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
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
A food-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon blend that will only improve with age… Name: The Cabernets Vintage: 2014 Producer: Skillogalee Region/Country: Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the winery itself, but some of Skillogalee’s offerings are available at the local liquor … Read more
A fantastic Barbera, showcasing vibrant red fruit and great acidity. As a bonus, this food-friendly wine comes at a great price point… Name: Maraia Vintage: 2017 Producer: Marchesi di Barolo Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Barbera Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the local liquor board store, the LCBO. Cost: $19.95 … Read more
A great Bordeaux-style blend at an enticing price point… Name: The Point Vintage: 2015 Producer: Te Whau Vineyard Region/Country: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased it in a local wine shop on Waiheke Island while visiting the gorgeous … Read more
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
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
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
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
This outstanding Barbera d’Alba had us at the cork… Everything about this Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy, exuded class, starting with the patterned cork, which gave off an alluring aroma of pipe tobacco. Balanced, complex, and vivacious, this red wine offered everything you could want in a Barbera. Vibrant red fruit, most notably cherries and … Read more