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.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2011, Igt Toscana

Full of black currants and plums, the wine presents a full nose, with moderate intensity and length. Drank well on its own.

Teusner The Independent Shiraz/Mataro 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This wine is all about big fruit. It is dark and luscious with strong flavours of, well, grapes. There are also cassis, plum and a hint of chocolate on offer. What was missing was the spice and earthiness that I personally crave.

Lamole Di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, Docg

This wine had a very firm flavour profile that opened up nicely while tasting. Full of dark fruit flavours, it was quite pleasing overall

Tasted blind in March 2015 at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club Event.

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2011, Docg

This wine was excellent with a full, earthy flavour profile with a balsamic note. The aroma was full of dark stone fruits, particularly plums. The finish on this wine was nice and long, and I went back for more at the end of the tasting.

Tasted blind in March 2015 at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event.

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2012, South Australia

What a powerful wine. Warm, full and complex with notes of cassis, vanilla, oak, chocolate and baking spices. This wine will only get better with age, but was remarkably approachable now.

Rustenberg Merlot 2010, Wo Stellenbosch

I thought this was an excellent wine. Presenting the kind of value you look for when buying a South African wine, this was big and complex. This tasted like a bordeaux with really nice tobacco, leather, sage and cedar notes. The wine opened up over time and presented a very long finish.

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.

Château Des Charmes St. David's Bench Vineyard Gamay Noir Droit 2012, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula

This was a really pleasant bottle - and for $16, I'm glad I picked up multiple. There is a very fruit forward element to this wine with ripe red/black fruits balanced by a moderate application of oak. The wine needs at least 30 minutes before really starting to open up. It is nice to see such quality coming out in a grape variety suited to the Ontario climate.

Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf Du Pape 2012, Ap