Author Archives: winellama

About winellama

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

Pinot Gris, Switchback Vineyard, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada, 2013, 13% abv, C$25

Posted on August 20, 2016 by winellama

As the bottle mentions, this delicious tipple was created by Michael Bartier, Matt Dumayne and consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini at the Okanagan Crush Pad and has been “..fermented using wild yeast and raised in concrete.” Okay, so let’s talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, OTHER, Pinot Gris, WHITE | Tagged Alberto Antonini, biodynamic, Canada, Canadian wine, concrete, Haywire, indigenous yeast, Matt Dumayne, Okanagan Valley BC VQA, pinot gris, Switchback Vineyard, white wine, wine | Leave a comment

Rosé, Lumineaux, Hawks Butte Vineyard, Bink Winery, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, 2014, 14% abv.

Posted on August 13, 2016 by winellama

Winemaker Deb Schatzlein has made some gorgeous treasures with Anderson Valley fruit and custom crushes at neighbour Balo. At their tasting room located in The Madrones (yes, you need to stay there or at The Brambles where we did), we … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Merlot, ROSE | Tagged Anderson Valley, Bink Winery, california, Hawks Butte Vineyard, Lumineaux, Mendocino County, pink wine, rose, Yorkville Highlands | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2008, 13.5% abv.

Posted on August 11, 2016 by winellama

Sometimes the Winellama writes about wine and sometimes she writes about an experience. This time, she’s writing about an experience topped by equally outstanding wine. We pulled up for the trade tasting at Jordan in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, OTHER, RED | Tagged 2008, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Jordan Winery, red wine, Sonoma | 2 Comments

Viognier, Tahbilk, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia, 2014, 13.8% abv.

Posted on August 10, 2016 by winellama

This wine is produced at Tahbilk where 5 generations of the Purbrick family have been involved in winemaking since the current owner’s great grandfather purchased the vines in 1925. Viognier was planted here in the 1990s. Medium lemon in colour, … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged Australia, Central Victoria, Nagambie Lakes, Tahbilk, viognier, white wine | Leave a comment

Rosé, Faustine, Domaine Abbatucci, Corsica, 2014, 13% abv, C$45++

Posted on August 4, 2016 by winellama

This rosé is made from Sciaccarellu (local dialect for Sciacarello) grapes grown on 18ha of 20 year old vines at Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards in Corsica. Abbatucci is a direct descendant and namesake of General Jean-Charles Abbatucci from Ajaccio who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Corsica, RED, ROSE, Sciacarello | Tagged biodynamic, pink wine, demeter-certified, rosé, Faustine, Domaine Abbatucci, Corsica, Sciacarello | Leave a comment

Malbec, Old Vine, Llama, Belasco de Bacqudano, Alto Agrelo Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.8% abv, 2012, C$18++

Posted on July 23, 2016 by winellama

Honestly, I was going to keep on walking straight through to Spain or France. Do you really think I’m about to fall victim to buying a critter wine called ‘Llama’? And I admit it – I never buy Malbec. … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Malbec, RED | Tagged Alto Agrelo Valley, argentina, Belasco de Bacqudano, critter wine, Llama, Lujan de Cuyo, malbec, mendoza, Old Vine, red wine | 2 Comments

Les Cornuds, Famille Perrin, Vinsobres AC, France, 2011, 14.5% abv. C$20++

Posted on July 22, 2016 by winellama

Here’s a classic 50-50 Syrah and Grenache blend from Vinsobres which is located in the northern part of France’s Southern Rhône Valley. Vinsobres became its own AC in 2006; before that it was part of the Côtes du Rhône Villages. … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged 2011, Famille Perrin, france, grenache, Les Cornuds, red wine, syrah, Vinsobres AC | 4 Comments

Brut Vintage, Gold Label, Lanson, Champagne AC, France, 1999, US$75.00

Posted on July 21, 2016 by winellama

I was awarded this bottle, oh yes I was… along with an engraved decanter for having the highest overall score in 2014 for WSET graduates in BC. As someone who doesn’t even work in the industry (alas, the blog doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir | Tagged brut, bubbles, champagne, france, gold label, Lanson, sparking wine, vintage | 2 Comments

Le Barrettage, La Sirena Winery, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.6% abv, US$52

Posted on July 15, 2016 by winellama

This is Heidi Peterson Barrett’s wine – yes, she of Screaming Eagle fame. Recipient of two 100 point wine scores from Robert Parker (if that kind of stuff is important to you), she has created many well-regarded wines since she … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged california, Calistoga, Heidi Peterson Barrett, La Sirena, Le Barrettage, napa valley, red wine, Screaming Eagle | 2 Comments

Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc AC, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$50

Posted on July 8, 2016 by winellama

Wine Spectator gave this a 90 points when it came to the market. I bought it along with several others at the BC Bordeaux release in 2010. Tucked away for a little ageing and forgotten in a box, when we … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, OTHER, Petit Verdot, RED | Tagged Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Chasse-Spleen, france, merlot, Moulis-en-Médoc AC, Petit Verdot, red wine | Leave a comment