Michael Loken

Checkmate Silent Bishop Merlot 2013, Okanagan Valley

Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Puento Alto

This wine developed a great deal while sitting open during the tasting. It has a long, earthy finish, and represents one of the best Chilean reds I have tasted.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy club event - November 2014

Château Léoville Barton 2009, Ac St Julien

Unfortunately, this wine did not have enough time open to fully develop before it all disappeared! The wine was very well balanced, showing the quality of the 2009 vintage. Notes of tobacco and cassis lead to a significant sense of terroir. This was a really robust wine that was exceptionally satisfying to drink.

Dalva Colheita Port 1995, Bottled 2020, Doc, Portugal

Truly excellent value. It is hard to imagine paying such a low price for a product that has been aged for 20 years. The flavour profile is full of baking spices, caramel, tobacco and leather. the colours is a beautiful amber with hints of garnet. Fantastic value, and a real treat for those who have not tasted tawny port before.

Domaine Acer Charles Aimé Robert 10 Year

A very unique wine, and worth the price to try - but it was not the crowd favourite we hoped for. The wine was overly sweet for those sharing in the bottle. One friend described it as "maple syrup port, but lacking that depth and richness of port that makes it so good."

Very happy we tried it, and it will be incredible for some...just not us.

John's Blend Individual Selection No. 35 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Langhorne Creek, South Australia

Masciarelli Villa Gemma 2004, Doc Montepulciano D’abruzzo

Extremely dark in colour with some sediment in the glass. Very rich in taste with notes of chocolate, black currents and wood. The finish was long and displayed the complexity of the wine.

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

Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Dop, Portugal

The port has a lovely brown tawny colour, and the taste is lovely at the start. However, the aftertaste did not suit me. Not my favourite for a 10 year old port.

Privato Tesoro Pinot Noir Woodward Collection 2014, Okanagan Valley

A nice wine for a summer evening. Well put together, with strong red fruit flavours. Unfortunately, it lacks the depth to make it memorable.

The Good Wine Cabernet Franc 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore

This wine was just a bit too much on the green, herbaceous side for my tastes. The flavour profile showed green bell peppers mixed in with oak. The flavour profile could change with time, but I'm not certain.

Tasted Blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, April 2015.