Author Archives: winellama

Unknown's avatar

About winellama

I love wine...and finally decided to do something about it.

L’Amateur, David Léclapart, Blanc de Blancs, Pas Dosé, Premier Cru, Trépail, Marne, Champagne AC, France, 12.5% abv

Late blooming Pinot Meunier is the most frequently planted grape in the Marne, so the fact that David Léclapart has got Chardonnay growing in the frost prone village of Trépail is very interesting. That he is a fervent devotee of … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

GSM, Lafage, Tessellae, Old Vines, Côtes du Roussillon AC, France, 15% abv, 2013, C$23

There are so few really delicious wines available at the BCLB, that finding this one makes it a treasure at the end of that rainbow.  And I’m always hunting for these – GSMs are my desert island wines.  On the … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, Mouvedre, Monastrell, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Barolo, Riserva, Bel Colle Montvigliero, Barolo DOCG, Italia, 2004, 14% abv

We opened this wine at 12 years old on November 2016, at the end of its recommended drinking window (2010-2016). Although initially worried we’d missed the boat, we were relieved to find an elegantly developed drink. Winner of a bronze … Continue reading

Posted in Barolo, Italy, Nebbiolo, OTHER, RED, red wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chardonnay, Clos de Ste. Anne, Naboth’s Vineyard, Millton Vineyards, Gisborne, New Zealand, 2013, 13.5% abv, NZ$70

From a biodynamic, dry-farmed, single vineyard of 25 year old vines, this is a tremendously delicious Chardonnay fermented with native yeasts.  On the eyes, it’s a pretty lemon with a nose of pomelo, quince, ginger and crushed rock dust. The … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, New Zealand, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne, Perrier-Jouët, Brut, Belle Epoque, Epernay, Champagne AC, France, 2006, 12.5% abv.

Over two centuries, Perrier-Jouët has only had seven cellar masters.  It was also the first House to create a dry Champagne in 1856.  Then there are its famous art-nouveau bottles – and this one has been hand-painted.  Since 1902 when … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Sparkling Wine, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Anaperenna, Ben Glaetzer, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2006, 15% abv.

Australian winemaker Ben Glaetzer, descendant of German immigrants to the Barossa and Clare Valleys, has had a long list of wine awards come his way including  New World Winemaker of the Year (2006), 12 awards at MUNDUSVini 2007, being chosen … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Les Bancèls, Domaine de Cébène, Faugères, France, 2013, 14% abv, C$29

What a lovely wine.  Grown on classic slate terraces peppered with decades old organic  vines at 320 m in southern France, this is a GSM you really must try. The Grenache and Syrah are grown on north and east facing … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, Mouvedre, Monastrell, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hypothesis, Culmina Family Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 13.5% abv, 2011

Culmina Winery owner, Don Triggs is no stranger to the really big wine industry business.  No, really.  I’m serious; as one half of the former Jackson-Triggs group (yes, that Jackson-Triggs), with his business partner, Don Triggs built and sold Vincor. … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bordeaux, Château Kirwan, Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, France, 2009, 13.5% abv. C$100

Just yesterday (November 7, 2016), Jean-Henri Schÿler, owner of this Bordeaux third-growth, Château Kirwan, and négociant Maison Schröder & Schÿler passed away at age 85. The Kirwan name actually has Irish roots (from the Gaelic meaning black).  In the mid … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Petite Syrah, Babylon, Tenbrink Vineyard, Scholium Project, California Red Wine, California, 15.7% abv, 2005

What do wine geeks love to do?  Out geek each other by bringing obscure wines to taste when they visit.  This particular one was hand delivered to Canada by a wine friend whom I met when taking the Court of … Continue reading

Posted in California, OTHER, Petite Sirah, RED | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments