di Leornardo 2009 Merlot

Absolutely wonderful Merlot, bursting with ripe black fruit. Medium bodied and a lovely long finish. Smooth tannins. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: BUY

Giacomo Montresor 2007 Amarone

I have yet to meet an Amarone I didnt like and I am very happy this one kept up the tradition. It certainly has the heat (15.5%)and the full body even if it doesn't have the depth of flavour that the great Amarones have. Decent fruit. A nice lingering finish. Would be excellent with a bolognese. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Joke of the Day

A SQL Injection walks into a bar, starts to #quote something but stops, drops a table, then dashes out.

(You have to be a bit of a hacker to appreciate this one. Blame Melanie, not me)

Le Gravillas 2009 Sablet

An interesting red wine from Cotes du Rhone. Nothing that jumps out at you, nothing wonderfully complex, just a wine that can be enjoyed. Plumy. Medium body. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Mission Hill 2003 Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay

I guess my idea of "reserve" and Mission Hill's is different. Personally I expect a superior wine. This Chardonnay is quite drinkable but nothing extraordinary for the price. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Joke of the Day

Two hunters hired a pilot to fly them into the remote bush to hunt moose. They bagged four. As they started loading the plane for the return trip home, the pilot told them the plane could take only two moose. The two hunters objected strongly, stating, "Last year we shot four moose, and the pilot let us put them all on board, and he had the same plane as yours."

Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all four were loaded. Unfortunately, even at full power, the little plane couldn't handle the load and crashed a few minutes after takeoff.

Climbing out of the wreck, Hunter #1 asked, "Any idea where we are?"

Hunter #2 replied, "I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year."

Peterborough Photowalk Update

Joke of the Day

Customer: Waitress! This coffee tastes like mud!

Waitress: Of course it does, sir. It's fresh ground!


<rimshot>

Farnese 2009 Sangiovese

One note Sangiovese that really needs a pasta sauce to pair with. Surprisingly almost drinkable for an dirt cheap red wine. Might make an acceptable choice for a large party (like a wedding.) Medium long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Okay if you need some cooking wine but probably best to pass

Henschke 2005 Henry's Seven

A lovely blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier. Medium body. Features luscious black fruits with a nice long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Farina 2004 Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarones are one of my favourites and this one doesn't disappoint. Full-bodied with big fruit and a lovely long finish. Great with pasta w/tomato sauces. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Josephine Dubois 2009 Grande Reserve Pinot Noir

A nice if young Pinot Noir. Light bodied. Deep cherry. Old World style. Needs another 5 or 6 years in the cellar. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Mission Hill 2003 Oculus

Interesting blend that promised more than it delivered. 47% Merlot, 25% Cab Sauv, 20% Cab Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. I waited in vain for this wine to fully open up. Nice flavours. Dark fruits. Probably needs another 5 years in the cellar. Not available in LBCO. Recommendation: Buy

Greata Ranch 2005 Ehrenfelser

Interesting varietal that will remind you of  Riesling. Nice lingering finish. Well balanced. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Concha Y Toro 2007 Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon

Decent Cab. Old world style. Medium body. Long finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Peterborough Photowalk Update

We are planning a FREE photowalk for Peterborough Sunday July 17 (starts 10am) and runs rain or shine. Route starts at Roger Cove parking lot and winds through East City. Everyone is welcome with whatever photo gear you have SLR, cellphone, Point&shoot, or even disposable. Several local pro photographers will be part of the group. Watch hashtag #PTBOphotowalk on Twitter or email PTBOphotowalk@gmail.com for more information.

Peterborough Photowalk

Planning a photowalk in Peterborough this summer. Starting from scratch. Should be interesting and fun!

J Calvert 2006 Reserve Des Remparts Saint-Emilion

A delightful Bordeaux and everything you want in an old world style wine. Beautifully complex and well balanced. Lovely long finish. Medium body. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: BUY

Joke of the Day

Q. What do you call a pirate who falls asleep at weird times throughout the day?
A. a NARRRcoleptic.

Bonterra 2007 Zinfandel

Decent enough Zinfandel that is a bit on the light side - not over-powering. Medium body. Ok black fruits. Good with full cheeses. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Okay