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
Another nice offering from an outstanding winery… Name: Fumé Blanc, Rosomel Vineyard Vintage: 2013 Producer: Hidden Bench Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Sauvignon Blanc Consumed: At home Recommended By: Meg, Marketing Manager at Hidden Bench Cost: $27.95 Bottle Presentation: Distinctive and easy to read. The fonts hold well together. Appearance: Pale gold Nose: Citrus, … 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
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
A very nice Rioja, definitely worth the cost… Name: Baron de Chirel Rioja Reserva 2008 Vintage: 2008 Producer: Marqués de Riscal Region/Country: Rioja, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Unknown, although likely Trempranillo Consumed: At home on one of the warmest Friday nights we’ve had in months Recommended By: London Heathrow duty free store Cost: About $112 CAD … Read more
A surprisingly good Pinot Noir… Name: Quarry Road Pinot Noir Vintage: 2011 Producer: Tawse Region/Country: Vinemount Ridge VQA Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO Cost: 34.95 CAD Bottle Presentation: Somewhat understated and gets lost among the crowd Appearance: Light ruby Nose: sour cherries when you open the … Read more
Still the best Baco Noir around… Name: Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Réserve Vintage: 2010 Producer: Henry of Pelham Winery Region/Country: Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): 100% Baco Noir Consumed: At home Recommended By: Paul Speck Cost: 24.95 CAD Presentation: A classic, simple bottle, though not I’m sure about the colour choice of the vine versus … Read more
Somewhat underwhelming… Name: MERITAGE MER’R’IYM Vintage: 2012 Producer: NK’MIP (pronounced Inkameep) Region/Country: British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley, Canada Grape Varietal(s): 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and 6% Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: My parents, who visited the winery not too long ago, and, I have to admit, the combination of varietals … Read more