What I've Been Tasting - July 2024
26 Aug 2024- Details
- Category: What I'm Tasting
Scoring is out of 5 stars
- wine is not an essay folks -
here is what those stars mean
3 = average / 3.5 = good
4 = very good / 4.5 = excellent
5 = outstanding
The "+" sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,
but not enough to send it to the next level
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CANADIAN WINES
Chateau des Charmes 2021 Gamay Noir (Ontario, Canada)
Fresh, light and fruity with lots of cherry and raspberry notes. ($15.95 - winery) ... 3.5
Creekside 2020 Red Tractor - Cabernet Merlot (Ontario, Canada)
Decent fruit mixed with mocha, smoky-cherry and raspberry. ($19.95 - #11851) ... 3.5+
Deep Roots Winery 2022 Pinot Gris (British Columbia, Canada)
This leans a little more Grigio than Gris, as it is just citrus galore with a nice kick of acidity - makes for a perfect summer wine. ($23.90 - winery) ... 3.5+
De Simone Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Ontario, Canada) 
Vincenzo (DeSimone) does it again with Cabernet Sauvignon, but this time in a hot vintage - look if you can make a good one in a cooler vintage the hotter one is a no-brainer. Dark cherry and spice lead things off; lots of complex flavours and a silky, supple and dare I say, sexy, finish. ($80.00 - winery) ... 4.5
Flat Rock Cellers 2021 Chardonnay - Rusty Shed (Ontario, Canada)
In the hot vintages I am a huge fan of the Shed, but in those weak vintages I find the Foundation series outperforms. Don't get me wrong, this is still a delicous Chardonnay with a round mouthfeel and lovely fruitiness - but it's also soft and mellow. ($34.95 - winery) ... 3.5+
Hester Creek Estate Winery 2023 Viognier (British Columbia, Canada)
This Viognier starts off fleshy, yet with a mineral component slipping through and delivering the backbone of the wine. There's also a nice fruit component loaded with peach and lemon curd that keeps the freshness with each additional sip. ($27.59 - winery) ... 4
Malivoire 2022 Pinot Noir - Mottiar Vineyard (Ontario, Canada)
There is a nice structure to this Pinot that makes it a pleasure to drink. Nice acidity with some earthy and spicy notes; fruit comes across with some raspberry and cassis. ($40.00 - winery) ... 3.5+
Meldville Wines NV Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (Ontario, Canada)
There is a lovely pink grapefruit cocktail flavour that sits alongside some nice pineapple notes; subtly sweet on the first sip, but there is some acidity that swings in on the second and continues to play nice with everyone. ($27.00 - online / Legends Winery) ... 3.5
Nk'Mip Cellars 2022 Pinot Noir - Qwam Qwmt (British Columbia, Canada) 
This one screams British Columbia with its ripe dark fruit notes. Both red and black cherry fight it out with some cran-raspberry notes, smoke slips in and there is a wow of acidity on the finish; as in wow, I did not expect that. Another amazing wine from the Nk'mip folks, who have been making this a habit. ($45.99 - winery) ... 4
Pillitteri 2020 Cabernet Franc, Caretto (Ontario, Canada)
This is the only red Caretto wine made from the awesome 2020 vintage - no explanation needed, as it is an exceptionally good wine for the price. It's approachable with lovely fruit, tobacoo and black cherry notes. If this is how the entry level tastes, the top end wines must be even better. Pick up this value by the half case (after-all. you gotta save some money for the next level wines). ($30.00 - winery) ... 4
Reif Estate NV Sparkling Chardonnay (Ontario, Canada)
Take a look at my review of the 2022 Chardonnay from this winery - now just add bubbles. ($36.95 - winery) ... 3.5
Two Sisters 2018 Eleventh Post (Ontario, Canada)
Merlot dominated blend with tobacco and black fruit; subtle smokiness with hints of vanilla. This is one of the better 2018 wines in the portfolio. ($47.80 - winery) ... 3.5+
Wending Home 2020 "Up Above" Pinot Noir (Ontario, Canada) 
One of Ontario's newest Niagara wineries has an old hand at the helm. If you liked the work done on Pinot Noir at Henry of Pelham, you'll recognize Ron Geisbrecht's work. This is light and fresh with good Ontario-acidity. It's a finely crafted bottle that has a delicacy about it reminiscent of the best of the County: cherry, strawberry, rhubarb and sour cherry. ($42.95 - winery) ... 4.5
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INTERNATIONAL WINES
Bonny Doon 2023 Picpoul (California, USA)
Hits all the right notes for this type of wine: floral, mineral, herbal, sour peach and even some delicate acidity; it's summery and ready for oysters or muscles. ($19.95 - #36788) ... 3.5+
Bread & Butter 2022 Rosé (California, USA)
This version of the B&B rosé is better than in previouos years - it has a nice fresh strawberry note to the finish. ($19.95 - #18486) ... Good
Chateau d'Aigueville 2019 Cotes du Rhone Villages (Rhone, France)
Nice spice and dark fruit; this wine is totally sippable and enjoyable – with balancing acidity. ($18.95 - #544031) ... 4
Cusumano 2022 Nero D'Avola (Sicily, Italy) 
Before I knew the price, I thought this wine a delicious piece of winemaking: blackberry, cassis and peppery with a juicy middle and nice acidity on the finish. Knowing the price makes it a great value too. ($13.95 - #143164) ... 4
Gustava Lorentz 2016 Gewurztraminer - Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru (Alsace, France)
This Alsatian Gewurztraminer is a delicious wine for those who like their wines on the sweeter side, and like spicy foods. Orange and floral with some pink grapefruit - this one starts off sweet but on the finish loses it and somehow ends dry. ($57.95 - #21886) ... 3.5+
Kenwood Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Jack London Vineyard (California, USA)
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Merlot (16%) and Syrah (3%). The last Jock London I had was long-gone-to-the-Yukon, probably a decade past its drinking window. This newer version is dusty and smoky, with some fruit leather, mocha, spice, earthy, and cedar (where is the fruit) ... maybe a little too much time in barrel; the fruit is hiding in the background - here's hoping it comes out to play. ($59.95 - #944843) ... 3.5
Kistler 2022 Chardonnay, Les Noisetiers (California, USA)
This is a captivating Chardonnay that once you are under its spell, it is hard to get away from it. Butter and butterscotch, subtly smoky, peach cobbler and baked apple plus some spiced almonds and tangerine zest - all brought into focus on the long finish. ($139.95 - #251223) ... 4.5
Laurent Perrachon 2021 Roche Bleue Juliénas (Beaujolais, France)
White pepper surrounds juicy blue fruits with strawberry nuances, cranberry, sour cherry and good acidity on the finish. This is a perfect wine to chill and pour into a glass mid-afternoon; or waiting for dinner. ($21.95 - #487165) ... 3.5+
Ruffino 2019 Modus (Tuscany, Italy) 
Made from Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - The wine has a lovely richness about it with plenty of fruit at its core: black cherry, blackberry, plum with hints of vanilla and smoke - this version is easy to drink with well-balanced acidity and tannins. Wines like this are a pleasure across the palate. ($32.95 - #912956) ... 4
Tenute Pieralisi 2021 Villaia Verdicchio Classico Superiore (Marche, Italy)
Nice aromas and flavours to match: lime zest, white peach, lemon pith, mineral and nectarine. Has a certain hot day drink factor to it. ($24.95 - #36551) ... 3.5+
Toi Toi 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
A solid Marlborough Savvy B that delivers everything the Sauvignon Blanc fan in your life is looking for. Nose starts off grapefruit and never gives up. On the palate it's grapefruit cocktail, peachy with a long finish. Solid and intense with lots of playful acidity. ($18.95 - #454785) ... 4+
Wakefield 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jaraman (Australia) 
While Oz is known for Shiraz, I have learned to expect good stuff from their Cabernet. This Wakefield is spicy with lush fruit: blackberry, plum, cherry, and so much more. ($24.95 - #142398) ... 4+
Wine by Joe 2022 Pinot Gris (Oregon, USA)
Very tasty little offering by Joe with notes of lemon, apple, yellow plum and some citrus pith on the finish. ($19.95 - #58651) ... 3.5
