A very good, home grown, Pinot Noir… Name: Pinot Noir Vintage: 2012 Producer: Stoneboat Vineyards Region/Country: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: End of the bin at the LCBO Cost: $29.95 Bottle Presentation: Simple, unassuming label, which would blend in with many others on the shelf Appearance: … Read more
You know you have a great bottle of wine when you look forward to drinking it again… Name: CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Vintage: 2009 Producer: Tenuta CastelGiocondo, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Region/Country: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese Consumed: October 1st 2016 at home Recommended By: LCBO vintages Cost: $50 Bottle Presentation: Classic and distinctive. We … Read more
Young, full-bodied, and Intense… Name: Supreno Vintage: 2013 Producer: Alma – Santa Maria della Versa Region/Country: Puglia, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese, Merlot Consumed: Firegrill Restaurant, Montreal Recommended By: An amiable waitress at the Firegrill Restaurant Cost: $59.00 Bottle Presentation: Modern, bordering on dramatic (somehow reminiscent of Dracula), would definitely stand out on the shelf Appearance: … Read more
Able to pair with multiple foods… Name: Château du Port Vintage: 2009 Producer: Domaine Pelvillain Frères Region/Country: Cahors, France Grape Varietal(s): Malbec 90%, Merlot 10% Consumed: At Aux Chantignolles Restaurant, Fairmont Le Château Montebello Recommended By: Marie-France, the Maître D. Cost: N/A Bottle Presentation: Classic, conservative – unlikely to catch your eye on the shelf … Read more
Pleasantly surprised by this lighter Italian red… Name: Matto Barolo Vintage: 2011 Producer: Matto Wines Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Nebbiolo Consumed: At Vittoria Trattoria Restaurant Recommended By: Chosen from the wine list Cost: $75 Bottle Presentation: Modern and distinct. Part of the label reminded us of an inkblot. Appearance: Light garnet, which is surprising … Read more
Bring on the pizza and pasta… Name: Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore Vintage: 2014 Producer: Folonari Region/Country: Veneto, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara Consumed: Le Vieux Four Manago, Saint-Sauveur Recommended By: Restaurant server Cost: $38 at the restaurant (apparently $19.95 at SAQ) Bottle Presentation: Classic, rich look Appearance: Medium-dark ruby Nose: Sour cherries, leather, … Read more
An intriguing IGT with a beautiful bottle that divulges its secrets over time… Name: Diadema Vintage: 2009 Producer: Diadema Wine & Champagne, SRL Region/Country: Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah Consumed: June 24, 2016 at home Recommended By: A good friend (we received it as a wedding gift) Cost: … Read more
Reminiscent of Port, but a little more subdued… Name: Banyuls Reserva Vintage: N.V. Producer: NV Domaine La Tour Vieille Region/Country: Roussillon, France Grape Varietal(s): Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, and Carignan Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Traditional, easy to read, but nothing distinctive Appearance: Dark ruby … Read more
13 varietals all in one Châteauneuf-du-Pape… Name: Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vintage: 2012 Producer: Domaine Mathieu Region/Country: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France Grape Varietal(s): To the best of our knowledge, the varietals consist of Grenache (85%), Mourvèdre (5%), Syrah (3%), and 10 others (7%) Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: … Read more
Somewhere between a Syrah and a Cabernet Franc… Name: J&J Eger Winery Eged Hegy Kékfrankos Vintage: 2011 Producer: J&J Eger Winery Region/Country: Eger, Hungary Grape Varietal(s): Kékfrankos Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Classy modern Appearance: Dark ruby red Nose: Cigar box, vanilla, and leather Taste: … Read more