Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

El Casot, La Colección, Trio Infernal, Combier, Fischer and Gerin, Torroja, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 13.5% abv.

This version of the Priorat comes from the celler of three French winemakers who migrated to Catalunya and set up shop in the tiny hamlet of Torroja del Priorat.  They’ve been making wines together here since 2002. You can read … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Viatge al Priorat, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 15 Euros

This youthful version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó, but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate dinner there. As he was leaving, … Continue reading

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

The Macallan, Select Oak, Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky,  Speyside, Scotland, 40% abv. C$80

Also known as the Mac’Allen’ if you’re drinking it with said friend who was kind enough to share, this Scotch was aged in American oak and first fill European oak sherry casks. It has a pale amber hue and on the nose … Continue reading

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Macduff, Single Old Particular, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 21 years old, Highland, Scotland, 41.9% abv.

This is from a distillery located in Speyside that was founded in 1948 and is currently owned by Bacardi but managed by John Dewar & Sons. The Macduff 21 year old (‘glorious years’, according to the distillery) is a single … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Syrah, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2011, 13.5% abv, US$19

This Washington state Syrah punches far above its weight in terms of quality for money. It’s a bright, deep garnet with a ruby rim and thick legs.  On the nose it has pronounced intensity with aromas of deeply ripe blackberry, Damson … Continue reading

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Porrera vi de Vila, Vall Llach, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 15.5% abv, 44.50 Euros

The drive from Falset to Porrera in southern Catalunya is not exactly for the faint of heart. We were told the tortuously narrow, winding roads are a huge improvement upon what used to be there.  At least they were paved – and it didn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guiborat Fils, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Grand Cru, Cramant AC, Champagne, France, 2005, 12% abv.

Owned by Richard and Karine Fouquet, this Guiborat Fils Grand Cru vintage champagne is produced from Chardonnay grapes in the quaint French village of Cramant. Richard is the 5th generation of his family to be making champagne and he farms 8 ha … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jacquesson, Cuvée No. 736, Extra Brut, Champagne, France, 12% abv, C$75 @ Marquis

A celebrated Champagne house in operation since 1798, Jacquesson has been owned since 1974 by the Chiquet family and is located in Dizy, just north of Epernay. The family owns 31 ha of vineyards throughout Aÿ, Avize and Oiry, all Grand Crus, … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, RED, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ava, Le Vieux Pin, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2012, 14% abv.

Here’s a BC bottle made in the image of a white Rhône Valley wine. The Ava is fashioned from 61% Viognier, 21% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne grapes that have seen about half of it age in new French barrels for 9 … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Marsanne, OTHER, Rousanne, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 1996, 13% abv.

To say Lebanese wines are some of the oldest in the world isn’t a stretch – there are production records dating back to the 8th century BC. When Gaston Hochar decided to reinvigorate the fine wine industry and increase the quality … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Carignan, Cinsault, Lebanon, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments