Category Archives: Winery Review
Review: The Wine Cellar, Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, October 29, 2012
Who would have thought that the largest wine cellar open to the US public would be in Sin City? Well, when you put it that way – where else would it be than in Las Vegas? Ever the intrepid and … Continue reading
The Crusher, Grower’s Selection, Petite Sirah, Clarksburg, California, 13.9% abv, 2010
I admit I didn’t know much about Petite Sirah – I thought the name simply signaled a twist on my favourite, Syrah. In fact, it’s a French varietal that is virtually extinct there (since 2002) but that was historically grown in … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Optimum, Gehringer Brothers, Okanagan Valley, BC, 12.5% abv, 2011
2011 wasn’t exactly a banner vintage in the Okanagan Valley and to be honest, this wine is indicative of that. Clear with a medium minus ruby core moving to a thin pink rim this Pinot Noir has light legs. On … Continue reading
Merlot, Hester Creek, Reserve Block 2, Okanagan Valley, BC, 14.4% abv, 2009
During a trip to Oliver, BC, deep in the southern Okanagan Valley, we visited Hester Creek Winery where we purchased this Merlot. It has a clear, deep ruby-purple core moving to a thick light ruby rim with noticeably viscous legs. On … Continue reading
“Liquid Art” Tasting – Trialto
My friend Terrence is a fabulous guy. Why is that, you ask? Well, amongst other attributes, he invited me (and some others in our wine class) to a tasting at his company’s Yaletown offices (Trialto). We tried almost 30 recent … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, Family Reserve, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2006, 13.5% abv, C$30 at winery
Friday night and the time is right for….Pinot! We visited the Mt. Boucherie winery near Kelowna in BC’s Okanagan Valley and enjoyed the tasting room and knowledgeable family members talking about their extensive range of wines. Mt. Boucherie produces three levels … Continue reading
Columbia Crest Grand Estates, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2008, 13.5% abv, C$20
After California, the US state that produces the most wine is Washington. The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington State, but a portion of it overlaps into Oregon. At its northern most end, it extends almost into BC’s Okanagan … Continue reading
Merlot, La Stella Maestoso, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2008, 14.7% abv.
In honour of a couple of great friends we had over tonight, I opened the La Stella 2008 Maestoso we purchased in Osoyoos). This was after we enjoyed a bottle of Vindication Cellars’ rosé and realized we’d been in Osoyoos and Oliver … Continue reading
Merlot, Heaven’s Gate, Summerland, Okanagan Valley 2009 14.5% abv, C$25
So now for a little bit of that wine a movie almost single handedly killed the market for. We picked this Merlot up in Summerland on the Bottleneck Drive wine tour. Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery used to be a peach orchard … Continue reading
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