Robert Kischuk

Monte Antico 2008, Igt Toscana

SuperTuscan 'LITE'?
Tastes like a good table Chianti, with some extra body from the CS/M and quite a heft of acidity.
Flavorful, refreshing, and goes great with our simple pasta lunch.
Ten dollars cheaper than my favorite Chianti, hence great value

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.

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.

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.

Solar De Castro Vendimia Seleccionada 2009, Doca Rioja

Pretty solid for 15 bucks...wish I let it sit for a year or two.

Les Halos De Jupiter Côtes Du Rhône 2010, Ac

The consensus sounds right...not sure if I will buy a case as RPJ suggests, but if I get a few more I will cellar them a year or 2.

Amazing for $18.

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! :) )

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

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island

One of those 'essentials' which every LCBO seems to carry. I like to grab one or two of these (from almost anywhere) when heading to the lake. Everybody likes it.