Michael Loken

Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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.

Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir 2015, VQA Ontario

Quinta Das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional 2011, Doc Douro

Lovely and full wine with aromas of vanilla, lavender and black fruit. Soft on the palette with a very long finish. This wine will be even better in a few years, but is very enjoyable right now.

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Santa Ynez Valley

An excellent California wine displaying the signature traits expected - a hot, full wine with a generous amount of oak. This was a nice treat, and would pair well with anything on the grill.

Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir 2014, VQA Ontario

This might be the best bottle of Ontario wine I have ever tasted. It was superbly deep and complex with earthy, blackberry overtones. The length was excellent, and all around the table fought over the last drops in the bottle.

Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2012, Okanagan Valley

Chapoutier Les Grands Merisiers 2014, Chateauneuf Du Pape

Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia

A couple more years seems to have smoothed out this bottle a bit. It was still powerful and deep - as you would expect from Barossa - but was also pretty silky on the tongue. Black currants, mineral, oak spice and enough tannins to ago for a while more.