Michael Loken

Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf Du Pape 2012, Ap

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.

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.

Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2012, Okanagan Valley

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Good Earth Pinot Noir 2015, Niagara Peninsula