried fruit and savoury and floral notes that I've come to expect with these old world style Greek wines (the label alone would have had me leaning this way without even a taste). On the palate, there is still a lot of lovely black fruit to go along with the excellent, refreshing acidity and light tannins. It has quite a long finish. This should be pleasing to most people, from the wine geek who wants something a little offbeat, to the person who just wants a pleasant fruity wine. Excellent value too! Tasted September 2013
3.5 Stars
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Austin Hope Family Vineyard Syrah 2010, Paso Robles
California, Usa$45.00
There is nothing subtle about this wine, but it's very nicely done. Opaque ruby in color, the nose is loaded with blackberry jam, baking spice, tar, tobacco, and smoke notes. Medium-full bodied with medium acidity and medium+ tannins, these flavours replay with the smoky/meaty flavours shining through, reminding me of the Rhone Valley very much via California. The length goes on and on. Truly an enjoyable wine, especially at the $33 price point I paid (listed at $45). Tasted May 2014.
3.5 Stars
Olim Bauda Nizza Barbera D'asti 2009, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$35.95
This is a serious step up on what most consider to be Barbera. There's loads of black cherry/berry along with vanilla and cinnamon spice and big time smokey/meaty notes on the nose. The palate is quite full-bodied with medium+ acid and tannins with high alcohol (14.5% alcohol). Everything is balanced, but this one could use another 2 years to mellow. If you're drinking now, make sure there are some grilled red meats on the table. Regardless, this is one seriously tasty wine. Tasted May 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino 2006, Docg, Unfiltered
Umbria, Italy$25.95
This is a seriously big and burly wine. Seven years old at this point, the dark black fruit, licorice, and violet notes have started to fade, though only slightly, to more leathery and savoury aromas. On the palate, the fruit dominates, while the tannins are grippy and the acidity is quite high. This one demands food, particularly steak or lamb. Was drawn to this as sangrantino typically comes in at the $35+ mark. Will be buying more of this as well as others at a much higher price. Damn fine, though be prepared for a wine that smacks you across the face. Tasted September 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Lighthall Chardonnay 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$25.00
This is nicely done, but lacks some of the characteristics of County chards that I look for. This one is big and rich with lots of ripe tropical fruit to go along with the butter and vanilla oak notes. On the palate, there's the refreshing cool climate acidity and telltale County minerality, though it's not as apparent as many other County chards. This is well done, but is lacking the complexity to put it into the 90pt range. Lovers of big ripe chards will dig this though. Tasted Sept 2013
3.5 Stars
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