Mike Grigor

Malivoire Courtney Gamay 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench

La Vieille Ferme Red 2014, Ventoux

Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2013, Igt Toscana

A bold nose of pomegranate, bell pepper and some alcohol fumes, with hints of sawdust and a mineralaity that's suggestive of powdered rocks. On the palate it opens with slightly sour-edged blackberry and blueberry, counterpointed with a slight green herbaceousness. A lively acidity gave it some cut, but the fine tannins couldn't completely back it up, which resulted in a slight lack of intensity. This wine was accompaniment to a grilled steak, rare, topped with sauteed morel mushrooms and shallot, paired with roasted carrots and beets, and it struggled to stand up to it.

E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône 2011

Floral on the nose with hints of cigar box, basil and mineral notes. Bright acid, cherry, bell pepper, clove and black pepper. Medium tannin and a warm, med to long finish.

Tasted Apr.2/2016

Domaine La Vitalis Cairanne 2013, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages

This is a very pleasing wine to drink. Notes of dusty cherries, white pepper, basil leaf and chalk give this a slightly savoury nose. On the palate it's fresh and ripe with some darker notes on the back end. Think ripe red berries, rhubarb, tomato leaf along with herbs you'd associate with tomato sauce. Theres a gentle bitterness akin to the skins of red peppers and some nice warm peppery notes. Med + body and good length.

Famille Perrin Côtes Du Rhone Réserve 2013, Ac Côtes Du Rhône

Cassis, cigar box and graphite on the nose. White pepper opens for an encore of black currant up front, with an herbaceous note, hinting at thyme tucked in behind. Gentle tannin balance nicely with it's soft acidity. Slightly better than medium length on the warm finish. A no frills, no gimmicks CdR that performs at, or just slightly above it's pay grade, representing decent value.

Tasted Apr. 2016

Blu Giovello Prosecco, Italy Doc

Calamus Cabernet/Merlot 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Calamus Cosmic Red 2012, Niagara Peninsula

Kellermeister The Funk Wagon G S M 2011

The nose is bursting with ripe, fresh picked fall raspberry, with hints of white pepper and cedar tucked in behind. There is a breif glimmer of the berry mirrored from the nose, before the palette is dominated with fresh ground black pepper with whispers of smoke and leather. The 14.5%abv makes itself known by adding some heat to the long finish. Medium + body, good balance.