Category Archives: RED
Syrah, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2011, 13.5% abv, US$19
This Washington state Syrah punches far above its weight in terms of quality for money. It’s a bright, deep garnet with a ruby rim and thick legs. On the nose it has pronounced intensity with aromas of deeply ripe blackberry, Damson … Continue reading
Porrera vi de Vila, Vall Llach, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 15.5% abv, 44.50 Euros
The drive from Falset to Porrera in southern Catalunya is not exactly for the faint of heart. We were told the tortuously narrow, winding roads are a huge improvement upon what used to be there. At least they were paved – and it didn’t … Continue reading
Jacquesson, Cuvée No. 736, Extra Brut, Champagne, France, 12% abv, C$75 @ Marquis
A celebrated Champagne house in operation since 1798, Jacquesson has been owned since 1974 by the Chiquet family and is located in Dizy, just north of Epernay. The family owns 31 ha of vineyards throughout Aÿ, Avize and Oiry, all Grand Crus, … Continue reading
Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 1996, 13% abv.
To say Lebanese wines are some of the oldest in the world isn’t a stretch – there are production records dating back to the 8th century BC. When Gaston Hochar decided to reinvigorate the fine wine industry and increase the quality … Continue reading
Clos Monlleó, Sangenís i Vaqué, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 1999, 15% abv
During our visit to Celler Sangenís i Vaqué in January 2015, Maria hosted solo but brought out all the stops for an exceptional tasting. Of the ten poured, four were a vertical of the Clos Monlleó from 2013, 2011, 2005 and 1999. Monlleó is the surname … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Philip Shaw No. 8, Koomooloo Vineyard, Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2012, 12.5% abv, AUS $40
As Jodie put it, “Who the heck drinks Pinot from Orange!?” We do, and it was delicious. But just where is Orange? It’s out of the way, even for wine geeks. Cool and at a high altitude (the 123 acres … Continue reading
Stefano Amerighi, Syrah, Cortona DOC, Italia, 2010, 14% abv
This week marks the Vancouver International Wine Festival and Syrah is the grape of the 2015 event. While this wine is not available at the festival, Allan and I opened it to celebrate Syrah in general and lazy Sunday afternoons. … Continue reading
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
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
Riu, Trio Infernal, Combier, Fischer and Gerin, Torroja, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.5% abv, 2010, 16 Euros
We found this at the Vins i Olis del Priorat store the minute we arrived in Falset. Nothing was open at 4pm except the town’s two exceptional wine stores. Llorenc and Marc Aguilo quickly ushered us to the tasting bar … Continue reading
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