Category Archives: OTHER

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

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

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

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

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Pinot Gris, Switchback Vineyard, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada, 2013, 13% abv, C$25

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

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2008, 13.5% abv.

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

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Le Barrettage, La Sirena Winery, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.6% abv, US$52

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

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Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc AC, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$50

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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

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Albariño, Viña Vedra, Val do Salnés, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$17++

The Val do Salnés region is located in Rias Baixas and hangs way off the edge of northwestern Spain, north of the border with Portugal where the grape is called Alvarinho. Hugging the Atlantic Ocean and cooled by its breezes, … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Free Form, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2014, 12.8% abv, C$41

If I could drink this all day, every day, I would.  Hands down.  No question. Unfined, unfiltered, fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged for 8 months on the skins in amphorae.  Pressed and then rested for two more months and … Continue reading

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Zinfandel, Brown Estate, Chiles Valley, Napa Valley, California, 2012, 15.2% abv, US$50

Do you know how hard it is to get a bottle of Brown Estate?  They sell out pretty much everything they make annually to their wine club and select Napa Valley and San Francisco restaurant wine directors.  And no one … Continue reading

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