Robert Kischuk

Lan Crianza 2008, Doca Rioja

Burnt garnet color, enticing pepper and dried fruit aroma, then a fairly restrained fruit and tannin mouthfeel. Alcohol noticeable. Fades pretty quickly.

A decent light Rioja for casual tapas, but not a premium example.

Selected by our group leader as a typical dry red.

Gray Monk Pinot Blanc 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

The liveliness and citrus acidity make this very close to a Marlborough SB in appeal. Same price point too.

Wish I had a good NZ SB nearby to do a quick 'horizontal. (Go Canada! :) )

Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2011, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia

I'm with DL on this; his description matches my experience.

I brought this to my tasting group as an example of a variation of the Muscat idiom. (And to sample a Nova Scotia (!) wine).
I enjoyed it, as did the people beside me. However, some of the group thought it was awful, so were had a hung jury.

It is definitely a conversation starter (and became somewhat controversial), but we did all agree that the price point is too high, regardless of the affection/revulsion it generates.

Château Fonréaud 2005, Ac Listrac Médoc

Waited as advised; glad I did.
JS describes it nicely. Still a bit firm, but very palatable with grilled tenderloin.
Kinda wish I had bought a few more at the time..a very nice sub-35 LB Bord.

Sept 2012

Carpineto Chianti Classico 2010

Agree with the pros.

The feature that stood out was the slightly bitter tannic turn near the end of the taste.

I imagine this might mellow in a year or two.

Domaine De Viaud 2001, Ac Lalande De Pomerol

The 'curious newbie' mentioned by The V panel might wonder why people fuss over Bordeaux at all. Not a bad experience, but I'm agreeing with Blair: probably not worth the 27 bucks to try.

Blue Rock Baby Blue Proprietary Red 2008, Alexander Valley, Sonoma

Well-received as a 'new world' red blend by the group; generous fruit, full tannins, balanced acidity etc. However there were gasps at the price. Leader suggested a ten dollar premium seems to be added to any decent Alexander Valley product.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2011, Colchagua Valley

Shockingly good value. Tasted great with Lobster cakes in a restaurant. Impossible to go wrong for this price.

Note...the 'cono sur' pun is a bit silly...

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Paso Robles

Agree w DL.

This was the 'best' on a very limited hotel room service menu, but fit the bill adequately for what was required. Huge mark up tho... :(

Château Tronquoy Lalande 2004, Ac St Estèphe

Smells like a petting zoo coming out of the bottle, but 30 minutes later it settles into a dry, dusty, slightly mahogany-tinged, pretty-good bordeaux.

Group tested as an example of early-mid aging of a decent red.

Price seems right.