Author Archives: winellama

About winellama

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

Graham Beck, Cabernet Sauvignon, The Game Reserve, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$19

Posted on May 7, 2015 by winellama

The Western Cape is a very large geographical unit that encompasses most of the eastern wine lands of South Africa – including the Breede River Valley, the Coastal Region, Klein Karoo and Olifants River. It’s massive. Enormous. And there’s a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, OTHER, RED, South Africa | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Graham Beck, red wine, South Africa, The game reserve, Western Cape | Leave a comment

Old Vines Riesling, Sperling Vineyards, Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, C$32

Posted on May 6, 2015 by winellama

In June 2014 we were in Normandy and spent a day with Emmanuel Camut, one of three Camut brothers and the sixth generation of their family making premium Adrien Camut Calvados on land they’ve owned since the 1800s. Emmanuel was intrigued by … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, OTHER, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged Ann Sperling, BC wine, Casorso family, Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, old vines, riesling, Sperling Vineyards, white wine | Leave a comment

Samantha, Syrah, Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, Oliver, BC, 2013, 13.6% abv.

Posted on May 4, 2015 by winellama

This wine was produced by the 2013 Vancouver International Wine Festival’s Sommelier of the Year winner, Samanatha Rahn as part of the Okanagan Crush Pad Winery’s wine campus program. Held in conjunction with the BC Hospitality Foundation, sale proceeds fund a … Continue reading →

Posted in BC, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged BC Hospitality Foundation, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, Okanagan Valley, Oliver, Samantha Rahn, syrah, VIWF 2013, Wine Campus | Leave a comment

Qupé, Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California, 14.5% abv, 2005

Posted on April 30, 2015 by winellama

When I started planning the brief trip to Santa Barbara, I also began to plot my assault on a bottle of locally produced Qupé. It’s challenging to find in my corner of the world and this winery owned by winemaker Bob Lindquist … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, Red, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido, Bob Lindquist, Buellton, california, cool climate syrah, Hitching Post 2, Qupé, red wine, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley | Leave a comment

Argyle, Blanc de Blancs, Knudsen Vineyard, Julia Lee’s Block, Dundee Hills AVA, Oregon, 2009, 12.5% abv.

Posted on April 29, 2015 by winellama

‘Brut makes you better‘ is the claim on the Argyle Winery website. Agreed! We were there in 2010 and purchased this with that goal in mind. Very pale lemon with a persistent, chubby bubble, this sparkler has a very light nose … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, Oregon, OTHER, Sparkling Wine, WHITE | Tagged Argyle, blanc de blancs, Dundee Hills AVA, oregon, sparkling wine | Leave a comment

Lopez de Haro, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Posted on April 28, 2015 by winellama

Meh. I expected more from this wine. A 90% Tempranillo with 7% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano for perfume and colour, this is a Crianza version from a hillside at the village of San Vicente de La Sonsierra in Rioja, Spain. … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Red, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged garnacha, Graciano, Lopez de Haro, rioja, spain, tempranillo | 2 Comments

Ruché, Caresana, Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Italia, 2013, 15% abv, C$30 (BCLB)

Posted on April 22, 2015 by winellama

There isn’t very much of this Italian grape around – only about 40 ha of vines exist in Piedmont. A DOCG since 2010, opinion is divided as to whether or not this is an indigenous Italian varietal or one that came from … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, Ruché | Tagged castagnole monferrato, Italy, red wine, Ruché | Leave a comment

Albariño, Eidos de Padriñán, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, US$19.

Posted on April 20, 2015 by winellama

This wine is made in tiny Padriñán on the cool, wet north western Atlantic coast of Spain. Hanging off the edge of Spain, Padriñán is south of Santiago de Compostela and not so far across the border with Portugal from Porto. Made … Continue reading →

Posted in Albarino / Alvarinho, Spain, WHITE | Tagged Albarino, Eidos de Padrinan, Rias Baixas, spain, white wine | Leave a comment

Podere Brizio, Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italia, 2006, 14.5% abv, C$120

Posted on April 15, 2015 by winellama

This 100% Sangiovese is made by Roberto Bellini and Patrizia Mazzi. They had originally owned a lot of land in Montalcino (the larger Pieve di Santa Restituta estate) and then sold all of it except for 9 ha to Angelo Gaja … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, RED, Sangiovese | Tagged Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Podere Brizio, red wine, Sangiovese | 2 Comments

Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

Posted on April 13, 2015 by winellama

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine. The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged bodegas delgrande, red wine, rioja, rioja alta rincon de navas, spain, tempranillo | Leave a comment