Ross Estate, Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This wine was released less than two weeks ago and I thought I should try this Shiraz before they disappear from the shelves of my local LCBO.  A deep colour with a bouquet of black fruit, blueberry, blackcurrant, damp earth, smoke and fruit cake spices. The mouthfeel is rich with loads of fruit , yet not jammy , smooth texture with velvet tannins. The finish is long, fresh, smoky with excellent depth of flavour. An absolute beauty that is drinking well right now and is a real comfort wine. I will make sure to pick up a few more bottles.

This wine was purchased on August 20, 2011 LCBO New Release at $30.95

Morgan Syrah 2007, Monterey County, California, USA

This very interesting Syrah originates from a cooler region of California, almost middle ground between a meaty Rhône Syrah and a more fruit forward Australian Shiraz. This deep color wine has aromas  that reveal ripe cherry and blackberry, earthy, black pepper, clove and vanilla. The mouthfeel has rich concentrated flavours, balance acidity and dusty tannins. This wine finish is a bit hot (14.4 % alcohol), velvety with mouth coating sweetness and loads of flavours. Very nice

This wine was purchased August 20, 2011 LCBO New Release at $24.95

Fattorie Melini La Selvanella Chianti Classico 2005, Tuscany, Italy

A very traditional style of Chianti, very dry and complex aromatics of sour cherry, plums, cedar, licorice and leather. This medium bodied wine is well balanced with crisp acidity, dusty tannins and well managed alcohol at 13%. The finish is medium, dry with sour cherry,earthy, cedar and rustic. A definite food wine, but a very enjoyable one.

This bottle was a gift from very good friends, thank you Joanne and Antonio (Tony) .

Giacomo Borgogno Barbera d'Alba 2009, Piedmont, Italy

This deep ruby colour Barbara is a product of the warm 2009 vintage. The nose reveals very ripe berry fruit, plums, cedar, sweet spices. Medium to full body, with a huge 14.5% alcohol content, especially for a Barbera, with fresh acidity, smooth tannins and rich mouthfeel.The finish is long, with white pepper, sweet and sour fruit. A more robust body than is characteristic of a Barbera, however it has enough acidity and tannins to balance all that fruit. All and all, very enjoyable. Recommended.

This wine was purchased at the SAQ on June 11, 2011 at $18.40.

Mission Hill Select Lot Collection Syrah 2007, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

I have fond memories of the Mission Hill SLC Syrah 2004 and 2006, which I believe has to be some of the best BC Syrah I have ever tasted. Now, how does the 2007 compare? On the nose, a very rich aromatic wine with black fruit, sage, coffee, smoky and meaty. Full bodied mouthfeel, with a well managed alcohol at 14%, with more dark fruit savoury spices, cedar, pepper, balance acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is long, rich and muscular. I did enjoy this Syrah, but it did not compare to the more elegance and finesse of the 2004 and 2006 vintage. I little too much oak for my palate but a very solid performer.  If a number had to be assigned (for easy comparison), I would rate this at a 89 out of 100.

This wine was purchase at the Artisan Wine Shop in Victoria BC on July 18, 2011 at $36.99

The Adventure and Thrill of "The Find"

When I travel, I am constantly on the lookout for wine shops. I am hopelessly addicted, searching for wines I can rarely taste or have only read about. Some shops are small and charming, others may have a tasting bar with interesting wines to sample.

The stores in my province of Ontario all look the same, some are smaller and some are much bigger but they all look alike. Privately owned stores are interesting and have personality that embody the passion of the owner. 

This was my approach last summer while seeking wine shops in Berlin, Stockholm and Amsterdam and then this summer in Rome, Tuscany, Barcelona and Ajaccio on the island of Corsica in France.

And here are five addition to my cellar from this summer's wine;
-Chateau les Ormes de Pez 1999, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
-Chateau Haut-Marbuzet 2002, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
(Both bought in Ajaccio at a beautiful shop call Caviar-Volga)

-La Rioja Alta S.A., Grand Reserva Cosecha 1998, Rioja, Spain (Bought in Barcelona)
-Bolgueri Sassicaia 2008, Tuscany, Italy (bought in San Gimignano)
-Varramista Ottopioppi 2007, Tuscany, Italy
A blend of Sangiovese and Grenache bought in small shop in Volterra, Italy.

Cantine Leonardo da Vinci Merlot Degli Artisti 2005, Tuscany, Italy

While in Rome I had the opportunity to visit Naumachia Ristorante & Wine Bar in Rome (Via Celimontana 7) for dinner, just a few blocks from the Colosseum. I was quite impressed with the wine list and excited to see that both red and white wines were stored in there respective temperature controlled wine cellars. I was truly excited to try wines which I have never set my eyes upon prior to this.  I was looking for a red wine which would work well with our three meals, and I settled on a Cantine Leonardo da Vinci Merlot Degli Artisti 2005. I was a bit hesitant that a 2005 Merlot may be past its prime but was assured that it was drinking beautifully right now and... it sure was.

This Merlot posessed a great of deal aromatics of wild berries, cherries, plums, red currants, vanilla and cloves. On the palate, balance acidity, well integrated tannins with a rich and velvet mouthfeel. The finish was long, smooth and oh so enjoyable. I have tasted from this winery, their Chianti Classico before. but not their Merlot. I would most definitely buy this wine again.

We all were very happy with our visit at this restaurant, the food was very good and well priced, the service was excellent and my dessert  of Creme Caramel, was possibly the best I have ever had.