Michael Loken

Antico Sigillo Primitivo Di Manduria 2013, Dop

Rib Shack Vintage Blend 2015

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, California

Initial impressions were tainted by a strong smell of rubber or plastic which faded the longer the wine was open. After breathing, the profile then became strongly over-oaked; with heavy vanilla, coffee and tea aromas. This wine lacked elegance and just came off heavy handed.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, May 2016.

Cottage Block Sauvignon Blanc Riesling 2012, Niagara Peninsula

Completely unsurprising, but entirely drinkable. The wine was fresh and light, but had no strong notes dominating the flavour.

Tedeschi Capitel Dei Nicalo Appassimento 2012

Easy drinking, soft on the palette. Not a big nose, but nice enough with some dark red fruit smells.

Wyndham Estate Bin 444 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Southeastern Australia

This was given to us by a friend, who was surely impressed by the fancy "Bin 444" label. Unfortunately, this wine is weak and extremely forgettable. A red wine for people who really don't like big flavour.

Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, California

A bottle that attracts many with the label, the wine is completely...average.

1951 Rotary Club Unoaked Chardonnay 2012

As one of my friends describes it: this is airplane wine. Completely forgettable, but drinkable.

Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Castilla León, Spain

For a wine that was served at a banquet, we got more than expected. Definitely Spanish in style with emphasis on the fruit – but it lacked the depth and complexity of a high quality wine.

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin Zinfandel 2013, Lodi

A nice Californian Zin - not overly sweetened and a generous amount of heat, spice and dark berry flavours. Not as complex as some higher end examples - but good value for the money.