Wine Review – 2016 JC Vizcarra

The 2016 edition of Bodega Vizcarra’s JC Vizxarra Ribera Del Duero showcases the region’s mastery of Tempranillo… Name: JC Vizcarra Vintage: 2016 Producer: Bodega Vizcarra Region/Country: Ribera Del Duero, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tempranillo Alcohol Level: 14% abv. Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO (local liquor board) Cost: $28.25 CAD For the … Read more

Wine Review – 2010 Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo 7 Years

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

Wine Review – 2011 Numanthia

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

Wine Review – 2011 Numanthia, Toro, Spain

A fantastic, intense expression of Tempranillo… We adored the intense aromas and tastes of this fantastic 2011 Numanthia from Bodega Numanthia in Toro, Spain. With outstanding balance and complexity, this Tempranillo offered a wonderful bouquet on the nose, including tobacco, leather, hickory spice, vanilla, anise, and grilled steak. In the mouth, more grilled steak emerged, … Read more

Wine Review Special – Putting Emilie to the Test: A Blind Tasting of Two Juicy Reds

In the end, the Spanish red blend took the honours in this blind tasting… Wanting to hone Emilie’s tasting skills, Ryan surprised her with an impromptu blind tasting on a gorgeous summer night. It was a good way to see if the skills she developed during the WSET Level 2 course in Wines & Spirits … Read more

Wine Review – 2007 Monasterio de las Viñas Gran Reserva

A layered Spanish red blend at an outstanding price… Name: Monasterio de la Viñas Gran Reserva Vintage: 2007 Producer: San José de Aguarón Region/Country: Cariñena, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Tempranillo, and Carignan Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO based on the blend Cost: $17.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: A … Read more

Wine Review – 2014 Torres Celeste Crianza

Could benefit from additional time in bottle… Name: Celeste Crianza Vintage: 2014 Producer: Torres Region/Country: Ribera Del Duero, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tinto fino (Tempranillo) Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise. Recommended By: Selected from the wine list on the cruise ship. Cost: $42 USD ($20.95 CAD at the LCBO) Bottle Presentation: A clean, classy label, with … Read more

Wine Review – Can Feixes Negre Tradició Penedès 2008

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

Wine Review – Viña Ardanza Reserva 2004

Expected a lot more… Name: Viña Ardanza, Reserva Vintage: 2004 Producer: La Rioja Alta, S.A. Region/Country: Rioja, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Trempanillo, Garnacha (Grenache) Consumed: Chambar Restaurant, Vancouver, British Columbia Recommended By: The restaurant sommelier, who touted the wine as an “amazing millésime” and “to die for” Cost: 130 CAD Bottle Appearance: A traditional-looking label with … Read more