Ian Hawley

Domaine Pierre Gelin Fixin 2006, Ac

A splendid example of a Cote-d Or burgundy. Once decanted aromas of earthy barnyard emerged (a looked-for, like diesel aromas in a riesling), along with chalky if not dusty limestone, sour and dark cherry. To the taste it had some spiciness. It matched well with lamb chops (cooked 1/2 butter and olive oil with rosemary, tarragon, mint, and a sprinkle of fennel). The protein softened the acid-tannins perfectly. The wine demanded to be savoured; ready now and for a few more years.

Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley

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.

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+.

Dr. Hermann Riesling Kabinett 2008, ürziger Würzgarten

This is liquid sunshine - bright, sprightly, rich, opulent, with more than a hint of the looked-for diesel aroma. The slate minerality comes through and offers an acid backbone to all the rich fruitiness. All told a well made wine but for my taste a tad overly sweet (but still consistent with many kabinetts). Drink as an apertif as the sweetness would tend to overwhelm most foods, except perhaps certain Thai dishes.

Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2010, Vinho Regional Minho

Highly aromatic with lime tree scents. To the taste it is light, spritely, and full of lime essence flavour. Not really a patio sipper on its own. John's suggestion of matching with pad Thai, or other spicy seafood dishes, resonates..

Viña Casablanca El Bosque Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley

I did not like this wine. It was overly alcoholic (14.5%), too acidic, and overly oaked (and I like an oaked chardonnay). Not even food could save it. Mind you, we finished the bottle but it took us three days. Why the seemingly incongruous number score? At $15, what can you ask or expect?

Morse Code Shiraz 2008, Padthaway

Another gimmicky label from Australia designed to catch the eye of the hopeful consumer. But hey, its $13, so how can you go too wrong? The label fails to provide any information or make any claims other than the grape and year. The wine had, for me, an immediate rubber smell (possibly from hoses used in the production process) and was overly acidic (added tartaric acid?) rather than tannic. The rubber smell lifted into dark berry fruit. To sum, it is simplistic industrial grade effort. Give it a pass.

Carl Reh Riesling Kabinett 2008, Mosel

Notwithstanding the $11 price tag, this pale, acerbic, thin, and somewhat chemically effort is a disappointment. The vines must be young, indeed too young to make wine, as the taste was green, the fruit and viscosity thin, and overly acidic, along with some unpleasant sulphur aromas that never seemed to blow off. Never again....