Category Archives: RED
Torbreck, Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 2011, 14.5% abv
Torbreck is located in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, ‘the‘ Aussie wine state producing about 50% of the country’s crush (down from 75% in the 1940-50s). It dominates production and output although it’s an incredibly small portion of land. Most of … Continue reading
Mission Hill Family Estate, Compendium, Okanagan Valley, 2008, 14% abv, $50
At 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, this classic Bordeaux blend or Meritage (rhymes with ‘heritage’) has been hand harvested and sorted and gravity fed into small French oak fermenting barrels. After fermenting for four … Continue reading
Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais Nouveau AC, Beaujolais, France, 2013, 12%, US $8.99
Beaujolais Nouveau is a style that generates a lot of cash flow for producers and negociants immediately following the harvest – after all this is wine made in the fall and meant to be consumed immediately. It’s literally a baby … Continue reading
Joseph Faiveley, Moulin-a-Vent AC, France, 2009, 13.5% abv, C$34.95
Now we’re talking turkey – Christmas turkey that is…rubbed and roasted with freshly herbed butter, just-picked sage, rosemary and thyme and served with homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. Made from the Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc grape and hailing from … Continue reading
Chateau Puech-Haut, Saint Drezery, Le Prestige 2011, P. Cambie and E. Solomon, Coteaux du Languedoc AOP, France, 15% abv, US$19.99
When the owner of a funky little wine shop in downtown Bellingham with 35 years of experience in serving, buying and selling wine (Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants – check them out) introduces a wine to you by saying, ‘It’s … Continue reading
Langmeil, The Long Mile, Three Gardens, SGM, Barossa, South Australia, 14.5% abv, 2010, C$27.00
This wine first caught my eye because of the way it listed its varietals in an ever-so-slightly backward manner. Instead of the usual GSM, indicating dominance by Grenache, followed by Syrah and Mourvedre, this one has a majority of Shiraz … Continue reading
Terroir Eclats Calcaires, Ogier, Chateauneuf-de-Pape AoC, 2007 14.5%, C$52
“If I was going to drink wine, this would be it!” When a non-drinker announces his impression of a wine’s aromas in this way without having even tasted it, you know it really must have something going for it. Located … Continue reading
Chateau La Croix de Gay, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Pomerol AC, France, 2009, 13.5% abv, C$50
Having never been there, I can’t corroborate it, but I understand Pomerol is one of the most monocultural and boring landscapes around. Who would think!? Bordeaux takes shape in my mind as the land of fairytale chateaux and rolling hills. … Continue reading
Makepeace Merlot, Clos du Soleil, Grower’s Series, Similkameen Valley VQA, BC, 2011, 13.8% abv
I’ve been away from wine for a while taking distilled spirits courses and drinking more than I’ve wanted of 40% abv beverages. After all, I signed up for the WSET Diploma to learn more about wines. I just forgot what … Continue reading
Sokol Blosser, Pinot Noir, Big Tree Block, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2009, 14.5% abv
With turkey time upon us, it was the right moment to pull out the Willamette Pinot Noir purchased during a August trip to that favourite AVA. Dundee Hills is the ‘epicentre’ of Pinot Noir in Oregon and its soil and … Continue reading
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