Wines by the Bottle

Question 1

2022 Torrent Bay Sauvignon Blanc - Motueka, NZ 82 Dollars BTB

Answer 1

Torrent Bay Sauvignon Blanc

-Medium-light body, bone dry, medium-plus acidity
-Motueka has a slightly warmer climate than the rest of New Zealand, which means that it’s a smoother wine, with less of that mouthburning acidity that you find in Marlborough, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This one is more food pairing friendly.
-Delicate palate featuring grapefruit juice, lime, passionfruit, and a hint of honey.
-It concludes with a clean, acidic, and slightly minerally finish.
-Strong aromas of artichoke, freshly cut grass, and gooseberry dominate the nose.

Question 2

2017 Torre Mora ‘Chiuse Vidalba’ Etna Rosso DOC - Sicily, IT 155 Dollars BTB

Answer 2

Torre Mora ‘Chiuse Vidalba’ Etna Rosso

-Uses a Nerelo Mascarele grape, a rare Sicilian grape that’s most similar to Pinot Noir, but more dark and rich.
-Its volcanic soil origins contribute an earthy, smoky undertone.
-Medium-full body, dry, with medium tannins, and medium acidity.
-The palate is soft and velvety, showcasing an attack of coffee and blueberry, which later adds flavours of rose petals and cinnamon.
-The finish is long and spicy, featuring Balsamic and anise notes
-It greets you with a complex bouquet of mulberry and strawberry jam, with oak aging adding cedar and cacao nuances.

Question 3

2020 Nicholas Pearce ‘Rue Naujac 33’ Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley, WA 96 Dollars BTB

Answer 3

Nicholas Pearce ‘Rue Naujac 33’ Cabernet Sauvignon

-Medium-full bodied, bone dry, with medium-plus tannins, and medium acidity.
-The palate presents a soft texture with flavors of vanilla, red cherry, and leather.
-The wine is fruity and smoky, with a long finish presenting a welcome surprise of blueberry pie.
-It’s a delightful, full bodied and high tannin yet easy-drinking wine with a sweet edge despite its acidity. The wine’s fruity nature tempers its dryness and acidity, resulting in a well-balanced, easy-drinking option that pairs well with main courses.
-The nose is rich with jammy aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, and chocolate.

Question 4

2019 Diego Conterno, Barolo del Comune di Monforte d’Alba - Langhe, IT 240 Dollars BTB

Answer 4

Diego Conterno Barolo

-Full bodied, bone dry, with high tannins and a high vibrant acidity.
-The palate showcases cherry, strawberry, tobacco, and cloves, finishing with subtle violet notes and earthy undertones.
-With its intense character, this wine is the most robust on the menu and is best enjoyed after decanting.
-The nose is rich with rose petals, dried cherry, sandalwood, and earthy mushroom aromas.

Question 5

2022 Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy ‘Terre de Maimbray’, Sancerre - Loire Valley 128 Dollars BTB

Answer 5

-Sancerre must be a Sauvignon Blanc from the Sancerre AOC in Loire Valley, France, which indicates that it’s a higher quality.
- Medium-light body, dry, with a pronounced acidity
-More full bodied and fruit forward version of Sancerre
-The palate delivers refreshing flavours of melon, pear, peach, and honeysuckle
-Medium-plus length finish with a clean profile.
-Vibrant aromas of lemon and lime zest, apple, pear, and a subtle minerality.
-The other Sancerre is more medium-high acidity, with limestone minerality, lemon, and green apple. Shorter finish. Lots of green notes on the nose with gooseberry and lemongrass. Less fruity.

Question 6

2021 Santiago Ruiz Albariño - Rías Baixas, ES 115 Dollars BTB

Answer 6

Santiago Ruiz Albarino

-Light-bodied, bone dry, with medium-plus acidity.
-A lively mineral edge is tied in to that acidity.
-The palate offers refreshing flavours of melon, pear, peach, and honeysuckle.
-Medium-plus length finish, maintaining the clean profile.
-The nose offers vibrant notes of lemon and lime zest, apple, pear, and a subtle minerality.

Question 7

Luna d’Agosto Chardonnay Langhe 94 Dollars BTB

Answer 7

Luna d’Agosto Chardonnay Langhe

-Medium-full bodied, dry, with a medium acidity, and a fruity character.
-Very little oakiness compared to other Chardonnays on the menu, which are already less oaky.
-Crisper flavour profile, but still sweeter than Ontario Chardonnay.
-The palate offers a harmonious blend of melon, pear, honey, and mineral notes.
-Medium length, juicy and refreshing finish.
-Aromas of lemon, elderflower, and green apple.

Question 8

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 78 Dollars BTB

Answer 8

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc

-Medium-light bodied, bone dry, and exhibits a vibrant acidity that remains pleasantly mild.
-Palate of underripe mango, green apple, and grapefruit.
-Medium-long finish marked by zesty citrus, and a subtle spiciness reminiscent of arugula or pepper.
-Aromas of lemon, pear, and freshly cut grass.

Question 9

Cave Springs ‘Adam Steps’ Riesling 75 Dollars BTB

Answer 9

Cave Springs ‘Adam Steps’ Riesling

-The Panachetti family has fashioned the Cave Springs ‘Adam Steps’ Riesling after the renowned Rieslings of the Mosel River, despite cultivating the grapes in Ontario.
-Medium-bodied, straddling the line between dry and off-dry, with medium-high acidity.
-The palate is rich yet crisp with subtle yellow apple, orange rind, and honeysuckle flavors, as well as a strong(and potentially overpowering) petrol note.
-A long finish brings out notes of stone fruit and pineapple, while softening the petrol flavour.
-Some people taste the petrol flavour, while others do not. It can be strong for some people.
-Nose of honey, guava, and lemon.
-The Canoe Riesling is fairly similar, as it’s made by the same family in the same region; however, it’s a bit more round and less sharp. It’s also fruitier.

Question 10

2021 Starmont Chardonnay - Napa Valley, CA 128 Dollars BTB

Answer 10

Starmont Chardonnay

-Full-bodied, off-dry, medium acidity wine–which harmoniously balances acidity with sweetness.
-Possesses the Chardonnay “varietal character” but is less oaky, buttery, and sweet.
-The palate offers a creamy lemon custard flavor, complemented by hints of melon and a subtle oak influence.
-The wine’s finish drops the lemon and melon notes that were present for the attack, it carries on the vanilla note, and adds notes of baking spices–for a delightful finish that contrasts with it’s opening.

Question 11

Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino 245 Dollars BTB

Answer 11

Brunello di Montalcino

-Made from Sangiovese grapes
-Medium-full bodied, bone-dry, with medium-high tannins and medium-high acidity.
-The palate is firm and expressive, showcasing blackberry, raspberry, vanilla, and walnut.
-The tannins become more pronounced on the finish, with a hint of minerality, preparing the palate for the next sip.
-Aromas of strawberry, red plum, and sour cherry, alongside cloves, cinnamon, and cedar wood.

Question 12

Domaine du Gour Gigondas 138 Dollars BTB

Answer 12

Domaine du Gour Gigondas

-GSM Rhone Blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah.
-Medium-full bodied, dry, with soft medium tannins and medium acidity
-On the palate, soft dusty tannins and balanced acidity enhance fruit forward flavors of cherry, plum, and mashed raspberry, with subtle hints of vanilla and spices.
-The finish features well-integrated tannins and a lively acidity.
-Aromas of light leather, tobacco, oak, and jammy dark fruit greet the nose.

Question 13

Chehalem Winery Pinot Noir 132 Dollars BTB

Answer 13

Chehalem Winery Pinot Noir

-Easy drinking. On the lighter side of Pinot Noir.
-Medium-light bodied, straddling the line between bone dry and dry, with medium-low tannins and medium-high acidity.
-Flavors of tart cherry, pomegranate, and cola with a slight mineral note.
-The nose offers modest aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and vanilla with a slightly earthy quality.

Question 14

2019 Château de La Chaize ‘Brouilly’ - Beaujolais 100 Dollars BTB

Answer 14

Château de La Chaize ‘Brouilly’

-There are 10 crus(very small regions) within the Beaujolais region that are known for producing the top 15% of Gamay wines in the world. ‘Brouilly’ is one of them.
-Even lighter bodied than Pinot Noir
-Very light-bodied, bone dry wine, medium-low tannins, and high acidity.
-Flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry, and dried flowers, complemented by subtle violet and earthy undertones.
-Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and spice.

Question 15

2020 Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Malbec - Mendoza, AR 64 Dollars BTB

Answer 15

Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Malbec

-Medium-full bodied, sweet, with medium-low tannins, and medium acidity
-Velvety, mouthcoating texture.
-Palate contains strong note of overripe cherry, with a bit of blackberry, and vanilla in the background. Some people find the overripe cherry to be overpowering and cloying.
-More nuanced finish of violet, spice, and licorice.
-Aromas of cherry, black pepper, and oak.

Question 16

2020 Cave Spring ‘Biff ‘s’ Estate Grown Cabernet Franc - Niagara, ON 80 Dollars

Answer 16

Biff’s Cabernet Franc

-Medium-bodied, dry wine with medium-low tannins, and medium high acidity.
-On the palate, it presents dried red fruit notes of raspberry and cherry, complemented by subtle hints of black tea and caramel.
-Noticeably short finish with a notable black tea note, creating a mouthpuckering effect.
-The nose is aromatic with fresh raspberries, black pepper, clove, and leather.

Question 17

NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne 240 Dollars BTB

Answer 17

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne

-47 percent Chardonnay grapes, 36 percent Pinot Noir grapes, and 17 percent Pinot Meunier grapes.
-Grapes are sourced from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in the Champagne region.
-Medium-full body, off-dry with a vibrant acidity and effervescence.
-Offers, refined and persistent bubbles. It has that wonderfully toasty and acidicness that many people look for in Champagne.
-The “Yellow Label” Brut is known for its bright fruit flavors (pear, apple, peach), balanced acidity, and signature notes of toasted brioche, vanilla, and hints of almond.
-Medium-long, crisp finish with a hint of raspberry that adds a delightful touch.
-Aromas of lemon zest and grapefruit.

Question 18

Domaine La Loyane Rose 118 Dollars BTB

Answer 18

Domaine La Loyane Rose

-Medium-bodied, dry wine with medium acidity
-Despite its dryness, the creamy mouthfeel and fruit-forward structure lend it an off-dry perception.
-The nose bursts with strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon, complemented by heady floral notes.
-On the palate, these fruity elements persist, enriched by a creamy texture, grapefruit and lemon zest, and a slight spiciness.
-The finish is medium-long.

Question 19

J.M. Sholer Pinot Gris Winzenberg Grand Cru 102 Dollars BTB

Answer 19

J.M. Sholer Pinot Gris Winzenberg Grand Cru

-In Alsace, Grand Cru indicates that the wine is of the best quality. There is no better wine than that. There’s a strict process for the classification.
-Medium-bodied, off-dry wine with medium acidity.
-You get soft tannins because the wine is fermented with the skins for 10 days.
-Alsace Pinot Gris has a lovely balance between sweetness and acidity, and can produce wines ranging from dry to sweet.
-Aromas of wild strawberry, wild raspberry compote, honey, and walnuts greet the nose.
-The palate features lush wild strawberry and raspberry compote, with umami tomato and orange zest adding depth.
-Not a traditional

Question 20

DeLoach Chardonnay 74 Dollars BTB

Answer 20

DeLoach Chardonnay

-Medium-full bodied, off-dry wine with medium acidity.
-Fairly buttery and creamy, it avoids the excessive heaviness typical of many Californian Chardonnays.
-Not too oaky but more oaky than the Starmont Chardonnay.
-The palate delivers flavors of golden apple, Bosc pear, honey, and a subtle oakiness.
-The finish is medium-long, featuring refreshing bursts of melon and cantaloupe.
-

Question 21

Chateau Lestrille Capmartin 100 Dollars BTB

Answer 21

Chateau Lestrille Capmartin

-92% Merlot grape, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
-Medium-full bodied, bone dry, with medium somewhat grippy tannins, and medium high acidity. On the fruitier side.
-Flavours of red plum, cherry, and pencil shavings.
-Aromas of tobacco, leather, cassis, and blackberry
-