What I've Been Tasting - June 2025
16 Jul 2025- Details
- Category: What I'm Tasting
Scoring is out of 5 stars
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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16 Mile Cellar 2019 Rebel Chardonnay (Ontario)
I'll be honest, I am always excited to try whites from 2019, a year rich in acidity, which truly benefitted those white wines. This version of Rebel Chardonnay is bright, clean and fresh. Lively with marcona almonds on the nose along with lemon, apple and even some floral notes. The palate also delivers the goods, think lemon biscotti with an apple puree. And that acidity, well it's 2019.
$26.95 - winery - (****+)
16 Mile Cellar 2020 Rebel Chardonnay (Ontario) 
Aged in neutral oak this wine delivers all the good 2020 had in store for it. There's a lovely roundness in the mouth, good fruit, namely apple, and it runs through to the finish in such a smooth and sexy way. I'd like a touch more acidity here, but other than that its a lovely bottle to hang out with for an evening.
$26.95 - winery - (****)
16 Mile Cellar 2022 Tenacity Pinot Noir (Ontario)
This wine won double gold at the all Canadian wine championships and there is no doubt in my mind it deserved both of them. There is so much happening here: from the texture of the wine across the tongue, the spicy nature that rolls through the mouth. The cranberry, blackberry, black currant and baking spice flavours that stick around long after you swallow. It's complex and just so... yummy - and I believe that is a technical term.
$60.00 - winery - (**** ½)
Allan Scott 2023 Pinot Noir (New Zealand)
Basic but tasty: earthy, cranberry, sour cherry.
$19.10 - LCBO 13422 - (*** ½+)
Chateau Saint Cyrgues 2022 Costieres de Nimes (France)
This region lies between Rhone and Languedoc. It's a blend of Syrah (60%), Grenache (30%) and Marselan (10%) - it's leathery and spicy with lovely raspberry, black cherry and even some pencil shaving. Fruit is upfront, but backed by good acidity and a tone of flavour. After 3 hours, even better.
$14.95 - LCBO 38613 - (****+)
Cono Sur 2024 Bicicleta Reserva Viognier (Chile)
Soft tropical fruit with notes of pineapple, then some apple and bosc pear. Nice quaffer.
$11.95 - LCBO 64287 - (*** ½+)
Durigutti 2022 Cabernet Franc (Argentina)
A unique Cabernet Franc, but what do you expect from an Argentinean wine. Very ripe style with tobacco, black cherry, delicately spiced and subtle herbal.
$15.95 - LCBO 14916 - (****)
Five Rows Craft Winery 2022 Syrah (Ontario)
Once again this wine is sold out, and it is not surprising, only 66 cases were produced. I know that Lowry Vineyard is know for Pinot but this is their second best grape by far. Smoky, savoury, but still light across the palate. Dark fruit swims around those savoury elements with white pepper darting around too. There are times I think, "yeah, that Pinot is nice, but give me the Syrah any day."
$65.20 - winery - (**** ½)
Grange of Prince Edward County 2023 Chardonnay, Victoria Block (Ontario)
Nice to see a lovely Chardonnay from the Grange: mineral with butter, lemon, green apple with balancing acidity.
$30.00 - winery - (*** ½+)
Jackson-Triggs 2017 Entourage Grand Reserve - Blanc de Blanc (Ontario) 
This 100% Chardonnay spends 5 years on lees and it is crisp, clean, bright and elegant. Biscuity, buttery and plenty of brioche notes. The acidity is on point and this might be one of the best J-T sparkling I've tried in a long time (maybe ever).
$44.26 - winery - (**** ½)
M Chapoutier 2023 Belleruche - Cotes-du-Rhone (France)
Some tropical fruit mixed with green apple and it also has a really nice texture.
$18.00 - LCBO 245340 - (*** ½+)
Malivoire 2024 Melon (Ontario)
This is one of the best Melon I have tasted in years. Lots of grapefruit and tropical fruit on the palate with a lovely seam of minerality - there's some pith notes that just help this wine ease into a dry finish and the acidity is on point. This is sippable, enjoyable and crisp. All I need now are some oysters.
$25.00 - winery - (****+)
Michele Chiarlo 2021 Cipressi Nizza (Italy)
Never had Nizza? This is a good placed to start. First, it's cru Barbera (the good stuff) - dark cherry, cassis, pencil shaving with a fine grit of tannins on the finish.
$26.95 - LCBO 19873 - (*** ½+)
Monterra 2022 Shiraz (Australia)
From McLaren Vale - dark berry fruit with smoky and pencil shaving nuances; and that's just the nose. Palate is full of cassis, blackberry, hint of cinnamon, cherry and earthy. Warm and complex with plenty of depth and a long finish.
$18.95 - LCBO 477059 - (****+)
Paul Mas 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (France)
Juicy, almost jammy Cab from the Languedoc; pleasant and easy drinking, tannins feel skin derived, but don't get in the way of the enjoyment of this wine.
$14.95 - LCBO 30749 - (*** ½+)
SoHo Wines 2024 Peggy - Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Last year Stella came to town and dominated my tastebuds in the summer; this year Peggy strolls in to take her place. What a delightfully crisp and refreshing Sauv Blanc with plenty of yellow grapefruit, white peach and refreshment up the yin-yang. This is a beauty for those who love the New Zealand style of Savvy B with all its acidity and freshness.
$18.00 - LCBO 144386 - (****+)
Viñedos del Altura 2019 Beloki Rioja Crianza (Spain)
Fruit is front and center here with blackberry and black cherry, plus spicy-oak nuances and subtle vanilla; this is modern Crianza wine.
$15.95 - LCBO 33520 - (****)
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