Our wine reviews
I stand corrected! I actually found an Australian Shiraz I love… Name: 2012 Eight Songs Shiraz Vintage: 2012 Producer: Peter Lehmann Wines Region/Country: Barossa Valley, Australia Grape Varietal(s): Shiraz Consumed: At a tasting with the Chief Winemaker, Ian Hongell, at Sidedoor Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The Chief Winemaker himself Cost: $39.95 at Vintages (LCBO) … Read more
Big, bold, and complex… Name: Can Feixes Negre Tradició Penedès Vintage: 2008 Producer: Huguet de Can Feixes Region/Country: Penedès, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Trempanillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot (proportions unknown) Consumed: At home with BBQ Filet Mignon on a Friday night (at the end of a long week) Recommended By: Found it at the SAQ … Read more
A good Priorat on the front end, but… Name: Herència del Padrí Vintage: 2012 Producer: Bernard Magrez Region/Country: Spain Grape Varietal(s): 43% Grenache, 21.5% Carignan, 21.5% Merlot, 14% Syrah Consumed: At home Recommended By: Staff member at the SAQ in Gatineau Cost: $24.00 Bottle Presentation: Classic, plain, simple label Appearance: Medium ruby red Nose: Big! … Read more
A very nice Rioja, definitely worth the cost… Name: Baron de Chirel Rioja Reserva 2008 Vintage: 2008 Producer: Marqués de Riscal Region/Country: Rioja, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Unknown, although likely Trempranillo Consumed: At home on one of the warmest Friday nights we’ve had in months Recommended By: London Heathrow duty free store Cost: About $112 CAD … Read more
A nice Grenache Noir with notes of complexity that emerge over time… Name: Nicolas Côtes Catalanes 100% Grenache Noir Vieilles Vignes Vintage: 2013 Producer: Domaine Lafage Region/Country: Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon I.G.P., France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: LCBO Cost: 18.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Clean, simple, and understated label Appearance: Medium ruby … Read more
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