Shawn McCormick
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Reviews (79)
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Passionate local wine/food supporter. Sommelier-in-training. Wine blogger. Tech guy and social media enthusiast. Chief Instigator of Uncork Ontario iPhone/iPod App (Ontario Winery Locator) in iTunes Store!
Reviews
13th Street Sandstone Old Vines Gamay Noir 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.75
This Cuvee award winner is superbly integrated, from the nose to the finish. Cherry, sweet spice, with some cedar and oak notes and a hint of alcohol on the nose. Bright acidity keeps the bold cherry fruit in check. With a decent tannic structure from 9-10 months in oak, this wine should hold together for several more years and expose even more character.
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Chardonnay 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
This is a well made and well priced Chardonnay. With ripe red apple dominating, there are light smoky, toasty notes with vanilla and spice from the oak treatment. The palate adds a nice tropical twist, and a great acidity typical of Ontario wine makes this very food friendly. This will pair nicely with your turkey dinner with all the fixings (stuffing, mashed potatoes with butter, etc.) but I really like it with my favourite turkey leftover recipe – turkey pot pie.
3.5 Stars
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Karlo Estates The Fifth Element Petit Verdot 2010, Ontario
Ontario, Canada$33.00
Petit Verdot is also rare in Ontario, and rarer in the form of a single varietal wine (it is usually blended). I had the opportunity to taste this wine twice in the barrel, and when it was finally released I grabbed some and hung onto it, waiting for a special occasion. I finally decided I couldn’t wait any longer and opened a bottle in November. The nose was sweet, rich, almost jammy plums and black cherry, with light notes of vanilla, cedar, and pencil shavings. There is a definite herbaceousness behind the dark fruit that is more noticeable on the palate – not unlike a freshly opened cigar box with cedar and tobacco notes. There’s some decent acidity rounding out this well structured wine. $39, available at the winery.
3.5 Stars
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Luccarelli Primitivo 2013, Igt Puglia
Puglia, Italy$10.95
Wow. Great value for $10.95! Light fruit notes of plum and black cherry on the nose. Slightly sweet dark fruit on the palate at first turns to balanced fruit, acidity, and soft tannins. Great sipping or with a meal.
3.5 Stars
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Schild Estate Shiraz 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$24.95
Smoky lavender & cool menthol/eucalyptus notes ride blueberry and blackberry core. Palate continues with floral, dark berry, and light black pepper and sweet spice. Not overdone, tannins in check with nice acidity to balance. Drink 2015-2018.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Les Yeuses Les épices Syrah 2011, Igp Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$15.95
Sweet, creamy berries with sweet smoke and some unusual olive and herb notes. Palate is dark cherry, white pepper, and red cherry with some grippy tannic astringency.
3.5 Stars
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Henry Of Pelham Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
Fruit filled without being jammy, the nose exudes fruit (raspberry and blackberry) and oak notes on an expressive earthy background. The wine is dry and spicy mid-palate with mocha notes above the delicious fruit. The tannins are a bit drying, the moderate acidity refreshing, and the fruit finish lingers beautifully. Superb wine to age for 5-8 years.
3.5 Stars
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Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Riesling Spätlese 2008, Wehlener Sonnenuhr
Mosel, Germany$29.95
Lovely honeyed stone fruit with hints of petrol, beeswax, and candied lemon. Viscous and luscious on palate, with some cleansing acidity that keeps it from cloying. Tasted Mar 2015
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Les Yeuses Les épices Syrah 2007, Vins De Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$15.95
Bit of funk on nose at first, then opens to menthol, creamy blueberry notes. Has a rustic, dusty feel. Palate is cassis, black cherry with light spicy notes. Very mild tannins.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Michel Goubard Mont Avril Bourgogne 2011
Burgundy, France$22.95
Quite lean Pinot reminiscent of a cool vintage from PEC. Cherry, red currant and some slightly sour notes after a medium sweet mid palate. Some earthy notes. Slightly astringent finish but good with food.
3.0 Stars
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