Domaine des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux (Loire, France)

This was an absolute delight of a wine I tasted in the Loire Valley, right at the winery

Domaine des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux

 

 

Domaine Des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux
Fresh, lively, good acidity, lemon/lime, bright, hint of melon - stony/salty quality, perfect with oysters.  (****)

Querceto di Castellina 2018 SEI Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione (Italy)

High elevation vines? It's a thing, right? 

Sure, but it wasn't always this way. Let me explain and also tell you about this gorgeous wine

Querceto di Castellina 2018 SEI Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

high altitude fruit makes this a real winner with a delightful hit of acidty that keeps things fresh and lively, full of sour cherry and cranberry with a light touch of cherry cough drop, firm tannins, the wine is very approachable now, but has good aging potential ... **** 1/2

Zonte's Footstep 2018 Hills Are Alive Shiraz (Australia)

Zonte is a super-cool project created to "show off" different expressions 

of Shiraz from different regions throughout Australia - this is one of those stories

Zonte's Footstep 2018 Hills Are Alive Shiraz

De Simone 2019 Chardonnay (Ontario Wine)

Not usually a fan of Vincenzo's version/style of Chardonnay, until now

De Simone 2019 Chardonnay

 

Boscarelli 2018 Vino Nobile Riserva DOCG (Tuscany, Italy)

Filmed on a noisy Florence balcony - you see none of the city - 

but you sense the beauty in this bottle of wine

Boscarelli 2018 Vino Nobile di montepulciano Riserva DOCG

 

> WRITTEN REVIEW <

Nice hints of floral on the nose lead to a palate with good concentration of dark fruits, by the third sip the acidity has come alive creating a lively finish.  (**** 1/2) - video does it better 😉

Bocale 2018 Montefalco Rosso

This wine is a total delight, but watch out, I have one warning about it

Bocale 2018 Montefalco Rosso

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

Wow ... Simply wow ... This Rosso is a beauty with its juicy red fruit, cassis, tobacco, lovely spice notes and good acidity to keep it fresh and lively on the palate. I kept sipping and sipping until I looked at the alcohol: 15%, then I slowed down. Still a beauty bottle for sipping or for dinner, just keep that alcohol in mind.  (****+)

read more at  

https://michaelpinkuswinereview.com/ 

 

Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio alle Mura (Tuscany, Italy)

Iconic wines need little to no introduction, but tasting them is a totally different stor

Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio alle Mura

 

 >>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

The dark fruit is the first thing to show up (and stick around), it's rich and concentrated with a cherry, kirsch and smoky note on the finish. Meanwhile the acidity is a late arrival to the party (third / fourth sip), but once it shows it really makes its presence felt.  (****)

 

Bachelder 2019 Chardonnay, Bai Xu Vineyard (Ontario Wine)

This might be another of those sold out wines, 

but the vineyard has proven to be such a gold mine of great wine, that I had to tell you about it : 

 

Bachelder 2019 Chardonnay, Bai Xu Vineyard 

 

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

 

Where did this Bai Xu vineyard come from? It's like Thomas B was driving along, spied the vineyard and then stopped, parked, wander up to the door and asked a bunch of questions ... One of them was the draw dropping "how old are these?" Now it says it right there on the label, 1981. These old vines have the sense to bring us notes of pineapple, pear and apricots; there's a hint of vanilla here as well. The oaky notes manage to weave its way between the fruits, but never seems to get in the way.  (****+)

Tenuta Garetto 2018 Fava - Nizza docg (Piedmont, Italy)

I've mentioned Nizza before and I am going to do it again, with another beauty ... 

What is Nizza? Watch and Listen : 

Tenuta Garetto 2018 Fava - Nizza docg 

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

Lovely freshness with its floral overtones and dark fruit undertones. Very drinkable with that dark fruit under belly, lush – “they” say the ultimate expression of Barbera comes from Nizza and you can feel it here: the finish rolls out cherry and blackberry kept fresh with good acid backbone.  (****+)

 

Paride D'Angelo 2020 Pecorino Colline Pescaresi (Abruzzo, Italy)

Pecorino? The wine, not the cheese; but believe it or not, there is a connection : 

Paride D'Angelo 2020 Pecorino Colline Pescaresi

 

>>> THE WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

This 100% Pecorino goes through wild fermentation then 6 months in stainless steel tanks ... It's nice and dry and crisp, seems to come across a little linear on the palate with its minerality and saltiness, but then incomes pineapple, green, apple, citrus, and good acidity mid-palate to finish. It’s that good acidic seam that keeps this wine fresh and lively with a really long appealing finish.  (****)

Morandin Wines 2020 County Pinot Noir (Ontario Wine)

Am I too late to tell you about this wine? Maybe. 

But I think it never to late to look forward to the next vintage 

 

Morandin Wines 2020 County Pinot Noir

Le Potazzine 2016 Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy)

Truly one of the most balanced and delightful Brunello I have tasted 

from the fantastic 2016 vintage in Tuscany : 

Le Potazzine 2016 Brunello di Montalcino

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

This wine just shows both a feminine and masculine side ... Which is a feat unto itself. It's well-rounded and full-bodied while still puffing out its chest and being bold and brazen. Lots of red fruit: currants and cherries with a slightly smoky elegance and floral charisma ... There's also some subtle rhubarb, brash tannins and yet also shows an earthy side - yet nothing overpowers, nothing overwhelms, everything has its place and is in its place. It has time on its side yet can easily find its way into a glass now. Absolutely lovely.  (**** ½)

 

Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir (Ontario Wine)

The year: 2019. The grape: Pinot Noir. The vineyard: Grand Clos. 

The result, well watch the video to find out about : 

Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir

 

<<< WRITTEN REVIEW >>>

What a pretty version of Pinot Noir this is - from the beautiful floral and cherry on the nose, to the follow-through in the mouth incorporating notes of strawberry plus black and red raspberry - there is a slight spiciness and the tannins start out "gritty”, but they manage to smooth out with some time in glass and create what might be the best Grand Clos of this iteration of the new Clos Jordanne.  Rating: ****+

Rockway Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc

Golf course or winery? 

It's both and thank goodness, or we be missing out on this delightful 2018 Franc

Rockway Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc

 

THE WRITTEN REVIEW

I would not put 2018 into the pantheon of great Ontario vintages - but it proved to be adequate, and when it comes to Cabernet Franc sometimes that's all you need; which is why it has become a staple-grape in Ontario. This wine proves to be soft across the palate with nice black raspberry, blackberry, subtle tobacco, and herbal character, bordering on wet tobacco leaf - a hint of tannin bite and a little smokiness joins the fray for good measure. There's also a nice intensity on the finish.  Rating: ****

 

Rosehall Run 2019 UV - Nedelko Vineyard (Ontario Wine)

Grapes come from Niagara, but Dan Sullivan makes this wine all his own

 

Rosehall Run 2019 UV - Nedelko Vineyard

 

... THE WRITTEN REVIEW ...

This Niagara-based Meritage blend comes from Niagara's Nedelko vineyard - and for 2019 it delivers so much more then I would have expected it to Cherry and sour cherry meet strawberry, but without being over the top, then there's mocha and pencil shavings with a juicy drink-ability that carries it right down the middle. It's quite a lovely bottle, proving Dan Sullivan can work with both Prince Edward County and Niagara fruit - but I think we've known that from his past endeavours.  ( **** )