Category Archives: OTHER

Grasevina Krizevci, Krizevci Vineyards, Croatia, 2012, 12%, C$11.95 (LCBO)

Here’s one for the century club members out there – those of us trying to record tasting at least 100 different varieties of grapes.  It’s one we don’t see very often in the BC market – in fact, this bottle … Continue reading

Posted in Croatia, OTHER, Welschriesling, WHITE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Laurel, Clos i Terrasses, DOQ Priorat, Spain, 2012, 15% abv.

Do a quick Google search for ‘Daphne Glorian’ and up pops an inordinate number of results – 18,700, to be exact.  She’s a bona fide wine rockstar whose life work is synonymous with the red wines of Priorat, Spain. One of … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mas Doix, 1902 Centenary Carignan, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.% abv,

It’s hard not to notice – there seems to be a higher-than-average number of female winemakers in Priorat, Spain.  I mean, a four day tour of the region is hardly enough to prove anything statistically, but of the seven wineries we … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, OTHER, RED, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lo Coster Blanc, Sangenís i Vaqué, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2013, 18 Euros

It’s the perennial question – what is ‘the next big thing’ in wine?  My bet is on the white wines of Priorat DOQ. During a trip in January 2015 to this high quality Spanish region, I was repeatedly and most happily surprised by … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sequel, Syrah, Long Shadows Vintner’s Collection, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla, Washington, 2011, 14.8% abv, US$50

We were spending a day at the tasting rooms of Woodinville, north of Seattle in Washington state when we popped into the Long Shadows storefront.  If you haven’t heard about this concept, I guarantee it will intrigue you. Since 2000, former … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Washington State | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ximenis, Genium Celler, Blanco, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 14% abv, 12 euros

He drove 2.5 hours from his day job and Barcelona to meet and pour wines  for us at Poboleda. Jordi Ossó i Estivill, Genium Celler’s export manager, is one of six family partners who’ve banded together to bring their wines from this tiny Catalan … Continue reading

Posted in OTHER, Pedro Ximenez / Pedro Gimenez, Spain, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinot Noir, Fort Berens, Lillooet, BC VQA, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$26

How is this possible?  A Canadian winery poised at 50.5 degrees north latitude – just outside the usually accepted outermost limits of vinifera grape growing. Yet, there Fort Berens lies, thumbing its nose at the non-believers, and producing quality Pinot … Continue reading

Posted in BC, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Montevertine, Rosso di Toscana, Radda, Toscana IGT, Italy, 2009, 13% abv, C$50

Let’s just cut to the chase. The Montevertine Rosso is, well… outstanding. A Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino blend made by winemaker Martino Manetti, the winery left the world of the rule-bound Consorzio and declared itself an IGT rated producer after the 1990 vintage. The wine … Continue reading

Posted in Canaiolo, Colorino, Italy, OTHER, RED, Sangiovese | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne Marie Courtin, Résonance, Extra Brut, Pinot Noir, Polisot, Aube, France, 12% abv, disgorged May 2013, C$90

Champagne – bubbles, blended parcels of wines, large famous luxury brand companies.  Right?  Well, it has been that way for a long time for the internationally marketed mega brands. There has, however, been a resurgence in the grower Champagne market that has come … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, France, OTHER, Pinot Noir, Red | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foxtrot, Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv, C$50

Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation. Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003. … Continue reading

Posted in BC, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, Red | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment