Wine Review – Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Wine Review – Domaine Bernard Defaix Bourgogne Rouge

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

Wine Review – Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve

Honey, honey, honey… Name: Trimbach Pinot Gris Réserve Vintage: 2012 Producer: Trimbach Estate Region/Country: Alsace, France Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Gris Consumed: Atelier Restaurant in Ottawa Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, Gabriel Cost: Unknown Bottle Presentation: Classic, easy to read label Appearance: Pale gold Nose: Citrus, honey Taste: Citrus, honey, melon Finish: Long honey notes Overall … Read more

Wine Review – Château Croze de Pys Prestige Malbec

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

Wine Review – Mas Janeil 2009

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

Wine Review – Nicolas Côtes Catalanes Grenache Noir

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

Wine Review – Château Haut-Corbin 2000

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

Wine Review – La Célestière 2009

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

Wine Review – Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas 2011

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

Wine Review – Costes de Beyrac – Buzet

An amazing rosé… Name: Costes de Beyrac – Buzet Vintage: 2014 Producer: Costes de Beyrac Region/Country: Buzet, France Grape Varietal(s): Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon Consumed: At home, though purchased in Paris Recommended By: The wine store clerk, who was informative and, in his own way, kind of cute. Cost: 4.90 € Bottle Presentation: Clean, … Read more