Michael Loken

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.

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Sonoma County

The nose on this wine showed some cooler notes, with flavours of licorice and smoke in the background. There was also a bit of a paper-like note that dissipated over time. Overall, a bit unremarkable.

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

Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Wo Stellenbosch

Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2011, Wo Stellenbosch

Beautifully balanced, showing all the notes expected from a warm climate Syrah.

Clos Du Soleil Signature Red 2013, British Columbia

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2013, Clare Valley, South Australia

Remo Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Docg

Really quite excellent. Amarones have a tendency to be overly sweet, but this wine was balanced with a nice level of tannins to leave the palette somewhat refreshed and not overwhelmed. A really nice expression of the grapes which made everyone go for another glass.

Potente 2016, Do Montsant

Molino Di Sant'antimo Paolus Brunello Di Montalcino 2010, Docg

Very light in colour, with a garnet tinge. Floral aromas with a hint of leather. Wine was mouth coating, but all the flavours had not integrated yet. Look forward to trying this again in a few years (tasted at Jake’s, Nov 2017)