Alvento 2004 Elige

A rather pedestrian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It starts poorly, with harsh tannins that never mellows out. After waiting several hours, the wine never opened up. Not very complex. Ok fruit. Mediocre finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Henry of Pelham 2002 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay

A decent Chardonnay if a little over-oaked. Decent fruit, but not particularly well balanced. Decent finish. Beautiful colour. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Okay

La Vieille Ferme 2006 Cotes du Ventoux

A lovely blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourdevre and Cinsault. Very nice fruit with a spice/floral/earthy component. Nice long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Tawse 2006 Pinot Noir

A very nice light Pinot with some nice complexities. Some earthiness, with nicely balanced fruit. Excellent long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Sonsierra 2002 Reserva Rioja

A decent if somewhat unmemorable Rioja. Medium bodied. Old world style. Not particularly revealing on the nose. Quite a long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: OK for a change.

Joke of the Day

A pirate walked into a bar with a steering wheel on his crotch.

The Bartender asked him if it hurt.

The Pirate replied, "Arrr it's drivin me nuts!"

Carmela Estates 2001 Hubbs Creek

Upon opening this white blend, you will be struck by the complete absence of nose. Upon pouring you will be struck by the absolutely beautiful full amber colour but again, virtually nothing on the nose. Then comes the first sip, and the first gag. Terrible. The best that can said for it is that it tastes like peat. In fact if it were room temperature, one might mistake it for a watered down Scotch whiskey that somehow retained its colour. No fruit at all and a complete disappointment. I had come to not expect too much from this winery over the years but I never thought they would produce a complete dumper. Carmela has recently been sold and hopefully the new owner will make an effort to make Hubbs Creek a distant memory. If he has any of this in his library, he ought to dump it and destroy the labels. Frankly the bottle deposit is worth more than the contents. Not Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Dump it ... and if someone gives it to you as a gift, examine that friendship very closely.

Bouchard Aine & Fils 2007 Beaujolais

A very nice light Beaujolais very much in the Pinot Noir style. Light bodied. Decent fruit. Very easy to drink and/or to pair. Light enough to pair with chicken, yet almost full enough to pair with lamb and certainly salmon. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Hernder 2001 Chardonnay

My first true special find ($9.95/btl). Now past its prime, this wine still has a nice balance of oak and fruit ... as long as you prefer a VERY oaky Chardonnay. Slightly longer finish. Awesome Golden colour and a medium to full body. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it if you can find it.

Open 2009 Sociable Sparkling

A new offering from Vincor. Truly a throw-away sparkling wine. OK to mix in mimosas or sparkling wine cocktail where the mix will overwhelm the taste of the wine. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: PASS

Ravazzi 2006 Riserva Chianti

A mediocre Chianti. OK with pasta, etc. Almost nothing on the nose. Nice finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: You can do better

Peller 2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay

Beautiful golden colour. Nice balance of oak and citrus. Medium body. Slightly lingering finish. A bit pricey. Not abailable at LCBO. Recommendation: OK to buy

Rosedale 2007 Nine Lives Shiraz

Lovely full-bodied Shiraz. Very fruit forward. Nice lingering finish. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Fielding 2006 Chadonnay Unoaked

A fairly smooth Chardonnay. OK on the balance. Decent to pair with chicken. Not available at LCBO. ecommendation: You can do better

Le Clos Jordanne 2006 Village Reserve Pinot Noir

A very earthy Pinot Noir. Some fruit, but very Old World Style. Fairly light. Not available in LCBO. Recommendation: You can do better