Category Archives: RED

GSM, Henry’s Seven, Henschke, Barossa, South Australia, 2014, 14% abv., US$45

Posted on December 13, 2017 by winellama

Here is an Aussie Shiraz (60%), with Grenache, Mataro (also known as Mourvèdre), and a splash of Viognier blended in. It was made at Henschke in honour of Henry Evans who planted the first vineyard there in 1853. I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Grenache / Garnacha, Mouvedre, Monastrell, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged 14% abv, 2014, Barossa, GSM, Henry's Seven, Henschke, red wine, South Australia | Leave a comment

Prior de Neo, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2006, 15% abv, C$45

Posted on November 29, 2017 by winellama

From Porrera, Priorat in Catalunya and all its rocky, llicorella glory, this is a primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) wine with Merlot, Syrah and Garnacha thrown into the blend. On the eyes, this beauty is a translucent ruby, with developed aromas … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Grenache / Garnacha, Merlot, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain | Tagged 15% abv, 2006, cabernet saugivnon, Catalonia, catalunya, garnacha, llicorella, merlot, Prior de Neo, priorat doq, red wine, spain, syrah | Leave a comment

Champagne, Brut, Nicolas Maillart, Premier Cru, Millésime, Champagne AC, France, 2007, 12.5% abv.

Posted on November 28, 2017 by winellama

Coco Chanel probably said it best when she remarked, “I only drink champagne on two occasions. When I am in love and when I am not.” Champagne just makes everything better. Always. Some people have said to me that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, RED, WHITE | Tagged 2007, brut, bubbles, champagne, Champagne AC, chardonnay, france, Grower Champagne, Millesime, Nicolas Maillart, pinot noir, Premier Cru, Recolant Manipulant, RM, vintage | 4 Comments

Pinot Noir, Scott Paul, Azana, Chehalem Mountains AVA, Oregon, 2013, 12.9% abv., US$60

Posted on November 1, 2017 by winellama

We visited the tasting room for this graceful Pinot Noir in tiny Carlton, Oregon in August 2016. The Chehalem Mountains AVA where the grapes for this wine are grown is located entirely within the larger Willamette Valley AVA, just south … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged 12.9% abv., 2013, Azana, Carlton, Chehalem Mountains AVA, oregon, pinot noir, red wine, Scott Paul, yamhill carlton | Leave a comment

Torroja, Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda., Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 12.5% abv.

Posted on September 8, 2017 by winellama

We visited Priorat in January 2015 after attending the WSET Diploma graduation ceremony in London. When we were trying to put together our list of Priorat bodegas to visit, this one emerged as a bright star. Peter, the winemaker, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Spain | Tagged 2012, priorat doq, red wine, spain, Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda., Torroja | 5 Comments

Le Cupole, Tenuta del Trinoro,Toscana IGT, Italia, 2005, 14.5% abv.

Posted on August 9, 2017 by winellama

The Cupole Super Tuscan wines are usually made of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which didn’t get into their top tier bottles. They are also regularly reviewed and rated by Antonio Galloni and Stephen Tanzer which speaks volumes about … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, cesanese, Italy, Merlot, OTHER, Petit Verdot, RED, Uva di Troia | Tagged 2005, cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, cesanese, italia, Le Cupole, merlot, Petit Verdot, red wine, Super Tuscan, Tenuta Trinoro, Toscana IGT, uva di troja | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Vineyards, Special Selection, Napa Valley, California, 1994, 13.9% abv. C$250.00

Posted on August 4, 2017 by winellama

If you were going to write about a classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this would be the one to write about. This bottle was 22 years old when we opened it. Think about that for a minute. Twenty-two years ago in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, RED | Tagged 1994, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Caymus Vineyards, napa valley, red wine, Special Selection | 1 Comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, L’Appel du Vide, Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, USA, 14.3% abv.

Posted on July 14, 2017 by winellama

The meaning of ‘l’appel du vide’ is, ‘the call of the wild.’ One translation says it describes the urge to engage in destructive behaviours – like when you’re walking along and have “the inexplicable urge to jump into traffic”. Seriously? … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED, Washington State | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley AVA, L'Appel du Vide, red wine, USA, Washington | Leave a comment

Sangiovese, Pian Dell’Orino, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italia, 2009, 14.5% abv.

Posted on July 7, 2017 by winellama

Risotto was on the dinner menu and I decided it needed an Italian red. Did I ever hit the goldmine. This wine came to me out of pure luck; I purchased a case of random, sight unseen bottles from an … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, Sangiovese Grosso (Biondi-Santi) | Tagged 2009, biodynamic, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Caroline Pobitzer, Demeter, demeter-certified, italia, Italy, Jan Hendrik Erbach, organic, Pian Dell'Orino, red wine, Sangiovese | Leave a comment

Rethink Pink, Rosé, Joie Farm, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2015, 12.5% abv.

Posted on June 21, 2017 by winellama

Here’s an uncomplicated Rosé made with Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes by Heidi Noble for your back porch. The colour of pretty, pink salmon, this wine has aromas of watermelon and cherry. On the palate it’s mostly dry with a … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Gamay, Pinot Noir, RED, ROSE | Tagged 2015, BC, Heidi Noble, Joie Farm, okanagan valley vqa, Rethink Pink, rosé | 1 Comment