Joke of the Day

Q. What do you call a dog with no legs?

A. It doesn't matter what you call him. He ain't gunna come.

Fielding 2007 Riesling

A well balanced Riesling. Green apple with a sweet melon note. Nice long finish. OK with fish or a even a decent blue cheese. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy.

Peller 2005 Private Reserve Dry Riesling

Bright green apple. Some citrus aftertaste. Pleasant finish. Pairs nicely with fish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy.

Two Hands 2006 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

Luscious fruit although a bit on the dull side. Long finish with a bit of a gnarly aftertaste. Decent heat. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Kilikanoon 2006 Killerman's Run Shiraz

Excellent companion to the Shiraz/Grenache blend. Not as soft and velvety without the Grenache, but still very luscious. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Kilikanoon 2006 Killerman's Run Shiraz Grenache

A wonderful full bodied blend. Tremendous ripe black and red fruit taste. Big, but very soft almost velvety and round. Would stand up to steaks, but can be enjoyed by itself. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Fielding 2007 Reserve Gewurztraminer

Another pleasant offering from Fielding. Well balanced. Soft citrus with some melon. Very floral. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Chateau Ducla 2009 Entre Deux Mers

An okay blend 42% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Sauvignon Gris, 24% Semillon, 5% Muscadelle. Fairly easy drinking with notes of soft citrus and some melon. The Muscadelle cuts through on the finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: "meh"

Chateau des Proms 2008 Cuvee Bellevue Bordeaux

A pleasant bordeaux if somewhat forgettable. Medium bodied and nothing really distinctive. Nice to sip, but best paired with snacks or tapas. Available at LCBO. recommendation: Pass

Fielding 2008 Fawnsbrook Gewurztraminer

I was really pleasantly surprised by this wine. Fairly soft citrus with prominent floral notes. Very round and well balanced. Nice finish although just a distance touch of acid in the aftertaste, Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it

Le Vieux Donjon 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape

A wonderful wine I simply couldn't put down. It opened quickly. Exhibits soft tannins for such a young wine. Wonderfully soft and full of flavour, but with a long finish. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Christian Moueix 2005 Bordeaux

A nice light Bordeaux. Easy to drink alone but does very well paired with beef (even hamburger.) Nice long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it

Black Hills 2005 Nota Bene

Very nice blend of 43% Cab Sauv, 37% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc. Ok fruit and well hidden heat. Velvety soft tannins. If I have any criticism it would be that the fruit could be more prominent. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it.

Ouch

I gave myself a nice light sprain in the ankle the other day. Here's the story - I was walking the dogs in Burnham Park (a Provincial Wilderness Park) which is semi-closed for the winter. (Unmaintained - Use at your own risk). Ay the very back of the park the trail winds down the side of the hill into the ravine. There was a very thin covering of snow on the trail so the ice that had formed from the thaw a couple of days prior was hidden.

I had just started down the hill when I hit a patch of ice and down I went, ass over tea kettle, for about 5 metres. My trip was luckily(?) stopped by an Ironwood tree. My left ankle had twisted and I couldnt stand on it. I realized I shouldnt crawl back to the trail as I would likely just do the same thing to my other ankle so I crawled over the brush in the deep snow straight down the hill to the bottom of the ravine. There I was able to find a sturdy fallen branch to use as a crutch and was able to get to my feet with the help of a tree. Slowly with the use of the crutch I was able to walk the 1km uphill back to the van.

I did have my cell phone with me and could have called for help had I really needed it, but the experience was interesting and rewarding. Its nice to know I have the Will Power to overcome physical impediments and challenges.

Trapiche 2008 Reserve Malbec

A decent Malbec at a very good price point. A bit dull on the fruit, but nice to enjoy with friends. A bit of heat. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: keep a bottle or two on hand

Langa 2006 Garnacha

A Grenache by any other name .... Nice fruit but nothing great, medium body, pairs nicely with red meat. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle

Ravenswood 2008 Vintners Blend Zinfandel

Run of the mill medium bodied Zin. Some nice fruit with a decent finish. Very drinkable whether as a sipper or paired with pasta or red meat. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: keep a couple of bottles on hand

Peller 2007 Private Reserve Riesling

A decent medium bodied Riesling. Nice paired with chinese food or seafood, but not really well suited to sip. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Drinkable

Beringer 2008 California Collection Cabernet Sauvignon

I bought this with some hesitation at the price, but not with the name. Beringer makes some of the best reds coming out of California and I have never been disappointed with their offerings. This Cab is a really good find at a terrific price point. It takes quite a while to open up, but is well balanced with a nice round finish. I have had this with chicken, beef and just as a sipper and it works well. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it

Wyndham 2007 Bin 444 Cabernet Sauvignon

A run of the mill Cabernet. Okay fruit (not intense as they claim) but pretty good (for the price point). Buy it if you are looking for a wine to serve with lamb/veal but look elsewhere for a sipping wine. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: OK to buy a bottle.