Ian Hawley

Pirramimma Shiraz 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

This wine is luscious with layers and layers of dark red fruit. Not your one dimensional Aussie fruit bomb - the complexity demands one savour it. I bought 3 - tried the one and am letting the other two evolve for a couple to three years. Its an essentially hot climate wine so I doubt there would be anything to gain by letting it age longer. Great with any red meat dish. Its a real treat both intrinsically and because it exceeds expectations.

Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg Riesling Auslese 2007, Qmp

I love an Auslese and this one is no exception. The dominate aromas are pear, followed by peach and apricot, with an ever so subtle scent of diesel to reveal its complexity and roots. The apparent sweetness was balanced by a subtle underlying Mosel acidity that gave one the impression of liquid opulence. However, it seemed a tad tired and I have the distinct impression its in its fading stages. So sad really - I can imagine a blockbuster had I drunk it in 2009.

Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mclaren Vale

This is a complex multi-layered wine that offers up wave after wave of dark and dried fruit, notably cassis, black cherry that transforms into dark plum. The initial strong and deep fruit is then overpowered by a tsunami of fuzzy tannin, itself infused with this fruit. Just now the wine demands to be drunk with food such as ossu bucco, lamb, or other strongish meat dishes. This wine needs to sleep a few more years (until 2013+) before the true balance and taste complexities coalesce into a plush wine experience.

Masi Brolo Di Campofiorin 2006, Igt Rosso Del Veronese

Help, I've been robbed! Just because its a Masi doesn't make it good or good value. The wine came across as thin, in stark contrast to expectations of dried grapes as the main input. There were notes of cherry and leather but they were quite subdued. The wine was fairly acidic, not something I look for in a red wine. The tannins held their own against the meat pasta dish. In my view there are plenty of better value wines. Sign me, Grumpy Grape

Domaine Belle Les Pierrelles Crozes Hermitage 2007, Ac

I chased after this wine on Saturday morning and eventually snagged 3 bottles. I find it a beautiful contrast to the furry chewy shiraz wines of Australia or the more astringent cousins in Chile. This 2007 has finesse, depth, and layers of fruit, notably bing cherry and a hint of liquorice. It is a gentleman's shiraz, in other words, a true and thoughtful Rhone syrah.

Montirius Garrigues Vacqueyras 2009, Ac

When I uncorked this at the end of Feb. I said Oh Oh. The long cork told me I may have opened it too soon. Alone it was a tad astringent, calling for a meat dish match, and introverted - give it a chance to grow up! All that said, the rack of lamb paired well, easing the tannins and allowing the showing of lush blueberry, black cherry, and blackberry. Delicious!

Pfeffingen Scheurebe Spätlese 2008, Qmp, Ungsteiner Herrenberg

Every now and again I get a hankering for a German kabinet quality wine. This spatlese scheurebe is rare and at $20 turned out to be terrific value. Overall impression is one of sweetness, with robust aromas of tropical fruit, apricot, and honey. The subdued acidity could be accounted for by the tartaric acid crystals. In a word: "Yummy". It went well with smoked salmon and gouda cheese appetizers, and could stand alone as a dessert wine. I gave it a 90 because I am a sucker for this style of wine and the uniqueness grabbed me too.

Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley

Trio Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Cabernet Franc 2008

Guilty! I drank this at least two years too soon. Mais néamoins, what a splendid experience. The wine is dense, chewy even, with loads of cassis (wild blackberry version), plums, and cranberry. This is the red wine deal of 2010-11, bien sur. One regret - I don't have more stashed away for 2013+.

Cono Sur Visión Single Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2010, Las Colmenas, Casablanca Valley

This was a surprising treat from the new world, Chile no less. The wine exhibited some effervescence which will make it an ideal refreshing summer wine. Fruit was predominantly peaches that coated the mouth. The wine is well made, clean, crisp, and very good value and a nice change from the Alsace bulk gewurtzs. Chile seems to have held off making wine from premature vines unlike some of its Ontario counterparts. I put this dig in because I've been burned by too many VQAs made from such grapes.