Category Archives: Red

Nebbiolo, Luigi Oddero, Barbaresco DOCG, La Morra, Piedmonte, Italy, 2008, 14% abv., C$100

From one of the truly bona fide, historic and traditional Barolo houses comes a 2008 Barbaresco. The Oddero family has been in La Morra since before the 1700s, and the seventh generation of family members is still in charge of … Continue reading

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Zinfandel, Three Valleys, Ridge Vineyards, Sonoma County, California, 2013, 14.4% abv., C$60

You know, I think we are all still feeling a little pandemic-bluesy.  In an effort to bring some significant happiness and good vibes to our home, I decided to open this bottle purchased at Ridge during a tasting stop in … Continue reading

Posted in Alicante Bouschet, California, Carignan, Petite Sirah, RED, Red, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, J.Lohr, Seven Oaks, Paso Robles, California, 2013, 13.5% abv, C$23

Although Jerry Lohr may have started out small in the 1970s, you could hardly say he stayed that way. Today, his Californian wine empire encompasses vineyards in three regions (Monterey, Paso Robles and Napa) growing grapes on 3,633 acres and … Continue reading

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, RED, Red, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monastrell, Goru, Organic, Vino Ecologico, Jumilla DO, Spain, 2014, 14% abv. C$20

This is a red wine made from 100% Monastrell in the Jumilla DO southeast of Madrid between the Castile-La Mancha region and the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Monastrell is also known as Mourvèdre (in France) and Mataro (in Australia) and 85% … Continue reading

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Brio, Glenterra Vineyards, Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, 2014, 13% abv. C$25

Kudos.  Serious kudos. You’ve got to give Glenterra credit.  Dry farming grapes in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island in a sustainable manner is no easy feat and can’t be for the faint of heart.  They’re located in a tiny micro-climate, … Continue reading

Posted in Agria, British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, Dornfelder, Dunkelfelder, Fruhburgunder, Helfensteiner, Heroldrebe, Hungarian Blue, Lemberger, Merlot, OTHER, Pinot Meunier, RED, Samtrot, Zweigelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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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Olho de Mocho, Reserva, Herdade do Rocim, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Portugal, 2011, 14% abv.

Why, oh why, are we not all drinking Portuguese wines in copious quantities.  The price is right, they taste delicious, everything – from lightly effervescent Vinho Verde to sparkling, white, red and fortified wines – is available, and the quality … Continue reading

Posted in Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Petit Verdot, Portugal, RED, Touriga Nacional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

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Lopez de Haro, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Meh.  I expected more from this wine. A 90% Tempranillo with 7% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano for perfume and colour, this is a Crianza version from a hillside at the village of San Vicente de La Sonsierra in Rioja, Spain. … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Red, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Azelia, Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, Bricco Dell’Oriolo, Castiglione Falletto, Italia, 2012, 13% abv

I probably don’t need to tell you what happens when several wine and food geeks get together and each brings a nerdy bottle of wine. Not only was there an abundance of alcohol and food, but also of educated opinion. … Continue reading

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