Author Archives: winellama
Kumeu River, Village, Chardonnay, New Zealand, 2009, 13% abv, C$32
What do you drink when you’re about to see a Beatle? For some reason, we agreed it needed to be a clear, crisp and clean Chardonnay. Since I didn’t have anything that was of the same vintage as Sir Paul, we … Continue reading
Church & State, Hollenbach Family Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 13.9% abv, C$26
There’s BC salmon on the dinner menu, so we need a Pinot Noir. Fully 100% Pinot, this wine won silver medals for 2011 at both the Canadian Wine Championships and the London, UK International Wine and Spirit Competition. The year … Continue reading
Ludovicus, Celler Piñol, DO Terra Alta, Tarragona, Spain, 2008, 14% abv.
The WSET Advanced Level 3 award results came through today – after waiting only 12 weeks. I passed with Distinction in both the theory and tasting portions of the exam. Thrilled. Yup. Jumping with proverbial joy. What better way than … Continue reading
Regusci, Stags Leap District, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2008
What a treat and why did I wait so long to enjoy this fruity and lush 92% Californian Cab Sav blended with 8% Merlot and the remainder a dash of Cabernet Franc. With a clear, deep garnet core moving to … Continue reading
Review: The Wine Cellar, Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, October 29, 2012
Who would have thought that the largest wine cellar open to the US public would be in Sin City? Well, when you put it that way – where else would it be than in Las Vegas? Ever the intrepid and … Continue reading
Foxgrove, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, 13% abv, US$7 for 187 ml
It’s my birthday and I’ll drink if I want to – even at 30,000 feet out of a tiny, plastic bottle. Right away, I’m suspicious – the cute little red fox pictured on the Barbie-sized packaging, the eponymous ‘Southeastern Australia’ … Continue reading
Tinto Pesquera, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero DO, Alejandro Fernandez, Crianza, Spain 2009,14% abv, US $32
Rather than lug this back through customs in my tiny suitcase, I decided to liberate it on an evening in Boston. It could have waited a few years as it’s still a tad green and grippy. That said, it was … Continue reading
Vina Ardanza, Reserva Especial, Rioja Alta, Rioja AOC, Spain, 13.5% abv, US $32
Purchased in New Haven, Connecticut, this is an 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha blend made only in special vintages – 1964, 1973 and this 2001 example. The wine has a clear, deep, rich garnet core moving to a thick bricked ruby … Continue reading
Mon Coeur, J. L. Chave Selection, Côtes du Rhône AC, France, 14.5% abv, $29 at BC Liquor Stores
An alert from ever-helpful Raquel at the local BC Liquor brought my attention to this wine. At $10 off the regular $29 price, who was I to say no to trying out a new wine. This is a Syrah – … Continue reading
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