Robert Kischuk

Möet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Vintage Brut Champagne 2003

After the relatively 'easy-drinking' and superb 2002, the 2003 will hit you like a bag a bricks. Loads of challenging flavors (which are described by the pros).
A 'champagne for food' if the budget allows; but will need aging++ before it gets the room buzzing as an aperitif.
Cristal is still the better 'blow the budget' choice (as is Krug if you love toast).
PS I tried the Ace of Spades...leave it for the people who are paid to promote it...

Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A local premium Chard that's easily worth the price. DL 'says it all', and I'm noting a late palate sense of pineapple cream. It is ridiculously good.

Château De Beaucastel Châteauneuf Du Pape 2009

Went toe-to-toe against the Penfolds Bin 138 2009, and came out the winner based on floral/aromatic nuances, perfect structure, and infinite finish. (Although Bin 138 did win the value category, but not by much).

Sometimes you DO get what you pay for...this is one of those times.

A 'special occasion' CdP that won't disappoint.

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench

Stunning complexity and acidity; oaking is deliciously subtle.

I dream that CJ makes a blanc de blanc methode champenoise from this type of chard vintage...would blow Salon-style B de B out of the water.

Love this!

Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Tasted as a 'new world CdP' against a vintage-matched Beaucastel.
It did very well, with bright fruit and a slightly harder tannic edge. Well-liked by all.

Easily worth the price esp c/w the CdP.

Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010, Wo Stellenbosch

Agree with DL on this one.
Acrid sulfer notes; disagreeable; not enough fruit/aroma character to make my amateur palate want more than a couple sips.
Will cellar my second bottle for a couple years and see if it improves as JS suggests.

Update: Blair makes me wonder if my bottle was 'off'. Will give my second bottle a year or two and try again.

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008, Grampians/Bendigo, Victoria

Oz Shiraz for a person who turned away from over-the-top Oz Shiraz in the 90's (ie me).
Seppelt can thank WineAlign for a new fan...I would never have bothered trying it otherwise.

Amarone Classico Sartori Corte Bra 2004

Very nice for what it is.

I wish my brain didn't say 'Vintage Port Table Wine' every time I have a good Amarone...would make it easier to enjoy.

Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay 2010, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula

JS nails it...the oak is VERY subdued, which allows the wildly interesting and fun fruit/mineral flavors to have their say.
I will be getting more of this.
Lovely wine; makes me proud to be a local.

Pannon Tokaj 3 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2005 (500ml)

Another great discovery thanks to winealign and DL.
A nice bottle to 'test' beside the local late-harvest dessert offerings (and at 500 ml is actually at a $16-ish price point for 375 ml).