A light yet flavourful Pinot Noir that goes well with many dishes… Name: Mark West Pinot Noir Vintage 2013 Vintage: 2013 Producer: Mark West Region/Country: California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed At: Milestone’s Restaurant, Cambie Stree, Vancouver, BC Recommended By: Restaurant wine list choice Cost: $46 (restaurant list price) Bottle Presentation: Classic, but nothing … Read more
If you enjoy cranberries… Name: Domaine Bernard Defaix Bourgogne Rouge Vintage: 2014 Producer: Domaine Bernard Defaix Region/Country: Chablis, Bourgogne, France Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Simple and classy, although it could prove challenging to distinguish the label from many other offerings … Read more
Big, bold, BBQ-ready… Name: Prestige Malbec Vintage: 2010 Producer: Château Crose de Pys Region/Country: Cahors, France Grape Varietal(s): Malbec Consumed: At home Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $17.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Classic, easy to read label. Appearance: Dark ruby. Nose: Cherries, leather, earth, ash, black currant. Taste: Tannic, cherries, leather, green coffee espresso beans, black pepper. … Read more
A nice old-world wine from a fantastic region… Name: Bosco Nestore Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Vintage: 2010 Producer: Bosco Nestore & C. S.n.c. Region/Country: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Consumed: At home with a colleague from Innsbruck, Austria Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $19.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Interesting though the label … Read more
A decent red blend definitely worth a try… Name: Mas Janeil Vintage: 2009 Producer: François Lurton SA Region/Country: Côtes du Roussillon-Village, Languedoc-Roussillon, France Grape Varietal(s): 60% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 10% Syrah Consumed: At home on a Friday night (date night) Recommended By: The LCBO and Decanter (world wine awards commendation) Cost: $17.75 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, … Read more
Surprisingly herbaceous, yet good with steak… Name: The Silver Line Epic Vintage: 2010 Producer: G. Marquis Vineyards Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: LCBO Cost: $29.75 Bottle Presentation: Classic, classy, clean, and distinctive Appearance: Medium ruby red Nose: Herbs, cedar, and leather Taste: Wood, … Read more
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