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Neil Lightfoot

Neil Lightfoot

3780 days ago

Neil scored this wine: 89/100

The original ripasso. Ruby red colour in the glass with a nose of dried prune, smoke and tobacco notes. Dry on the palate and medium bodied the wine has ample fruit and a warming quality. A well balanced wine with some medium tannin. This wine would pair well with your favourite tomato based dish. Night and day better than last year's vintage. Tasted Oct 2013.

Monte del Frá Bardolino 2010

D.O.C., Veneto, Italy
3780 days ago

Neil scored this wine: 88/100

Made from Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grapes (think Valpolicella) this wine has a lovely ruby red colour and beautiful nose. It smells of ripe cherry, chocolate and is accompanied by leafy undertones. The wine is medium bodied and refreshing with juicy red cherry and a smokey undertone. This is a crowd pleasing wine that pairs exceptionally well with wood fired pizza and just sings with meat based red pasta sauce. Tasted November 2013.

Hidden Bench Winery Riesling 2011

V.Q.A., Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
3801 days ago

Neil scored this wine: 91/100

Terroir really speaks to me in this pale lemon coloured Estate Riesling. A very inviting floral nose sits on a backdrop of honey, lemon and a touch of white peach. Off dry with racy acidity the palate is full of lime, lemon, grapefruit and beautiful minerality. The flavours are layered with a medium plus finish. Serve well chilled paired with white meat dishes. Exceptional and expressive. Tasted Oct 2013.

Kacaba Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2012

Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
3801 days ago

Neil scored this wine: 89/100

A beautifully crisp and very refreshing unoaked chardonnay. The wine is medium lemon in colour and aromas of pear, apple, and melon lift out of the glass. Stone fruit, apple and zippy lemon citrus dance on your palate. There is a great medium plus weight to the wine coming from it's resting on it's lees and the finish medium in length. This wine would make the perfect pairing with a salad, white meat or fish. I've found my new "go to" unoaked chard under $15. Tasted Oct 2013.

Château des Charmes Chardonnay 2010

V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
3806 days ago

Neil scored this wine: 90/100

Medium gold and rich in colour, this dry full bodied chardonnay is elegant and delicious. Barrel fermented and aged "sur lie" up to 12 months in French oak barrels this wine has gained fantastic complexity and depth. Aromas jump out of the glass with great intensity and I noted youthful notes of apple, pear, melon, pineapple and vanilla. On the palate I enjoyed flavours of tropical fruit, warm baking spices, honey, butter and cream. There was an underlying smokiness present but the toast was not overbearing which I appreciated. There is a very pleasant round mouthfeel imparted by ageing on it's yeast and medium plus acidity and medium alcohol give the wine great structure and body. I would rate this wine very good quality and would love to see what it does in the bottle over the next few years. There is great complexity in this fantastic food wine and terrific value for the money. Tasted Oct 2013.

Neil Lightfoot

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