What I've Been Tasting - June 2024
17 Jun 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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Aveleda 2020 Solos de Granito, Alvarinho (Portugal) 
I avoid recommending food pairing as often as I am asked, but this one with its mineral, lanolin, stoniness, and lime notes is quite different from you're usual Vinho Verde and would be a perfect accompaniment to oysters. ($23.95 - #17514) ... 3.5+
Big Head Wines 2021 Viognier (Ontario, Canada)
This is the Big Head's second time making Viognier. 7 days of carbonic maceration then housed in both terra cotta and older barrels: subtle tropical, lemon and yellow delicious apple. ($34.80 - Winery) ... 3.5+
Chateau des Charmes 2020 St David's Bench Merlot (Ontario, Canada)
Dark fruit with big tannins and some spicy notes. ($44.95 - Winery) ... 3.5+
Colio Estate Wines 2020 Small Lot Series Cabernet Franc (Ontario, Canada)
With smoky tobacco mixing it up with raspberry, cherry and even some earthy notes, this Franc is a fine little sip for a Sunday evening. ($40.00 - Winery) ... 3.5
Deep Roots Winery 2022 Gamay (British Columbia, Canada)
A fruit forward Gamay where sour cherry rules; but it also shows a little on the Pinot-esque side. ($25.90 - Winery) ... 3.5
Domiane Queylus 2021 Tradition Pinot Noir (Ontario, Canada)
Basic model of Pinot Noir has the basics down pat: cran-cherry and rhubarb. ($35.50 - Winery) ... 3.5
Henry of Pelham 2022 The Shadow Rock, Sauvignon Blanc (Ontario, Canada)
Not your typical Savvy B by any stretch: tangerine, vanilla, with a smooth and creamy texture across the tongue. ($21.95 - Winery) ... 3+
La Posta 2022 Armando Bonarda (Argentina) 
Most people know Argentina for Malbec, but let's look at another grape that does well there, Bonarda. There are times I think of this as the Gamay of Argentina because it is fruity and refreshing in a red wine sort of way - you can also chill these. Juicy with black raspberry taking center stage, there's also notes of smoke that weaves through. Heavier than a Gamay but certainly worth a taste and a burger to go with it. ($14.95 - #261586) ... 3.5+
Leaning Post 2019 Senchuk Vineyard, Pinot Noir (Ontario, Canada)
Earthy and cranberry mix with sour cherry and good acidity for a pleasant mouthfeel and finish. (Sold Out) ... 3.5+
Luigi Bosca 2022 Malbec (Argentina)
Luigi Bosca is consistently good with their Malbec offerings and this is no exception. Get beyond the cassis, black cherry and mocha and you'll also find hints of earthy and smokiness. ($19.95 - #452672) ... 4
Lungarotti 2020 L'Um (Italy)
This has always been a Merlot heavy, with a does of Sangiovese wine. Lots of juicy dark fruit that comes across sweet and fruity; vanilla, cherry, plum, subtle tannins and smoky - really smooth and easy to drink. A real palate pleaser. (Sold Out) ... 4
Malivoire 2023 Pinot Gris (Ontario, Canada)
Ontario is getting better at coaxing flavour out of Gris, and Malivoire is one of the leaders in this change. Here green apple skin and lemon drop mix to create something ultimately refreshing and easy to drink. ($22.00 - Winery) ... 3.5+
Monte Creek Winery 2022 Living Land Gamay (British Columbia, Canada)
Nice cherry notes with strawberry backing - this one is fresh and fruity and a great edition to the Canadian Gamay pantheon. ($33.34 - Winery) ... 3.5+
Privato Vineyard and Winery 2022 Cabernet Franc (British Columbia, Canada)
Hints of mocha meet cherry tobacco, black raspberry and notes of vanilla. ($40.24 - Winery) ... 3.5
Wakefield 2022 Chardonnay (Australia) 
Wakefield continues to up its Chardonnay game - from over oaked to show me the fruit: touch of smokiness weaves its way through apple, peach, vanilla, and a hit of spice. The mid-palate shows a creamy texture, but gives ways to a lemon rind finish. ($17.95 - #711556) ... 4
Wild Goose Vineyards 2023 Pinot Gris (British Columbia, Canada)
Texture is good here, the fruit hides a little, muting itself a little behind what seems some tannin-grit ... but it moves a little fleshy with some pear skin and flesh on the palate to the finish. ($22.99 - Winery) ... 3.5
Zonte's Footstep 2021 1st Off the Rank (Australia)
A Cabernet Sauvignon that is first and foremost spicy and peppery; but there's good fruit involved too. Dark berries, black cherry, and cassis with a very juicy middle; but the finish is loaded with more of that spiciness. ($23.95 - #33417) ... 3.5+
