Mark Britton
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Reviews (65)
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There are thousands of wine blogs out there and thousands more if you include blogs on spirits and beer. Why is that? Well because wine is a fascinating subject with a broad and expanding consumer base. If you study wine you learn about wine, culture, language, geography, business, viticulture, viniculture, weather systems, terroir, history... the list goes on. So there is plenty to write about and always more to learn.
What I do on towineman is nothing earth shattering. I don't claim to know any more than the hundreds of thousands of "wine experts" that exist. However I absolutely love the subject and I absolutely love drinking the products. That passion will come across in what I envision to be good and honest writing on a subject I enjoy.
I am WSET educated to the advanced level and will continue to learn wine and spirits at every opportunity. However I don't plan on overcomplicating the subject to the point of it being intolerable. At the end of the day I am a wine consumer like everyone else. With that perspective at the forefront my goal is, with a Canadian focus (Ontario mainly), to make your experience of wine, spirits, and beer more enjoyable. Simple.
I hope you enjoy.
- Mark
Reviews
Grant Burge Summers Chardonnay 2010, Adelaide Hills/Eden Valley, South Australia
Australia$19.95
Look out for Australian Chardonnay's over the next few years starting with this Grant Burge. Now a general list at the LCBO. Some sour notes but balanced with med-high acidity and ripe lemon and apple flavours. Great old world style Chardonnay.
3.5 Stars
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Henry Of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$24.95
2010 was a great year and this is one of the finest Baco's produced by HOP and in Niagara in general. It is smokey on the nose, but rich and elegant on the palate. It is much more complex than the Baco's from 2007-2009 and as such will age well for 2-4 years at least. An age worthy Baco at $25? That's a good buy.
3.5 Stars
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Trius Merlot 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
This is a full bodied merlot from what the Hillebrand rep called "The best vintage in Niagara… ever." It held up well to a Ribeye steak and could be a great food wine or even a sipper. Great value here at $14.95.
3.5 Stars
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Viña Maipo Gran Devócion Carmenère/Syrah 2009, Maule Valley
Maule Valley, Chile$0.00
I loved this wine. An absolute steal at $16.95. The Syrah balances out the peppery spice of the Carmenere to produce a truly elegant wine. The carmenere blends could be the next great wines to come out of Chile.
3.0 Stars
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Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$20.79
It's a basic cab sauv loaded with fruit, but the tannins are aggressive and overpowering. My tasting notes actually say "should have been so much better." But it's certainly a nice wine, just not as good as you would expect from a Gran Reserva from the Maipo Valley.
3.0 Stars
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Rosehall Run Liberated 2011, Ontario
Ontario, Canada$14.95
This is the 2011 white wine launched by Rosehall Run and catered to the mainstream. It will however appeal to that mainstream. Pale lemon in colour it shows nice peach and a surprisingly long finish, while being very easy drinking and a great summer wine. Buy now or wait until summer, 2013.
3.0 Stars
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Catena Malbec 2009, Mendoza
Argentina$19.95
As Malbec's go this one is worth the price and is a staple at the LCBO. Rich fruit, ripe tannins, and well balanced. Catena is an exceptional producer and even at the low end of their line you can't really go wrong.
3.0 Stars
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Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$19.95
Catena is one of the best producers in Argentina and this version of their Cab Sauv almost comes across as a classic Napa Valley version. Heavy oak on the nose and palate and spicy with classic hints of blackberry, cassis, and blackcurrant. The only difference was this wine actually showed quite mild and soft tannins for a big cab... which personally I am not against in the least.
3.0 Stars
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Pérez Cruz Limited Edition Syrah 2009, Maipo Alto, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$19.95
If you haven't tried a Chilean syrah you are missing out as they are without a doubt an up and coming country for syrah. This one is fantastic. In a value region like Chile you may consider $19.95 to be a bit high but this one is worth the buy. Ripe black fruit and tannins rich enough that this could still lie down for a few years.
3.0 Stars
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Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Curicó Valley
Curicó Valley, Chile$19.95
This an excellent cab sauv from the Colchagua Valley in Chile. The tannins are well integrated with the black fruit. It needs a nice red meat pairing and I would recommend decanting for at least 30 mins.
3.0 Stars
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