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
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
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
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
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
Revealed its charm over time… Name: Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas Vintage: 2011 Producer: Pierre Amadieu Region/Country: Gigondas, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Consumed: At home Recommended by: Happened upon it at the LCBO Cost: 22.75 CAD Bottle Presentation: A classic label, although the picture on the foil seems like overkill. Appearance: Light-medium ruby red. … Read more
New world all the way… Name: Alakai Vintage: 2000 Producer: Joel Gott Wines Region/Country: California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Grenache Consumed: At home Recommended by: SAQ Cost: $25.05 CAD Bottle Presentation: Classic, easy to read label Appearance: Medium-dark ruby red Nose: Initially, very fruit forward (sour cherries) with some bacon, but after a good decant, more … Read more