Michael Loken

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Carmenère 2010, Rapel Valley

This wine was reasonably well balanced with strong tannins and aromas of dark fruits.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, November 2014.

Trapiche Reserve Syrah 2013, Mendoza

This wine was a bit of a surprise. I picked it up as a backup bottle for a dinner party where we only drank wine from Argentina, and it turned out to be the favourite wine of the night. The strong black pepper on the nose and the good finish stacked up very well against the more expensive bottles of Malbec served. A bargain at the price.

Finca Los Alijares Graciano 2009, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla

A very interesting wine that showed a profile I would not normally associate with Spanish wines. The flavour was tight and controlled with blackberries, cassis and hints of black licorice. The tannins were quite firm, and the finish was pleasingly dry. This wine was almost Italian in style.

Villa Ponciago Beaujolais Villages 2012, Ac

Light, fruity and refreshing. This wine is excellent for summer drinking, but as indicated by a number of reviewers - it needs a bit of time to open up.

Purchased at the LCBO when it was discontinued - for less than $7 this is an absolute steal.

Montgras Antu Carmenere 2015, Santa Cruz

Deu La Deu Alvarinho 2014, Monção E Melgaço, Doc Vinho Verde

Fielding Red Conception 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is one of the better bottles of Ontario red I have ever had. It is full bodied, smoky and slightly meaty. It is a wine suited well to evenings outside by the BBQ, and is reminiscent of high quality South African wines. I bought another bottle immediately after drinking the first.

Figuero Tinto 4 Tempranillo 2012

Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2013

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.