Category Archives: RED

Cabernet Sauvignon, Bosché Vineyard, Freemark Abbey, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, 13.8% abv, 2004, US$120

It’s possible I may have a bit of a bucket list for wine-related things, just sayin’. I’ve enjoyed fresh oysters in Cancale buttressed by glasses of Muscadet, had a private tasting with the Queen of Priorat, and in summer 2015, … Continue reading

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Bobal, Corazón Loco, Rosé , DO Manchuela, Spain, 13% abv, C$20

From a landlocked DO west of Valencia and Utiel-Requena off the southwest coast of Spain comes the Corazón Loco – the crazy heart – a rosé made from Spanish varietal Bobal.  Named after the Latin bovale for its (apparent) similarity … Continue reading

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Rosé, Lumineaux, Hawks Butte Vineyard, Bink Winery, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley, California, 2014, 14% abv.

Winemaker Deb Schatzlein has made some gorgeous treasures with Anderson Valley fruit and custom crushes at neighbour Balo. At their tasting room located in The Madrones (yes, you need to stay there or at The Brambles where we did), we … Continue reading

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, 2008, 13.5% abv.

Sometimes the Winellama writes about wine and sometimes she writes about an experience. This time, she’s writing about an experience topped by equally outstanding wine. We pulled up for the trade tasting at Jordan in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley and … Continue reading

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Rosé, Faustine, Domaine Abbatucci, Corsica, 2014, 13% abv, C$45++

This rosé is made from Sciaccarellu (local dialect for Sciacarello) grapes grown on 18ha of 20 year old vines at Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards in Corsica. Abbatucci is a direct descendant and namesake of General Jean-Charles Abbatucci from Ajaccio who was … Continue reading

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Malbec, Old Vine, Llama, Belasco de Bacqudano, Alto Agrelo Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.8% abv, 2012, C$18++

Honestly, I was going to keep on walking straight through to Spain or France.   Do you really think I’m about to fall victim to buying a critter wine called ‘Llama’?  And I admit it – I never buy Malbec. … Continue reading

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Les Cornuds, Famille Perrin, Vinsobres AC, France, 2011, 14.5% abv. C$20++

Here’s a classic 50-50 Syrah and Grenache blend from Vinsobres which is located in the northern part of France’s Southern Rhône Valley. Vinsobres became its own AC in 2006; before that it was part of the Côtes du Rhône Villages. … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Brut Vintage, Gold Label, Lanson, Champagne AC, France, 1999, US$75.00

I was awarded this bottle, oh yes I was… along with an engraved decanter for having the highest overall score in 2014 for WSET graduates in BC.  As someone who doesn’t even work in the industry (alas, the blog doesn’t … Continue reading

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Le Barrettage, La Sirena Winery, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.6% abv, US$52

This is Heidi Peterson Barrett’s wine – yes, she of Screaming Eagle fame.  Recipient of two 100 point wine scores from Robert Parker (if that kind of stuff is important to you), she has created many well-regarded wines since she … Continue reading

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Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc AC, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$50

Wine Spectator gave this a 90 points when it came to the market.  I bought it along with several others at the BC Bordeaux release in 2010. Tucked away for a little ageing and forgotten in a box, when we … Continue reading

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