Category Archives: RED

Pinot Noir, Byron, Santa Barbara County, California, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$36++

In August 2014, I was introduced to Byron when at the Wine Blogger’s Conference in Santa Barbara. They’re not generally available up here in Canada, so when I found this one, I snatched it up knowing it would be a … Continue reading

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Bodegas Bula, DO Montsant, Spain, 14% abv, 2012, C$22

Montsant is a DO that literally occupies a circle of land surrounding the higher ranking DOQ of Priorat in northwest Spain, just west by a few hours of Barcelona. They’ve been growing grapes there since Roman times and the names … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinot Noir, Free Form, Haywire, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2014, 12.8% abv, C$41

If I could drink this all day, every day, I would.  Hands down.  No question. Unfined, unfiltered, fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged for 8 months on the skins in amphorae.  Pressed and then rested for two more months and … Continue reading

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Cabernet Franc, Poplar Grove, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 14.3% abv.

Here’s a tasty drink from one of several wineries located on the Okanagan’s Naramata Bench in beautiful British Columbia. On the eyes, it sports a dense and deep ruby with aromas of crunchy raspberries, blackberry, pine, garrigue and minerals. The … Continue reading

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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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Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC, Superiore, Stefano Mancinelli, Morro d’Alba, Italy, 2013, 13% abv. C$35

To say this wine is intriguing would be an understatement. Producer, Stefano Mancinelli is widely acknowledged as one of the best producers of Lacrima di Morro d’Alba wines.  Made from the Lacrima grape, I had to search hard for information … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, López de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2002, 13.5% abv, C$54

Here I sit in the Toronto Pearson International airport because I missed a flight to São Paolo.  It’s St. Patrick’s day, but I’m not drinking green beer with the rest of the traveling masses.  Instead, I’m thinking about friendship, how … Continue reading

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

Pinot Noir, Knez Winery, Demuth Vineyard, Anderson Valley, California, 2012, 13.4% abv, US$40

What a treat – biodynamic Pinot Noir, unfiltered and grown at 500m on the dry-farmed, 30 year old Demuth Vineyard located in California’s stunning Anderson Valley. Always one of the top US products available, Knez sells out almost each of … Continue reading

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Beni di Batasiolo, Barolo DOCG, La Morra, Piemonte, Italia, 2011, 14.5% abv.

This winery, owned by the Dogliani family for the past five generations, has vineyards in four regions of Piemonte – La Morra, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba. The Batasiolo vineyard where the Nebbiolo grapes for this wine are from is … Continue reading

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Rosé, Clos du Soleil, Similkameen Valley VQA, Okanagan, BC, 2013, 13.1% abv.

Many people think you can’t or shouldn’t drink rosé during winter.  Says who?  Does it make you smile? Does it make you happy? A perennial favourite of mine, the Similkameen Valley’s Clos du Soleil winery makes many of my go to BC … Continue reading

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