Category Archives: OTHER

Amphora Viognier-Rousanne, Laughing Stock Vineyards, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2014, 14.2% abv. C$24, 500 ml.

When my certified expert in Italian wine friend called me to share a bottle of a made-in-BC wine using amphorae from Chianti, there was no hesitation on my part. Medium gold with a fleshy peach overtone and deep legs, the grapes … Continue reading

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Ca’ Di Pian, Barbera d’Asti, La Spinetta, Catagnole Lanze DOCG, Italia, 2010, 14% abv.

Made from the Barbera grape in Piedmonte, northwestern Italy, this is a wine showing deep garnet with a nose of purple Italian plum, black fruit, herb and star anise. The palate is dry with softly ripe, velvety tannins, slightly high … Continue reading

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The Hatch, Brut Rosé, Okanagan, BC, 12.6% abv, NV, C$28

I’m always on the search for a tasty Rosé. Here is one from a new winery with a plethora of options made from grapes sources from all parts of the Okanagan and a tasting room located in West Kelowna.  We … Continue reading

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Aquavit, Linie, Norway, NV, 41.5% abv.

I admit it freely; I like the weird and unusual. When it comes to spirits, this is a little off the beaten track.  Picked up in Amsterdam, it was carried carefully across several borders to its new home in Vancouver.  However, … Continue reading

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Church & State, Cabernet Franc, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 14.7% abv.

I had to double check the label!  On the first glass, I thought I was drinking a svelte Syrah from BC’s Okanagan Valley.  Nope – Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in colour, this wine offers classic Cab Franc aromas of pine … Continue reading

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Chardonnay, Louis Jadot, Pouilly-Fuissé AOC, Mâconnais, France, 13% abv.

Pouilly-Fuissé is located in Burgundy’s Mâconnais subregion and Chardonnay is its only grape.  Its wines are usually good deals and cheaper than those from the north of Burgundy.  There, a good tip for when all those wines are swimming in front … Continue reading

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Church & State, Coyote Bowl Series, Malbec, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2011, 14.5% abv.

Purchased in September 2014 at the winery, we opened this on Saltspring Island with charcuterie and BBQ’d sausages in summer 2015. Opaque purple and very young with intense aromas of ripe, purple plum, black cherry, burnished leather and fresh pine, … Continue reading

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Champagne Gatinois, Aÿ Grand Cru, Brut Tradition, Champagne, France, NV, 12% abv. C$60

Here is a champagne from deep in the Marne in tiny Aÿ, located to the east of Épernay.  This is a 90% Pinot Noir based champagne with 10% Chardonnay, but it’s 100% Grand Cru and grown on the 7.3 ha … Continue reading

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Blackwood Lane, Meritage, The Reference, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2006, 14.2% abv, C$90

When I purchased this bottle back at the beginning of my journey into serious wine interests, I definitely expected more. Looking back, I think I was rather naive and most certainly I spent too much money.  Ah well, live a … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Malbec, Merlot, OTHER, Petit Verdot, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Pahlmeyer, Merlot, Napa Valley, California, 2011, 15.2% abv, US$85

If violet coloured velvet were a wine, it would be this one. Plush and sensuous, it’s made with 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and a smattering of Malbec.  The grapes came from three separate vineyards. On the eyes it’s a … Continue reading

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