Michael Loken

D'angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2010, Doc Basilicata

Dry and dusty with flavours of cedar, tobacco and mineral earth, this is a really interesting wine. The dry finish was not overpowering for people around my dinner table, but it could be unappealing if you don't like dry reds. A great bottle for fans of rustic, Italian wines.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2013

A consistent solid buy, particularly as it goes regularly on sale for $2 off. A rich, full flavoured malbec with notes of chocolate, spices and black fruits. A bottle I regularly keep in the cellar.

Famille Perrin La Gille Gigondas 2012, Ac

The experience of this wine was dominated by a saline, salt water character that that overpowered the other flavours and aromas involved. No one who tasted the bottle had ever sampled a wine with this type of flavour profile. Not a wine I would drink again.

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Langhorne Creek

Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec 2011, Mendoza

Although the deep purple colour and oak on the nose gave indications as to what to expect, this was not a stereotypical Malbec. The structure of the wine was tight, and very Italian in feel. This was a more restrained, elegant wine compared to others of the same type.

Podere La Vigna Brunello Di Montalcino 2008

This one comes off a bit funky with barnyard notes on the nose. The taste had notes of cedar, and bell peppers.

Tasted blind in March 2015 at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event.

Anselmann Edesheimer Ordensgut Weissburgunder Kabinett Trocken 2012, Pradikätswein

Crisp and clean, this wine has a distinct aroma of pears and green apples. The taste is relatively light, but well balanced with a good finish. This is a well constructed and elegant wine; composed and controlled.

Abelis Carthago William Selection Crianza 2011, Do Toro

Big and powerful, this wine poured a deep purple, with no visual hints of age. Paired with lamb, it sang - but with the amount of noticable tannins it could have sat for another 10 years (drank Sept 28, 2019 at camp).

Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2012, Ac

This wine was really excellent with spicy pepper notes and ripe dark fruit flavours. The wine is quite warming with its higher alcohol content, but it was presented in a very controlled way. Extremely enjoyable.

Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

There were no surprises here - this was a wine full of wood and spice notes, with a good depth of flavour and a dusty, drier finish. Expect aromas of cedar, sandalwood, cassis, pepper and dried herbs. This was good value for an aged wine bought from the LCBO that can be opened right away.