A surprisingly good Pinot Noir… Name: Quarry Road Pinot Noir Vintage: 2011 Producer: Tawse Region/Country: Vinemount Ridge VQA Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO Cost: 34.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Somewhat understated and gets lost among the crowd Appearance: Light ruby Nose: sour cherries when you open the … Read more
Still the best Baco Noir around… Name: Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Réserve Vintage: 2010 Producer: Henry of Pelham Winery Region/Country: Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): 100% Baco Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Paul Speck Cost: 24.95 CAD Presentation: A classic, simple bottle, though not I’m sure about the colour choice of the vine versus … Read more
Somewhat underwhelming… Name: MERITAGE MER’R’IYM Vintage: 2012 Producer: NK’MIP (pronounced Inkameep) Region/Country: British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley, Canada Grape Varietal(s): 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and 6% Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: My parents, who visited the winery not too long ago, and, I have to admit, the combination of varietals … Read more
Uniquely Swiss… Name: Humagne Blanc Vintage: 2013 Producer: Robert Gilliard Region/Country: Valais, Switzerland Grape Varietal(s): Humagne Blanche Consumed: At home Recommended By: The wine store owner in Lausanne Cost: 30 CAD Bottle Presentation: Elegant, beautiful bottle and label. Appearance: Light gold. Nose: Minerals, flowers, and pears. Taste: Toastiness, minerals, and flowers, with a nice amount … Read more
An enjoyable, ‘old-world’ style Saint-Émilion… Name: Château Haut-Corbin Vintage: 2000 Producer: Château Haut-Corbin Region/Country: Saint-Émilion, France Grape Varietal(s): 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO Cost: 58.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: A classic bottle, though not sure about the slash of writing across the front. … Read more
Expected a lot more… Name: Viña Ardanza, Reserva Vintage: 2004 Producer: La Rioja Alta, S.A. Region/Country: Rioja, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Trempanillo, Garnacha (Grenache) Consumed: Chambar Restaurant, Vancouver, British Columbia Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, who touted the wine as an “amazing millésime” and “to die for” Cost: 130 CAD Bottle Appearance: A traditional-looking label with … Read more
For a new world Pinot Noir, it is worth trying. Name: Vintage Pinot Noir Vintage: 2013 Producer: Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyards Region/Country: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Mom, who purchased it while in Oregon Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Busy and somewhat overdone. Not sure how the … Read more
A superb Spanish offering… Name: Serras del Priorat Vintage: 2010 Producer: Clos Figueras Region/Country: Priorat, Spain Grape Varietal(s): 65% Grenache, 15% Mazuela (Carignan), 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Consumed: August 2, 2015, at the Château Montebello BBQ restaurant. This fantastic place opens during the summer months only, so plan your stay accordingly. Recommended By: Justin, … Read more
One of the best chardonnays I have tasted… Name: Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Chardonnay Vintage: 2013 Producer: Mer Soleil Vineyard Region/Country: Rutherford, California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Chardonnay Consumed: At home Recommended by: A colleague Cost: 34.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Colourful, distinct yellow label. Stands out on the shelf. Appearance: Nice golden colour. Nose: … Read more
An engaging Châteauneuf-du-Pape… Name: La Célestière Vintage: 2009 Producer: SCEA La Célestière Region/Country: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France Grape Varietal(s): Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre Consumed: At home Recommended by: Happened upon it at the LCBO Cost: 59.00 CAD Bottle Appearance: Interesting font, clean, somewhere between traditional and modern. Appearance: Dark ruby red. Nose: Chocolate, leather, and grilled meat (maybe … Read more