2006 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon

Largely inoffensive, but has enough flaws that I would not get this one again.

It has a watery, cranberry flavour, with a peppery, pasty aftertaste. Altogether unbalanced, but not terrible either. Cheap and functional.

Tasting Tags: cranberry paste pepper

2004 Bogle Petite Sirah

2004 Bogle Petite Sirah

Be careful not to let this one get too warm! I had left it open for a few hours at room temperature on a fairly hot day. When I first tasted it, it was terrible! The flavours were sour, sharp and all disjointed. So, I decided to let it sit in the fridge for forty minutes. After being cooled a bit, the flavours of this wine settled into place. At cooler temperatures, this wine has a pleasant sugary, blackberry jam taste; quite smooth and balanced. It's not unlike a thick layer of jam on toast with side of bacon. There is, unfortunately, an artificial flavouring grit that sticks to the tongue. It is, I think, a large fault in the body of the wine.

Tasting Tags: artificial bacon blackberry grit jam

2005 St. Francis Chardonnay

2005 St. Francis Chardonnay

This wine matches fantastically well with a basil-heavy appetizer. I just had it with a plate of bruschetta and thought it to be absolutely delightful.

It is certainly not a wine to be had with a main course, or on its own; but, as an Italian accompaniment to an appetizer, it is excellent.

As bonus, it also pairs well with light, white cheeses (such as a monteray jack or white cheddar) and ranch-flavoured Pringles.

Tasting Tags: apple crisp light monster oak pear sugar

2005 Bogle Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2005 Bogle Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

A nice light peachy white. It's exactly the sort that I like to enjoy out in the late afternoon sun. Though take care to keep it chilled, this one gets a bit citric when it warms up.

Tasting Tags: citrus light peach

2002 Michael~David Merlot

2002 Michael~David Merlot

Blech. Disappointing! This wine tastes like vinegar and peanut oil. It's all sharp and corky.

It could just be that I have a bottle that went bad; maybe other bottles of this would be better. But, I figure stay away anyways. At 14$, it just isn't worth risking a bad bottle when there is such a great selection of other wines in this price range.

Tasting Tags: bad oil peanut terrible vinegar

2004 House Wine

2004 House Wine

I'll admit it: I bought this one strictly because the label made me laugh out loud.

There's a surprising amount of complexity and sophistication for a six dollar bottle. It is certainly better than any nameless house wine I've ever had.

There's a very peppery and spicy taste, and the flavours are very well seeded into the bouquet. Under the strong berry flavours are more citric tones of lemon, and something bit like poppy seed.

It should go very well with a spicy sausage. Too bad I don't have one around at the moment.

Tasting Tags: berry lemon pepper poppyseed spicy

2003 Jewel Petite Sirah

2003 Jewel Petite Sirah

I like the balance of this one. It sits evenly on the front and both sides of the tongue. A good balance is something to appreciate.

There is definitely a black cherry taste to this, much like the fresh cherries one gets at the end of summer in BC. Though the aftertaste is like a mild cranberry.

My big complaint about this one is the lack of any bouquet. Admittedly, I don't have a great glass at the moment, but I'm struggling to find any sort of aroma from this wine. It pleases the tongue, but the nose is left in boredom.

Tasting Tags: black cherry cranberry odourless

2005 Zinfatuation

2005 Zinfatuation

Let this one sit open for a long time! This wine needs a good amount of air. I had tried it shortly after opening, and it was far too brutish and ugly: I was tempted to toss it right then. However, after letting it sit for a few hours, it actually improved considerably. But, it only was after leaving it open for a full two days that it mellowed out and became a very good wine.

it does lack some balance; all the flavours are in the front of the palette. This does make it a good wine to go with a strong cheese. It quite enjoyed it with a spicy, herb cheddar. But, it's not much of a wine to drink alone.

I do like the clever name though. It's the reason I bought the bottle.

Tasting Tags: cherry

2004 Domaine des Brus

2004 Domaine des Brus

A delightful merlot. Both the initial and after taste are soft and set in for a long stay. It's somewhat peppery and tannic, but only mildly so.

There's nothing adventurous about this wine, but it is a pleasant example of a weel-rounded, softer wine from the Pays d'Oc.

It does go well with hamburgers.

Tasting Tags: pepper soft

2005 Jean de Lettes Coteaux du Languedoc

2005 Jean de Lettes Coteaux du Languedoc

A decent rose.