Wine Review – 2018 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon

This complex 2018 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon has yet to reach its peak… Name: Filius Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage: 2018 Producer: Vasse Felix Region/Country: Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia. Grape Varietal(s): 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.8% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1.2% Merlot. Alcohol Level: 14.5% Consumed: At home. Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO (local … Read more

Wine Review – 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage

This 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage offers complexity, intensity, and length coming from a blend of five Bordeaux grapes… Name: Meritage Vintage: 2015 Producer: Hogue Cellars Region/Country: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA Grape Varietal(s): 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more

Wine Review – 2019 Rocche Dei Manzoni La Matinera

This 2019 La Matinera Dolcetto d’Alba shined as a sipping wine, and it offered plentiful notes, including basil (you read that right)… Name: La Matinera Vintage: 2019 Producer: Rocche Dei Manzoni Region/Country: Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Dolcetto d’Alba Alcohol Level: 12.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: The Charlie’s Burger Wine Program team Cost: … Read more

Wine Review – 2012 Cave Spring La Penna

This Appassimento method red wine impressed us on day one, and it continued to shine 5 days later! Name: La Penna Vintage: 2012 Producer: Cave Spring Vineyard Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 17% (at this alcohol level, La Penna approaches some fortified wines) Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more

Wine Review – 2010 Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo 7 Years

A versatile Tempranillo of great value… Name: Anciano Gran Reserva 7 Years Vintage: 2010 Producer: Anciano, Bodegas Navalón Region/Country: Valdepeñas, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tempranillo Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home Recommended By: At the local liquor board store, the LCBO. Cost: $13.95 CAD If you want a more detailed wine review, read on… Bottle Presentation … Read more

Wine Review – 2017 Laurent Perrachon et Fils Moulin-à-Vent

A good Gamay from one of the better regions in Beaujolais (Moulin-à-Vent)… Name: Laurent Perrachon et Fils Moulin-à-Vent Terres Roses Vintage: 2017        Producer: Laurent Perrachon et Fils Region/Country: Appellation Moulin-à-Vent Contrôlée, Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France Grape Varietal(s): Gamay Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO Vintages section … Read more

Wine Review – 2015 Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo

A very good IGT from a spectacular region in Italy… Name: Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo Vintage: 2015        Producer: Poggio al Tufo Region/Country: Maremma Toscana, Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home on a brisk fall evening Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO … Read more

Wine Review – 2011 Numanthia

A big, bold Tempranillo from Toro, Spain… Name: Numanthia Vintage: 2011        Producer: Numanthia Region/Country: Toro, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tempranillo Alcohol Level: 14.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the Heathrow Airport Duty Free Cost: $69.00 CAD at the LCBO Bottle Presentation: An interesting combination of gothic and Egyptian styles with … Read more

Wine Review – 2009 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva

A good-to-very good Chianti Classico Riserva from the heart of the Chianti region… We very much looked forward to opening this Chianti Classico Riserva after having cellared it for a number of years. As expected, it offered a gorgeous and vibrant ruby-garnet hue, which caught more than one eye during dinner. Produced in the heart … Read more

Wine Review – 2014 Penfolds Grange

At $50 a taste (yes, for a taste), one would expect nothing short of excellence from one of Australia’s top producers… We had the pleasure of tasting the 2014 Penfolds Grange at their Barossa Valley Cellar Door in Nooriupta, South Australia. The experience proved intriguing, to say the least, especially the meticulous presentation and comprehensive … Read more