Michael Loken

Château De Nages J T Costières De Nîmes 2012, Ac

This wine hit above its price point. It was fruity, warm, complex and had a very long finish. The overall feeling when drinking this wine, however, was how composed and sophisticated it was. IT was smooth and easy to drink. A lovely wine when paired with a steak. A shame I only had one.

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.

Avignonesi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2011, Docg

Ruby red going to pink on the edges, the aroma displayed notes of cherry and red fruits. The wine was pleasant enough, but does not justify the price.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak and Burgundy club event, Jan. 2015.

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.

Castello Di Neive Barbaresco 2011, Docg

Excellent wine, and very pleased that this is a regular list item at a reasonable price. The taste is rustic with lovely wood notes and a dry finish. This definitely needs a bit of time to open up, but if allowed, this wine will reward with flavours of currants, dried flowers and savory spices.

Alsace Willm Gewurztraminer 2013, Ac Alsace

This wine was well balanced and composed. In a blind tasting of 6 Gewürztraminers, it came off as one of the more elegant bottles. It has a lovely brightness to it, and a long finish with a bit of spice (white pepper?).

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, September 2015.

Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Malbec Corvina 2013, Mendoza

Mullineux Kloof Street Red 2014

Complex, earthly with strong pepper notes expected from the shiraz component. A powerful wine that holds it all together with elegance - and a bargain at the price.

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2011, Pyrenees

A little bit of age seems to have helped this wine. It is a mix of styles and flavours; big on the palette like you expect from a typical Australian wine, but with secondary aromas of cedar and earth expected from old world wines. It shows a pleasing level of complexity, but doesn't deserve a higher score as for the price the depth and length should have been greater.

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Vieilles Vignes Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2012, Ac