Our wine reviews
An off-dry, yet surprisingly salty Viognier from our friends at La Frenz… We have long enjoyed Okanagan wines and came across this La Frenz Viognier at one of our favourite wine shops in Vancouver. We appreciated the balance of this wine, despite the relatively high alcohol rating (14.7%). At the same time, we found the … Read more
This Escudo Rojo blend could use more time in cellar… This Chilean red blend, a classy-looking offering bearing the heralded name of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, came across as bold, sharp, and a little aggressive, with green cedar notes and gritty tannins. And that was after having decanted it for a good hour. We’d recommend … Read more
A big, bold Barolo we would definitely drink again… Name: Barolo Vintage: 2012 Producer: Batasiolo Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Nebbiolo Consumed: At La Cucina restaurant in North Vancouver, Canada Recommended By: Picked it off the wine list Cost: $72 CAD (although we found it for $29.95 CAD at the LCBO) Bottle Presentation: A simple, … Read more
A Merlot-Sangiovese blend with excellent potential… Name: La Vite Lucente Vintage: 2014 Producer: Luce della Vite, Frescobaldi Region/Country: Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Merlot and Sangiovese Alcohol content: 13.5% Consumed: At Bella Gelateria and Pizzeria in Vancouver, Canada Recommended By: Picked it off the wine list at the restaurant Cost: $75 CAD at the restaurant (available … Read more
An easy-to-drink Greek white wine using an indigenous varietal, Malagouzia… Name: Malagouzia Matsa Vintage: 2015 Producer: Roxani Matsa Estate, Boutari Wines Region/Country: Attica, Greece Grape Varietal(s): Malagouzia Consumed: At home Recommended By: The duty-free shop at the Athens airport Cost: Unknown (it was a gift) Bottle Presentation: A clean, classy label written in Greek (we … Read more
A balanced, complex South African red blend at a tremendously good price… Name: Glenelly Grand Vin Vintage: 2010 Producer: Glenelly Estate Region/Country: Stellenbosch, South Africa Grape Varietal(s): Syrah (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (20%), Petit Verdot (10%) Consumed: At home Recommended By: The last chance bin at the LCBO (though other locations, especially in the … Read more
If you enjoy tart wines, this Albariño will be up your alley… Name: Follas Novas Albariño Vintage: 2015 Producer: Paco and Lola Region/Country: Rias Baixas, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Albariño Consumed: At home on another beautiful summer evening. Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO. Cost: $19.75 CAD Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, modern, textured … Read more
A well-balanced, unoaked Chardonnay from Cave Spring to tickle your palate… Name: Chardonnay Musqué Vintage: 2013 Producer: Cave Spring Region/Country: VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Chardonnay Musqué Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased it from the winery after a wonderful tasting with Tom Pennachetti, Vice President, Marketing and Sales for Cave Spring. … Read more
An excellent Cabernet Franc from Pillitteri that was well worth the wait… Name: Cabernet Franc Family Reserve Vintage: 2002 Producer: Pillitteri Region/Country: VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home as part of a birthday celebration (not saying which one). Recommended By: Received it as a gift from a beloved source. Cost: … Read more
A very good Viognier from Willamette Valley, Oregon… Name: Estate Viognier Vintage: 2015 Producer: Cristom Vineyards Region/Country: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA Grape Varietal(s): Viognier Consumed: At home on a gorgeous, early summer evening Recommended By: Received it as a gift as part of a Wine Collective package Cost: $65 CAD Bottle Presentation: A … Read more