Category Archives: OTHER

Qupé, Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California, 14.5% abv, 2005

Posted on April 30, 2015 by winellama

When I started planning the brief trip to Santa Barbara, I also began to plot my assault on a bottle of locally produced Qupé. It’s challenging to find in my corner of the world and this winery owned by winemaker Bob Lindquist … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, Red, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido, Bob Lindquist, Buellton, california, cool climate syrah, Hitching Post 2, Qupé, red wine, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley | Leave a comment

Argyle, Blanc de Blancs, Knudsen Vineyard, Julia Lee’s Block, Dundee Hills AVA, Oregon, 2009, 12.5% abv.

Posted on April 29, 2015 by winellama

‘Brut makes you better‘ is the claim on the Argyle Winery website. Agreed! We were there in 2010 and purchased this with that goal in mind. Very pale lemon with a persistent, chubby bubble, this sparkler has a very light nose … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, Oregon, OTHER, Sparkling Wine, WHITE | Tagged Argyle, blanc de blancs, Dundee Hills AVA, oregon, sparkling wine | Leave a comment

Ruché, Caresana, Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Italia, 2013, 15% abv, C$30 (BCLB)

Posted on April 22, 2015 by winellama

There isn’t very much of this Italian grape around – only about 40 ha of vines exist in Piedmont. A DOCG since 2010, opinion is divided as to whether or not this is an indigenous Italian varietal or one that came from … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, Ruché | Tagged castagnole monferrato, Italy, red wine, Ruché | Leave a comment

Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

Posted on April 13, 2015 by winellama

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine. The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged bodegas delgrande, red wine, rioja, rioja alta rincon de navas, spain, tempranillo | Leave a comment

Les Sentius, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2009, 15.5% abv, 11 Euros

Posted on April 8, 2015 by winellama

This version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó (the celler complete with wall-mounted sundial is left), but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Grenache / Garnacha, Merlot, OTHER, RED, Samsó, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, dave cana, garnacha, garnaxa, joan simo, les caves de pyrenes, merlot, Porrera, priorat doq, red wine, Samsó, spain, syrah | Leave a comment

Riesling, Spätlese, Bünchen, Mosel (Saar), Germany 2011, 9.5% abv.

Posted on April 4, 2015 by winellama

As Keith quipped, ‘Doesn’t Bünchen mean brunchin’ in English?” You can’t argue with a great breakfast wine. Spätlese literally means ‘late harvest’ – and this one is a sweet version (they can also be dry). It’s a delicious and beautifully … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, OTHER, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged Bunchen, Germany, Mosel, riesling, Saar, Spatlese | 2 Comments

El Casot, La Colección, Trio Infernal, Combier, Fischer and Gerin, Torroja, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 13.5% abv.

Posted on April 1, 2015 by winellama

This version of the Priorat comes from the celler of three French winemakers who migrated to Catalunya and set up shop in the tiny hamlet of Torroja del Priorat. They’ve been making wines together here since 2002. You can read … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED | Tagged brown slate, combier, dave canadas, el casot, fischer, garnacha, garnaxa, gerin, la collecion, llicorella, priorat doq, red wine, spain, Torroja del Priorat, Trio Infernal | Leave a comment

Viatge al Priorat, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 15 Euros

Posted on March 31, 2015 by winellama

This youthful version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó, but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate dinner there. As he was leaving, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Grenache / Garnacha, Merlot, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, dave canadas, falset, garnacha, garnaxa, hotel hostal sport, joan simo, les caves de pyrenes, lotus priorat, merlot, Porrera, priorat doq, spain, syrah | Leave a comment

Macduff, Single Old Particular, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 21 years old, Highland, Scotland, 41.9% abv.

Posted on March 27, 2015 by winellama

This is from a distillery located in Speyside that was founded in 1948 and is currently owned by Bacardi but managed by John Dewar & Sons. The Macduff 21 year old (‘glorious years’, according to the distillery) is a single … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged Macduff, macduff 21, scotland, single cask, single old particular, speyside, spirits, whisky | 1 Comment

Syrah, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2011, 13.5% abv, US$19

Posted on March 26, 2015 by winellama

This Washington state Syrah punches far above its weight in terms of quality for money. It’s a bright, deep garnet with a ruby rim and thick legs. On the nose it has pronounced intensity with aromas of deeply ripe blackberry, Damson … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Washington State | Tagged Ch. Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, red wine, syrah, Washington | Leave a comment