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
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