Wine Review – Chrysalis Vineyards 2014 Norton Estate Bottled

Chrysalis Vineyards claims that Norton is The Real American Grape. Normally, we shy away from North American varietals given their typically green/unripe characteristics. Saying that, the 2014 Norton Estate Bottled made us rethink our position… Name: Norton Estate Bottled Vintage: 2014 Producer: Chrysalis Vineyards Region/Country: Virginia, USA Grape Varietal(s): Norton Alcohol Level: 12.8% Consumed: At … Read more

Wine Review – 2016 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut

The 2016 edition of Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Cut upholds the famous director’s legacy… Name: Director’s Cut Vintage: 2016 Producer: Francis Ford Coppola Winery Region/Country: California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO (local liquor board) Cost: $42.95 CAD … Read more

Wine Review – 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage

This 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage offers complexity, intensity, and length coming from a blend of five Bordeaux grapes… Name: Meritage Vintage: 2015 Producer: Hogue Cellars Region/Country: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA Grape Varietal(s): 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more

Wine Review – 2014 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut

Maybe it’s a little cliché, but this Director’s Cut wine’s a box office hit… This Cabernet Sauvignon from Francis Fort Coppola impressed us with its complexity and structure. Despite the alcohol giving it away as a so-called new world wine, we appreciated its old world style. The nose offered a complex, interesting bouquet, consisting of … Read more

Wine Review – 2014 Brella Pinot Noir

A classic Pinot Noir from Brella in Willamette Valley, Oregon… We enjoyed Brella’s Pinot Noir, a very good representation of the varietal. It offered classic red fruit and mushroom notes, as well as nice degrees of balance and complexity. It shined on its own, but also paired nicely with a creamy, camembert-like cheese from Quebec, … Read more

Wine Review – Waterbrook Syrah 2014

A vibrant, complex Syrah from Walla Walla Valley in Washington State… This Syrah from Waterbrook Winery in Walla Walla Valley, a region located to the south of the Columbia Valley in Washington State, impressed us with its combination of vibrancy and structure. It offered an aromatic bouquet of dark currants, red currants, vanilla, and cedar … Read more

Wine Review – Cristom Estate Viognier 2015

A very good Viognier from Willamette Valley, Oregon… Name: Estate Viognier Vintage: 2015 Producer: Cristom Vineyards Region/Country: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA Grape Varietal(s): Viognier Consumed: At home on a gorgeous, early summer evening Recommended By: Received it as a gift as part of a Wine Collective package Cost: $65 CAD Bottle Presentation: A … Read more

Wine Review – 2016 Anew Rosé

A Rosé that’s sweet in the nose, dry in the mouth, and fantastic in the hand… Name: Anew Rosé Vintage: 2016 Producer: Anew Winery, under the Château Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ group Region/Country: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA Grape Varietal(s): Syrah (93%) and Grenache (7%) Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at … Read more

Wine Review – 2013 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth

This red McPrice Myers emphasizes the “S” in GSM… Name: McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth Vintage: 2013 Producer: McPrice Myers Region/Country: Paso Robles, California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Syrah (79%), Grenache (13%), Mourvèdre (8%) Consumed: At home Recommended By: Received it as a gift as part of a Wine Collective package Cost: $66 CAD Bottle Presentation: Simple, … Read more

Wine Review – Pinot Noir Blind Tasting – December 2016

The following reviews were part of blind tasting focusing on Pinot Noir. The three wines included, touted as typical representations of their terroir/location, took us to the Bourgogne region of France, the South Island of New Zealand, and the state of Oregon in the United States. The tasting proved eye-opening, revealing how this varietal can … Read more