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
Cono Sur Merlot Rose 2011
Chile$7.95
A fairly nice Rose that is loaded with red fruit. The first few sips are really nice, but it becomes a bit sweet beyond that despite being technically a dry wine. Still a nice entry level Rose.
3.0 Stars
(0)A
Kaiken Malbec Rosé 2011, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$11.25
I like the Kaiken line as well as the Chilean sister company Montes. But this Rose didn't meat my lofty expectations. It's dry but you would never know it as it is loaded with Strawberry on the nose and palate and it's quite overpowering.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Michel Torino Don David Finca La Primavera #3 Torrontes 2011, Cafayate Valley, Salta
Salta, Argentina$14.25
This is a nice Torrontes but you can find better examples of the flagship white of Argentina. Even still this one shows great floral and tropical fruit notes and would be an excellent summer wine. Likely not worth the $16.95 but pretty close.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve 2010, San Juan
Argentina$13.95
With a little bit of soft cherry on the nose and little bit more on the palate this is a very approachable wine. However it lacks in tannin and overall complexity and the alcohol is a bit hot for me. Not bad for $11.95 but with the quality of value priced wines coming from Argentina you can do better even at that price point.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Tilia Malbec 2010, Mendoza
Argentina$12.95
Fantastic value in this malbec at $12.95. A great bodega on the Eastern side of Mendoza, the malbec capital of the world. Rich black fruit, soft balanced tannins, and beautiful deep Ruby (almost blue) colour. A great steak wine, but could also be enjoyed with burgers or BBQ meats.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Zuccardi Organica Malbec Rosé 2011, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$13.95
I love Malbec and apparently I love Malbec Rose. This wine starts with a nice Ruby Red colour which is more red wine than many other rose's out there. It shows nice concentrated fruit juice flavours of Cranberry and Raspberry well integrated with nice acidity and a decently long finish on the palate. For those who think rose is too sweet, or won't try it because they are "red wine drinkers" this could be a good option for you.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Chakana Yaguareté Collection Bonarda 2010, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$12.95
I continue to be impressed with the Bonarda wines coming out of Argentina and these are going to be important wines in the years to come. This one also impresses with rice red fruit and a long finish. Easily a sipping wine for virtually any occasion.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Southbrook Connect Red 2011, Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$17.95
I found this to be a black cherry bomb on both the nose and the palate with slight hints of vanilla... but only slight. I also found the wine to be overly sour which lingered into a decently long finish. To me this is a food wine, not a sipping wine, but likely wouldn't make my top recommendations list.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Eastdell Black Cab 2009, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$13.95
This wine is mouthwatering to say the least. Rich with black fruit and well balanced. The Cab Franc is well represented and shows well in this wine especially for those who don't like 100% cab franc wines (yours truly). A good value for a good wine.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Callia Alta Malbec 2011, San Juan
Argentina$10.90
Another quality Malbec at an affordable price. $10.95. This wine is more fruit forward than most Malbecs and as a result has softer tannins.
3.0 Stars
(0)G