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 – 2009 Hester Creek Cabernet Franc Reserve

Not your typical Cabernet Franc, but still a fantastic offering from Hester Creek… Name: Hester Creek Cabernet Franc Reserve Block 3 Vintage: 2009 Producer: Hester Creek Region/Country: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home Recommended By: A gift from a trusted source Cost: $28.99 CAD Bottle Presentation: Distinctive, classy label, … Read more

Wine Review – 2011 Domaine de la Baume Terres Viognier-Chardonnay

An intriguing white blend with plenty to offer… Name: Terres Vintage: 2011 Producer: Domaine de la Baume Region/Country: Languedoc Roussillon (Pays d’Oc), France Grape Varietal(s): Viognier (70%) and Chardonnay (30%) Consumed: At home Recommended By: A trusted friend Cost: $23 CAD Bottle Presentation: Classy, elegant label, with a notably heavy bottle. Appearance: Medium gold Nose: … Read more

Wine Review – Benito Santos Pequeño Santos Albariño 2016

A lovely, balanced Albariño from Benito Santos… Name: Pequeño santos Vintage: 2016 Producer: Benito Santos Region/Country: D.O. Rias Baixas, Spain Grape Varietal(s): 100% Albariño Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise. Recommended By: A wine shop in the Boqueria Market in Barcelona, Spain – worth a visit in itself! Cost: About 10 Euros Bottle Presentation: A colourful, … Read more

Wine Review – Matua Pinot Noir 2014

A good Pinot Noir from Matua with an interesting nose… Name: Matua Vintage: 2014 Producer: Matua Valley Wines Region/Country: Marlborough, New Zealand Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Selected from the wine list on the cruise ship. Cost: $42 USD ($12.95 CAD at the LCBO) Bottle Presentation: Clean, classy aqua-blue … Read more

Wine Review – Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2014

A good example of a Provence Rosé… Name: Cape Bleue Rosé Vintage: 2014 Producer: Jean-Luc Colombo Region/Country: Provence, France Grape Varietal(s): Syrah (67%) and Mourvèdre (33%) Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Selected from the wine list on the cruise ship. Cost: $43 USD Bottle Presentation: A colourful, clean, and interesting label that seems … Read more

Wine Review – Meiomi Pinot Noir 2015

Not a typical Pinot Noir, but well worth a look… Name: Meiomi Vintage: 2015 Producer: Meiomi, Constellation Brands Region/Country: A blend from Monterrey County, Sonoma County, and Santa Barbara County, California Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Vintages Wine Bar sommelier  on the cruise ship Cost: $27.95 CAD at the … Read more

Wine Review – Yangarra Estate GSM 2007

What you’d expect from a McLaren Vale GSM… Name: Yangarra Estate GSM, Cadenzia Vintage: 2007 Producer: Yangarra Estate Vineyard Region/Country: McLaren Vale, South Australia Grape Varietal(s): Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Consumed: On a Mediterranean cruise Recommended By: Vintages Wine Bar sommelier on the cruise ship Cost: $12 USD per glass on the cruise ship (although we … Read more

Wine Review – Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé 2015

A delightful, balanced, and complex rosé from Hidden Bench… Name: Locust Lane Rosé Vintage: 2015 Producer: Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Unknown Consumed: At home Recommended By: Harald Thiel, Proprietor and Vigneron Cost: $19.75 (from the winery) Bottle Presentation: Simple, recognizable label. Appearance: Pale salmon, although you could … Read more

Wine Review – Domaine Gouron Chinon 2014

Expected a little more from this highly rated Chinon… Name: Domaine Gouron Vintage: 2014 Producer: Domaine Gouron Region/Country: Loire, France Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Consumed: At home on a lovely spring evening Recommended By: Last bin at the LCBO Cost: $16.95 Bottle Presentation: Simple, classic label. The italic font gives it a touch of class. … Read more