Blue Mountain, Brut, Methode Traditionnelle, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, NV, C$24

Posted on August 10, 2012 by winellama

blueWhat better way to toast three sisters being back together after two years apart than to start with some Canadian sparkling wine.

From the Okanagan Falls area located south of Penticton and north of Oliver in the Okanagan Valley, this sparkler is made from equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with 6% Pinot Gris on top.

Although it has been made in the traditional method, there was a lack of bread or biscuit in this wine.

Pale lemon with a fine mousse (tiny bubbles a la Don Ho) it has an aroma and flavour profile of lemon citrus and Granny Smith apple.  The wine is dry and has medium acidity.

Simple, light and easy-drinking to enjoy with everyone.  WSET ‘Good’.

Drink now; do not age.

 

Posted in BC, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shiraz, Katnook, Founder’s Block, Coonawarra, Australia, 2008, 13.5% abv

Posted on August 10, 2012 by winellama

 

a7‘I’m behind in my posts,’ I lament to my other half who replies with ‘Who’s watching and waiting?’

A good question.

This wine is deep ruby with a nose of deep red fruit – especially raspberry – cinnamon spice and black pepper. There’s also some vanilla and mocha.

Dry with medium plus acidity, it has medium body and flavours of black cherry and raspberry fruit, more vanilla and licorice with pepper and toast.  Tannins are medium and drinking perfectly.

The finish is only medium, but suits this warm summer evening.

Drink now, not intended for further ageing.

Posted in Australia, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vindication Cellars, Rosé, Oliver, British Columbia, 2011, 13.5%

Posted on August 5, 2012 by winellama
Summer is finally here and I’m relaxing on the balcony while five tired teenaged rugby playing girls and one happy 14 year old boy are in the living room.
The timing is perfect to enjoy winemaker Jeff del Nin’s Vindication Cellars 2011 rosé from Oliver, BC.Dry, this wine has medium plus aromas of strawberries, ripe red fruit, savoury herb and red pepper.  Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, it was held on the skins for 48 hours.  Its colour is gorgeous – strawberry juice!
On the palate, it’s redolent with more fresh strawberry, raspberry, sour cherry and spicy jalapeno pepper.
Not available in stores – but can be purchased by the case directly from the winemaker himself if you’re so inclined.
Posted in BC, Cabernet Franc, ROSE | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicello Classico 2007 Veneto, Italy

Posted on August 4, 2012 by winellama

With its opaque ruby colour and violet rim, this Amarone was a pleasure to drink with Rosa at Cioppino’s in Yaletown, Vancouver.

Dry, it offers a ripe, red fruit profile with vanilla, clove, medium dusty tannins and medium plus acidity.  After a few hours of being open, it developed cooked plum and raisin along with a dusty mocha.

Beautifully balanced, extremely popular, it is a solid WSET Good wine.  Masi Costasera, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy label

Posted in Amarone della Valpollicella, Italy, RED | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Luigi Bosca, Single Vineyard Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo DOC, Argentina 2009 14.1%, $34 @ Legacy

Posted on August 1, 2012 by winellama

First, a lament. a4 I’ve been told I’m not allowed to purchase any more bottles until I drink most of what I have. Better get moving… There are 51 in the pantry. Have I mentioned how desperate I am for a cellar?

This week’s homework is from a single vineyard in a small Argentine DOC located inside Mendoza and planted at 960m.  Some of the world’s highest commercial vineyards are planted in Argentina.

This wine has an intense deep purple core and a thin ruby rim, with firm tannins and aromas of violets, ripe black fruit, ripe black cherry and oak.  Flavours of cassis, sweet black plum and dusty blackberries pervade.  A deep and d a r k  wine.  There is some spicy vanilla and slight sweet clove from the 14 months it spent in oak.

Beautifully balanced and an absolute a joy to drink alongside steak or any meaty dish.

WSET ‘Very Good’ wine.  Drink now, or may be kept 3 more, although it’s highly unlikely to last that long on my shelf.

 

Posted in Argentina, Malbec, RED | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Skillogalee, Riesling, Clare Valley, Southern Australia 2011, 12% abv (C$22)

Posted on July 31, 2012 by winellama

Riesling is a specialty of the Clare Valley which lies north of Barossa and Adelaide in Southern Australia.

It was settled by Germaa3n immigrants – and much of their influence persists to this day in terms of place names as well as grape varieties.

Many of the vineyards are planted about 500m above sea level with this Skillogalee vineyard at 400m.  Being at elevation ensures the grapes retain their acidity, crisp flavours and aromas.

The wine is pale lemon and has aromas of pomello, yellow grapefruit and white peach. With its medium plus acidity and minerality and just the slightest bit of residual sugar, it went fabulously with our Yamato sushi and miso soup.

Finally, the kicker – Clare Valley Rieslings develop petrol aromas in their youth and this example didn’t disappoint.

Solid WSET ‘Good’ wine – drink now or put aside for 203 to develop the petrol.

Posted in Australia, Riesling, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vista d’Oro, Homestead Estate Cider, Langley Valley, British Columbia, 9.5% abv, C$17.50

Posted on July 30, 2012 by winellama

aIt was a busy day at the Vista D’oro Winery today where I worked on Marechal Foch canopy management with Patrick.

The hard work makes relaxing with some Vista D’oro Farmhouse Estate Cider extremely attractive.

This is only 9.5% abv and made from 12 different varieties taken directly from the orchard, stone ground and straw layered. Unfined, unfiltered, bone dry and extremely refreshing.

Tonight I added a touch of ginger ale to sweeten it and add some bubbles.  Available every summer…

Posted in BC, Cider | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cover Drive by Jim Barry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawara, Southern Australia 2009, 14% abv

Posted on July 29, 2012 by winellama
The South Australian wine region of Coonawarra is synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon and home to many famous names including Wynn’s, Majella, Katnook and Yalumba.  It’s located about 60 km west of the ocean which gives it a climate similar to that of Bordeaux and thus, perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.
a1
Vinifera grapes have been grown here since the late 1800s and last century it led the way when Australian winemakers began to change from the focus on stickies (Aussie for port and sherry-like wines) to dry reds.
This wine has medium plus, rich black fruit, cassis, blackberry, leather and a definite mint and eucalyptus herbaceousness.
We enjoyed it with a maple syrup and curry encrusted bbq’d steak.
 WSET ‘Very Good’ wine; drink now and whenever possible.
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Forefront, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pine Ridge Vineyards, California, 2008, 14.1% abv, C$44

Posted on July 29, 2012 by winellama

I was doing homework for the WSET Americas class and the clerk at Legacy suggested I would enjoy this 2008 Californian Cab Sav. At C$44, I expected much more.

a2

I was intrigued by the label which indicated the careful choice of varietals (Cab Sav and Syrah) from three AVAs and a quick online search showed there is also Petit Verdot and Malbec in the blend (84% is from Napa, 9% from San Luis Obispo, 7% Lake Counties).

With a medium plus ruby core and medium plus alcohol that needed time to blow off, there is also loads of blackberry and cassis alongside thistle, vines and leaves.

Some cedar and black pepper round out the palate and aromas, but the finish was short.

WSET Good and over-priced for what is delivered.

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Hello world!

Posted on July 28, 2012 by winellama

Welcome to my wine blog.  I thought it would be a good time to switch my, ahem,  prolific facebook posts about wine to a blog format so the few friends I do have didn’t ‘unfriend’ me.  So there is no confusion as to the terms I use, let it be known I will use WSET descriptors (Wine and Spirit Education Trust).  So with that, sit back, relax and enjoy the wine – spit if you must.

Llama

Posted in OTHER | 1 Comment