Category Archives: OTHER

Viña Tondonia, White Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Rioja Alta, Spain, 1999, 12.5% abv, C$50++

Posted on September 18, 2016 by winellama

It’s hard to share a bottle of López de Heredia. Firstly, I would be quite happy to keep it all to myself. So, selfishness ranks high. But the other reason is that it’s often hard to find someone to drink it … Continue reading →

Posted in Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged 1999, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, spain, vina tondonia, White Reserva, white rioja, white wine | 4 Comments

Cairanne, Peyre Blanche, Famille Perrin, Côtes du Rhône Villages AC, France, 2012, 14.5% abv, C$24++

Posted on September 15, 2016 by winellama

Today I ran into a friend who also reads this blog and made my day by saying she loves it! Usually I get, “Yes, well, ummm, I’m kinda busy. Isn’t it good enough that I subscribed? You mean I have to … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged 2012, Cairanne, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Famille Perrin, france, grenache, Peyre Blanche, red wine, syrah | 8 Comments

Merlot, Charles Shaw, California, 2012, 12.5% abv, US$2.98

Posted on September 5, 2016 by winellama

The Two Buck Chuck nickname is a bit of a misnomer in this day and age of inflation. Still, that’s about all this is worth – with its watered down body and astringent flavours and aromas. But let’s be … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged california, charles shaw, crappy wine, faulty wine, merlot, red wine, Sangria, two buck Chuck, US | 2 Comments

Faro, Bonavita, Superiore, Faro DOC, Messina, Italia, 14.5% abv, 2012, US$38

Posted on September 4, 2016 by winellama

Bonavita is located on only 2.5 ha of land in northeastern Sicily near Messina and owned by Giovanni Scarfone – one winemaker determined to bring back the use of local grapes that have almost become extinct. This wine is comprised … Continue reading →

Posted in Nerello Capuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, OTHER, RED, red wine | Tagged Bonavita, Faro DOC, italia, Messina, Nerello Capuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, red wine, Scarfone, Superiore | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Bosché Vineyard, Freemark Abbey, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, 13.8% abv, 2004, US$120

Posted on August 30, 2016 by winellama

It’s possible I may have a bit of a bucket list for wine-related things, just sayin’. I’ve enjoyed fresh oysters in Cancale buttressed by glasses of Muscadet, had a private tasting with the Queen of Priorat, and in summer 2015, … Continue reading →

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, OTHER, RED | Tagged 13.8% abv., 2004, Bosché Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Freemark Abbey, napa valley, red wine, rutherford, st. helena | 4 Comments

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

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

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

Pinot Noir, Byron, Santa Barbara County, California, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$36++

Posted on July 5, 2016 by winellama

In August 2014, I was introduced to Byron when at the Wine Blogger’s Conference in Santa Barbara. They’re not generally available up here in Canada, so when I found this one, I snatched it up knowing it would be a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged Byron, california, pinot noir, red wine, Santa Barbara County | Leave a comment