Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends

Some Top BC Wineries to Visit: Tasting in the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys

We have some lovely friends who have moved recently to the West Coast.  They’re trying to get to know British Columbia – so we decided to take them to some of the best spots. That’s how we spent a week … Continue reading

Posted in BC, British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Chardonnay, Gamay, Marechal Foch, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, red wine, ROSE, Rousanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Washington State, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bratislava’s National Wine Salon Experience

In April 2026, we visited Bratislava, Slovakia – smack dab in the centre of Europe, a brief riverboat trip down the Danube from Vienna, and located directly on what used to be a heavily militarized segment of the Iron Curtain … Continue reading

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A Toast to Memories – Pinot Blanc (Weisser Burgunder), “Kalkgestein”, Weingut Friedrich Becker, Deutscher Qualitatswein trocken, Pfalz, Germany, 13% abv., 2023 and Merlot, Château Fombrauge, Bernard Magrez, Saint Emilion AC, Bordeaux, Grand Cru, France, 15% abv., 2009, C$55

My mom would have turned 84 this May, so to remember her, we joined with one of my sisters, her husband and a niece to enjoy dinner at one of Mom’s favourite restaurants, toast her and laugh over some great … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Germany, Merlot, OTHER, Pinot Blanc, RED, Red, red wine, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, Saint Émilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 12.5% abv., 1998, US$37 (opened October 30, 2025)

I panicked a little while searching for something to take to a friend’s for dinner. I found this 1998 sitting at the bottom of the wine cabinet. I had honestly forgotten it was there. Initially, I was concerned I’d missed … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Charity fundraising tasting

During Cov*d, I offered a wine tasting with paired hors d’oeuvres to a local Rotary Club fundraiser for the Victoria Hospice Society in the memory of my father-in-law, Ken, who spent his last days there. Of course, because of Cov*d, … Continue reading

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, France, Grenache / Garnacha, Italy, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Petite Sirah, Plavac Mali, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo – ‘3V’, Casa Madero, Val de Parras, Mexico, 2020, 13.7% abv.

Anyone who follows me on social media will know I was in Mexico recently with my family to celebrate 20 years of togetherness.  What better way to toast our family’s union than to enjoy a Mexican wine from the oldest … Continue reading

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2003, 13.5% abv.

Offspring of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most renowned red grapes of the world, rivalled only by Merlot for worldwide plantings and popularity. Its power base is in Bordeaux and especially on … Continue reading

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Cactus Red and White Blends, Desert Hills Estate Winery, Oliver, BC, Okanagan Valley VQA, 2020

I don’t know about you, but I am always on the lookout for red and white wines that are not going to break my bank, but that meet all – or at least most – of my criteria.  That includes … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, RED, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz / Syrah, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon (Artist Series Clone 337), Chappellet Winery, Napa Valley AVA, California, 2008, 14.9% abv., US$80

This is a clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from the winery’s Artist’s Series,’ purchased during a visit to Chappellet in 2016.   Chappellet’s famous Pritchard Hill vineyard was founded in 1967 by Donn Chappellet in the eastern hills over looking the … Continue reading

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Prior de Neo, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2006, 15% abv, C$45

From Porrera, Priorat in Catalunya and all its rocky, llicorella glory, this is a primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) wine with Merlot, Syrah and Garnacha thrown into the blend. On the eyes, this beauty is a translucent ruby, with developed aromas … Continue reading

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