2015-16

Wines scored out of 10 points.

BYO: Red, Whites or Pinks
September 2015 – David

7.5 The Big Easy 2012 (California) $36
Spicy bouquet with some bell pepper; smooth with strong tannins

7.5 Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (New Zealand) $20
Citrus and tropical fruits, tart; typical NZ Sauvignon Blanc

7.5 Kaiken Malbec 2012 (Argentina) $20
Floral notes on the nose with meaty flavors; tannic but well balanced

7.5 Creekside Merlot 2010 (Ontario) $30
Bouquet of dark red fruit, with green pepper and hints of forest floor; fairly light, smooth.

7.0 Marchesi di Barolo Barolo 2009 (Italy) $37
Jammy bouquet, sweet with toasted sugar; rather tannic

7.0 Castellani Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2011 (Italy) $20
Light bouquet, tannic and closed

 

Pinot Noir: Niagara vs Okanagan
October 2015 – Michele & Ted

7.5   Stoneboat Pinot Noir 2012 (Okanagan) $30
Whifs of grapefruit and beet on the nose, rich, spicy with a sweet finish

7.0  Moraine Pinot Noir 2012 (Okanagan) $20
Musty nose with chocolate, cherries; some spice

7.0  Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos 2011 (Niagara) $75
A little closed, cherries, well balanced, tannic

6.5  Le Clos Jordanne Clayshore Terrace 2011 (Niagara) $45
Cherries on the bouquet, smooth, fine tannins, spicy

6.5  Tawse Quarry Road Pinot Noir 2011 (Niagara) $35
On the bland side, dilute, some cherries evident

6.0  Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2013 (Okanagan) $41
Overly sweet and syrupy

 

Crus Beaujolais
November 2015 – Nicole & Chris

8.5  Chateau des Jacques Moulin-A-Vent 2011 $30
Spicy black pepper nose with medicinal notes, black cherries and candy flavors

7.5  Manoir du Carra 2012 $20
Pepper and koolaid bouquet, grapey flavors, sweetish

7.0  Stephane Aviron Fleurie 2011 $22
Spicy notes, a little musty, lacking finesse

7.0  Chateau Raousset Chiroubles 2013 $18
Strawberries and grapefruit on the bouquet with similar taste

6.5  Morson Cote du Py 2011 $18
Sweet aroma, strawberries and black tea

6.0  Pascal Aufranc Chenas 2013 $18
Perfumed nose, sour and peppery

5.5  Leaning Post Gamay 2013 $25
Unpleasant, insipid with caramelized sugar notes

 

Sparkling Wine and Appetizers
December 2015 – Ellen

8.0  Penedes Apriori Brut $22

7.5  Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut $20

7.0  Cathedral Cellar Brut 2010 $17

7.0  Veuve Cliquot Brut $70

7.0  Bottega Gold Prosseco $25

7.0  Cave Spring Blac de blanc Brut $30

 

Chardonnay: Old World vs Hunter Valley
January 2016 – Rob and Don

8.0  Domaine du Chalet Pouilly-Fuisse 2013 $35
Gorgeous notes of marijuana on the nose, well-balanced, citrus finish

8.0  Mistletoe Chardonnay 2014 $21
Honey, yeast and caramel bouquet, rubber flavors, slightly sweet

7.5  Hungerford Hill Chardonnay 2013 $33
Oak and a hint of sulphur in the bouquet, complex, nutty finish

7.0  Germann Chardonnay 2014 $35
Slightly effervescent, peach and melon notes, grassy

7.0  Castello Della Sala Bramito Chardonnay 2013 $25
Yeast and apple on the nose, smells French

6.5  La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru 2012 $33
Burnt sugar and sea breezes in the bouquet, gingery, a little dilute

 

Sauvignon Blanc: Old World vs New World
February 2016 – Louise and Neil

8.5  Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $33
Tropical fruits and bright citrus notes on the nose, citrus and guava flavors

8.0  Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $25
Typical grassy flavors mixed with pineapple bouquet, a touch sweet

7.5  Mantele Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $37
Golden color, skunky rubbery bouquet, asparagus flavors

7.0  Domaine Chatelain Pouilly-Fume 2014 $22
Slightly sweet and tropical nose, fresh tasting

7.0  Pedroncelli Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $20
Sulphur and mineral notes on the nose, slightly effervescent

7.0  Henri Bourgeoise Les Baronnes Sancerre 2014 $26
Rubber notes, grassy, a disappointing finish for a perennial favorite

 

Go Big or Go Home Part II
March 2016 – Michele and Ted

8.0  Finca del Marquesado Gran Reserva Rioja 2008 $22
A blend of ketchup and floral notes on the nose, smooth, prune flavors, fine tannins

8.0  Chapellet Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $50
Mineral notes, smooth, rich and moderately tannic, delicious

7.5  Gnarly Head Petite Syrah 2013 $18
Herbal and green pepper flavors on the nose, smooth and plummy

7.0  Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 $45
Spicey, alcoholic, gamey flavors, needs more time

7.0  Domaine La Fourmane Le Fauquet Gigondas 2011 $35
Tannic and alcoholic, needs more time

6.5  Ridge Three Valley’s Sonoma County 2013 $30
Lovely banana aromas on the nose, fruity and smooth

 

Over 90 Under 20
April 2016 – Rob and Don

8.0  Tarapaca Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2012 $18
Green pepper notes on the nose, abundant fine tannins, smooth and well-rounded

8.0  Shotfire Shiraz 2013 $19
Jammy with loads of raspberry flavors, slight odd effervescence

7.0  Finca el Origen Malbec 2013 $19
A touch of mint and plummy notes, tannic

7.0  Xavier Cotes du Rhone 2012 $17
Smooth, well-balanced, good finish

7.0  Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $19
A bit dull, needs more acid, short finish

6.5  Norton Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012 $18
Jammy, plums abound, tannic, parts more than the sum

 

California Cabernet Sauvignon
May 2016 – David

8.5  Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $127
Cherries, blackberries on the nose, smooth and rich, strong but supple tannins, delicious

8.0  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $35
Bouquet of plum with mineral notes, strong tannins, fruity and well balanced

7.5  Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $70
Cherries on the nose, green pepper and raspberries, moderately acidic

7.5  Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $24
Slightly sweet bouquet with green pepper and floral notes, smooth, dark fruit flavor

7.5  Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 203 $20
Plums and sweet aromas, rich and balanced

7.0  Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $59
Blackcurrants and cherries with caramel notes, well balanced