Author Archives: winellama

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About winellama

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

Old Vine Zinfandel, Bonanza, Rustico Farm & Cellars, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 14.3% abv, $30

Rustico is a ‘western themed’ winery and slightly kitschy.  Isabella’s Poke?  Threesome?  If you have to rely on the kitsch to sell your wine… I will say it’s interesting that they grow Zinfandel as there are so few places growing it … Continue reading

Posted in BC, RED, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A dip into the US at Oroville – Okanogon Winery, Copper Mountain and back into Osoyoos at Young + Wyse

Today was not a winery day, but we did hit a few in addition to enjoying the sun, beach, water, jet skis and a bbq steak dinner. We decided to take a dip down into the US at Oroville – … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Washington State, Winery Review | Leave a comment

Nota Bene, Black Hills Estate Winery, Oliver, British Columbia, 2007, 14.6% abv

  When at Black Hills in 2012, I opted for the vertical Nota Bene tasting of the 2007 – 2010 Meritage blends. These wines and the winery have quite a history. Originally owned by two couples, one couple left after … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Meritage, Merlot, RED, Winery Review | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wineries of BC – Westbank, Kelowna, Summerland and Oliver

Today we spent a lovely day touring the wineries of Oliver. Earlier in June we spent time while I was here for work taking in the wineries of Summerland where we visited Silk Scarf (and I purchased a lovely red … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Winery Review | Leave a comment

NK’MIP Cellars, Riesling, British Columbia VQA, Okanagan Valley, 2010, 13% abv, C$19

We arrived at Spirit Ridge in Nk’mip and as soon as the kids were happily ensconced at the pool, I pretty much ran to the winery. There was a $7 fee per participant for the (enjoyable) winery tour. I hadn’t … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Gran Sangre de Toro, Torres, Reserva, Catalunya DO, Spain, 2007, 14% abv, C$16

This wine from Catalunya in northeastern Spain is comprised of 60% Garnacha, 25% Mazuelo and 15% Syrah and yes, it’s a Miguel Torres wine – the famed Torres whose wineries are renowned in Spain, Chile and California. Boasting a deep garnet … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stickleback Red, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Dolcetto, Lagreine, Langhorne Creek and Limestone Coast, Southern Australia, 2009, C$17

Available in BC at your local government liquor store, here’s an interesting blended table wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz offer structure, the Dolcetto brightness and acidity and the Lagreine spice and tannin.  This wine is made from grapes that … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Dolcetto, Lagreine, RED, Red, red wine, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Viña Tondonia, López de Heredia, Rosada, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2000, 12% abv.

I’ve been waiting to open this bottle for a while. After reading about it in the New York Times, I bought two of the three bottles available locally and opened one when family came to visit from England. Come to think of … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, Macabeu/Viura, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blue Mountain, Brut, Methode Traditionnelle, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, NV, C$24

What better way to toast three sisters being back together after two years apart than to start with some Canadian sparkling wine. From the Okanagan Falls area located south of Penticton and north of Oliver in the Okanagan Valley, this sparkler … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shiraz, Katnook, Founder’s Block, Coonawarra, Australia, 2008, 13.5% abv

  ‘I’m behind in my posts,’ I lament to my other half who replies with ‘Who’s watching and waiting?’ A good question. This wine is deep ruby with a nose of deep red fruit – especially raspberry – cinnamon spice … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment