02
Jan
2019
- Details
-
Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again
(September 26, 2017) ... Andre and I sat down, talked old wine and this is what happened - you can also listen to it here:
Chateau des Charmes 2002 Cabernet Franc, St. David's Bench ... Sadly this one was corked, and no original review exists in my database.
Chateau des Charmes 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, St. David's Bench ... Showed much better than the Franc above, can't get much worse than corked, this one is all leather, cocoa, earthy, smoky, dried dark fruit, and more leather - there's a suppleness to the finish that makes this one quite interesting. original review here
Chateau des Charmed 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul Bosc Vineyard ... This is the opposite side of the road vineyard and it has a totally different taste, though it was made the exact same way. Smoky, cedar, along with blue and black fruit plus some earthiness (call it forest floor) and aggressive tannins with some herbal, cinnamon and vanilla on the finish. original review here
Southbrook 2002 Cabernet Merlot, Triomphe ... bretty /earthy / dirty with over-ripe blueberry and cherry, decent acidity, good tannins, smoky and with a long finish. The brettiness is a little off putting but it was still drinkable ... no original review here either
Pillitteri 2005 Cabernet Franc ... Smoky-raspberry, with bretty notes, earthy, and funky aromas; there's a cigar note on the palate with some cherry, and a touch of wet wool - not great ... no original review for this one
Colio Estate 2002 Barrel Aged Cabernet Franc Reserve ... A horrible mess that was liquid wood and very harsh on the palate. original review here
Sandbanks 2005 Cabernet Franc ... A weird sweet cherry pez flavour mixed in with some sweet-tarts, plum, and sweet cherry - it's confected but more interesting than we expected. original review here
28
Dec
2018
- Details
-
Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again
(August 20, 2017) ... Larry and I make this at least an annual, if not bi-annual, event, opening a case of old Ontario wines; we started the tradition on what Larry calls "the best day of football", and while we don't always do it on that day, we do find time to get together and taste some gems and some real shit - here's how this round went ... from my calculation this is the 9th time we have done this:
Flat Rock 2009 Pinot Noir ... Really stinky and it just didn't go anywhere, we really wanted this wine to come around, because Larry is a Pinot fan, but alas it did not. see original review here
Jackson-Triggs 2002 Merlot, Proprietors' Grand Reserve ... soft and slightly oxidized, the nose is quite pruney, but the palate had a smoothness that showed off some cassis, but were found ourselves very blase about it and it did not get better with time - this would be the 6th bottle you pour at a party and no one would be none the wiser. no original review
Sanson Estate 2005 Bird Dog Red ... tobacco, cassis, black raspberry (all dried fruit) and that follows onto the palate with a rich smoky dried raspberry note to the finish. A big positive surprise at this tasting. see original review here
Colaneri 2009 Cabernet "Corposo" ... plum, chocolate and oxidized cherry aromas, very pretty, on the palate it's smoked plum, cassis, smoked-cherry and as it sits it opens up nicely ... but then 30 minutes later it starts heading down hill. Have a bottle? Open it and drink quickly - I was a fan but now, not so much. see original review here
Henry of Pelham 2007 Cabernet Merlot Reserve ... leathery, smoky, cedary and raspberry shows through with nice balance; there's also black cherry and it barely shows its age with a cassis cocoa finish. One of the best bottles of the day. see original review here
Vineland 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon ... silky mocha-chocolate with anise and black cherry; still fresh and lively, quite impressive for its age. no original review
Organized Crime 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ... starts off weedy on the nose, while the palate is a little better, but still not great and it goes nowhere - even worse it has a terrible finish and leaves a bad taste in the mouth; from a high (Vineland Cab) to a low, this is one of the worst wines of the day. see original review here
Magnotta 2002 Toro Nero, Limited Edition (non-VQA) ... tired but definitely not the worst wine of the day; it really is boring; "it's wine" is the best that can be said about it. no original review
Pelee Island 2005 Shiraz ... after 12 years it's boring, but nothing is ultimately wrong with it, it does not draw you in, make you take notice or is in any way memorable ... there is a little white pepper on the finish, it's the 5th bottle you pour at the same party as the above mentioned Jackson-Triggs. see original review here
Cave Spring 2009 Dolomite Riesling ... the nose grabs you with petrol but the palate shows a peach and apple sweetness and seems to be less acidic than one would expect from the vintage, which is known for its high acidity. We give this one a passing grade, but only slightly. see original review here
Cattail Creek 2009 Riesling Estate ... bruised apple notes on the nose, while the palate shows a bitter note of peach and melon rind on the finish, there is some beautiful balance and appeal and it finishes very well ... this wine is very drinkable but it does show its age. see original review here
Hillebrand 2009 Riesling, Ghost Creek Vineyard ... bracing acidity with fresh and sour apple tones, some mineral and a weird but refreshing sweet and sour note - it's an interesting wine from an interesting vintage. see original review here
Score: 6 out of 12 (50%)
