Alex Kitayama

9.1

First time trying Xinomavro from Naoussa, aka “the Bartolo of Greece.” Juicy dark fruit & sweet spice aromas are so inviting. High tannins, but it’s relatively lean w/ sour cherry, herbaceous flavors w/ a hint of leather. Highly recommended. — 7 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.2

In the middle of dog days of summer, when the late afternoon sun is blazing and the breeze is heavy with humidity, opening a chilled bottle of crisp, fruity and zesty Sauvignon Blanc is too great a temptation to resist.

I have to admit, though, I'm a newbie to this grape variety. As a regular reds drinker and a big fan of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc never ranked high on my list. Things changed last late summer, when I encountered the beautiful bottle of Cloudy Bay from Marlborough on the South Island of New Zealand. It opened my eyes, not to mention my palate.

Since then, I usually choose NZ Sauvignon Blanc over those from Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre in the Loire Valley, France, especially in the summer months.

The classic French examples tend to be more elegant and creamy thanks to oak barrel fermentation and aging. Its flinty aroma, a gift of the terroir, is world-renown. On the other hand, the NZ Sauvignon Blanc is more expressive, showing off its lively aromas loaded with fresh fruit flavors, successfully retained by fermentation in stainless steel or concrete vat. This style of Sauvignon Blanc has set itself apart from its French cousins and put New Zealand on the map.

I've opened four different NZ Sauvignon Blanc, all from Marlborough, around the C$19 range over the last few weeks, including Villa Maria Cellar Selection 2016, Momo 2015, Kim Crawford 2016 and Astrolabe Province 2016. Among them, I like Villa Maria the most.

The pungent aroma with white peach, nectarine, passion fruit, gooseberry, lime and grape fruit is just intoxicating.

The first sip is almost like biting into a juicy, underripe white peach and Granny Smith apple, followed by zesty grapefruit and gooseberry, and then a slice of passion fruit kicks in. The hint of grass and crushed rock definitely adds another layer of complexity. Then the vibrant flavor lingers with a subtle green pepper note.

I paired with a wide range of dishes. The wine's refreshing sweetness and zest beautifully enhanced the spicy kick of Thai green curry and the cheesiness of margarita pizza. It nicely complemented grilled salmon and a big bowl of salad thanks to its crispness and subtle herbal note and minerality.

Still, this is a perfect summer wine to drink solo. As the glaring sun slowly goes down, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc guarantees to quench the thirst on a warm midsummer's evening. Cheers! — 7 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.2

2016 Shiraz. W/ fresh raspberry, sweet spice & dark chocolate aroma, layers of jammy red fruit, black fruit and dark chocolate woven together, followed by a hint of eucalyptus, spice and earthiness. Silky tannins w/ a long finish. I enjoyed it. This wine speaks for itself. @MitoloWines — 7 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.0

The fruit-forward and well-balanced 2014 Mitolo Jester Shiraz is a great example of the elegant Australian Shiraz.

A whiff of herbs and black tea, followed by assortment of black fruit aromas, it almost reminds me of the style of Malbec from Cahors.

It's youthful, packed with black and red fruit flavors, but a hint of spice, dark chocolate and liquorice adds more complexity.

Tannin isn't so grippy, as acidity isn't so overwhelming. Medium-plus body and bright finish.

It's solid and a great buy for the price point. Highly recommended. — 8 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.5

Burst of red and black fruit complements this structured, intense and complex wine perfectly. Hint of vanilla, dark chocolate and peppercorn adds more layers to the flavor palette. — 8 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.0

Intense aromas of plum, black cherry and raisin with earthy and oregano undernotes. Smooth, velvety and round mouthfeel, as a hint of earthiness and gameyness comes as a pleasant surprise. The Ripasso method adds subtle Amarone-like sweetness and richness. It's a great wine for this price point. — 8 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.2

With vanilla and sweet spice aroma, fresh red fruit and dark chocolate dance around in the mouth. High acidity and tannins, and medium body. For the freshness, even not-so-much red drinkers can enjoy it. For the price, it’s an amazing wine. — 7 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.5

My journey of Spanish wines continues.!
Despite the length of maturation, fresh red and black fruit, such as plums, cherries and berries punch your nose at first sniff. Then aroma of vanilla, chocolate and nutmeg flirts you with a subtle hint of meatiness.
The mouthfeel is both intense and smooth. Like the aroma, a cluster of red and black fruit explodes in your mouth, followed by luscious vanilla and chocolate. It's weighty but the finish is pleasantly smooth.
Don't get overwhelmed by its high acidity, though. Yes, it's very acidic, but it complements so well salty and fatty dishes.
This wine displays such unique characteristics of terroir. Plus, it's a beautiful food-friendly wine. Highly recommended. — 8 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.5

Rich and structured. Fragrant and full-body with assortment of fresh and cooked black fruit flavors. Dark chocolate and savory with a hint of vanilla add more intensity. High acidity, high tannin and long finish. — 8 years ago

Alex Kitayama

9.2

It's an all round player - fruity, full-bodied and smooth with little acidity and tannin. It pairs well with pretty much everything, including beef, chicken and salmon. It's a good wine to bring to any gatherings. The price point is reasonable for a vintage wine - C$22. — 8 years ago