Category Archives: RED

Chateau Maison Blanche, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France, 2009, 14% abv, C$29

There’s no two ways about it.  Bordeaux is confusing.  What does Cru Bourgeois mean? You’ve probably heard about the Premier through Cinquième Crus – the famous First through Fifth Growths. The Premier level includes renowned chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux, … Continue reading

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Andretti Winery, Sangiovese, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.9% abv.

Sangiovese is a black grape native to Central Italy and primarily Toscana whose name literally means ‘Blood of Jove’, the Italian name for Jupiter. It’s Italy’s most planted variety, is the only grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino and is … Continue reading

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Galil Mountain, Shiraz, Kibbutz Yiron, Galilee, Israel, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$22 (kosher)

Being the cradle of civilization as we know it, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that grapes and vines have been grown in Israel since biblical times.  In the Old Testament’s book of Deuteronomy, grapes were listed as one of … Continue reading

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Et Fille, Pinot Noir, Kalita Vineyard, Newberg, Oregon, 2010, 13% abv.

Blind tasting – it strikes fear into the heart of wine professionals and cork dorks alike. We all know someone who seems to have an uncanny ability to pronounce what grape has been used, what country or region it’s from … Continue reading

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Craggy Range Single Vineyard, Te Kahu, Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Gimblett Gravels – try saying that 10 times over after a few glasses of wine. The area is renowned for its Bordeaux blends. Located in Hawkes Bay on the eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island, Gimblett Gravels is a … Continue reading

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Zinfandel, Mickey’s Block, Brown Estate, Chiles Valley, Napa Valley, California, 2011, 15.2% abv.

Oh Mickey, you’re so fine. You’re so fine, you … know the rest. Meet Mickey. We’ve held onto this Zinfandel wine for a year now to see what a little time in the bottle would do to it.  It’s hard … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Alexana, Shea Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2010, 13% abv.

Pinot Noir is a red grape renowned for it’s picky nature. Difficult to grow even under the most ideal conditions, it nevertheless is one of those varieties most winemakers yearn to produce a wine from at some point in their … Continue reading

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Koyle Gran Reserva, Alto Colchagua, Carménère , Chile, 2012, 14% abv, C$22

Carménère is originally from Bordeaux and Southwest France, but it was taken to the New World, specifically Chile, by French immigrants in the mid 1800s. It has proven to be far better suited to its new South American home because … Continue reading

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San Cristoforo, Azienda Agricola Pietro Rinaldi, Barbaresco DOCG, Alba, Piemonte, Italy, 2007, 14%, C$60

I caught this one at the height of its perfection. Not being a frequent consumer of Italian wine, I have to admit I need to study just a little (ok, maybe a lot) before I go to buy anything. Can … Continue reading

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Trivento Golden Reserve, Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2011, 14.5% abv

Argentina is the most important wine producing country in Latin America. Since the 1990s, it has been one of the most dynamic regions and in 2004 it was the 5th largest producer in the world. Well over 40% of its … Continue reading

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