Tag Archives: red wine

Pinot Noir, Cumières Rouge, Champagne Geoffroy, Coteaux Champenois AC, Champagne, France, 12.5% abv.

This is actually THE bottle that is the pictured headliner on this very site.  I snapped that picture in June 2014 when visiting Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, his lovely wife and tribe of spirited daughters in Aÿ. The cork used is a traditional … Continue reading

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Muga, Reserva, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 14% abv, C$26

This bottle of Muga Reserva 2010 travelled all the way around the world from Rioja Alta to a patio off the far west coast of Canada in Ucluelet, BC. One day, I will visit Rioja DOC and the Bodegas Muga … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Domaine Jules Desjourneys, Moulin-à-Vent, Cru Beaujolais, France, 2009, 13.5% abv.

Moulin-à-Vent is one of the most special of the Beaujolais crus and the wine can most closely resemble fine Burgundy when aged.  In fact, this bottle doesn’t even mention Beaujolais on the label but instead, refers to red ‘Burgundy’. Make … Continue reading

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Pietradolce, Nerello Mascalese, Etna Rosso DOC, Sicilia, Italia, 2012, 14.5% abv.

Here is a stunner straight from the north facing slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna. Grown on bush trained vines at 600m above sea level, the name of the winery is a direct acknowledgment of the volcanic soil the vines are rooted in – … Continue reading

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Graham Beck, Cabernet Sauvignon, The Game Reserve, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$19

The Western Cape is a very large geographical unit that encompasses most of the eastern wine lands of South Africa – including the Breede River Valley, the Coastal Region, Klein Karoo and Olifants River.  It’s massive.  Enormous.  And there’s a lot … Continue reading

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Qupé, Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California, 14.5% abv, 2005

When I started planning the brief trip to Santa Barbara, I also began to plot my assault on a bottle of locally produced Qupé.  It’s challenging to find in my corner of the world and this winery owned by winemaker Bob Lindquist … Continue reading

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Ruché, Caresana, Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Italia, 2013, 15% abv, C$30 (BCLB)

There isn’t very much of this Italian grape around – only about 40 ha of vines exist in Piedmont.  A DOCG since 2010, opinion is divided as to whether or not this is an indigenous Italian varietal or one that came from … Continue reading

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Podere Brizio, Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italia, 2006, 14.5% abv, C$120

This 100% Sangiovese is made by Roberto Bellini and Patrizia Mazzi.  They had originally owned a lot of land in Montalcino (the larger Pieve di Santa Restituta estate) and then sold all of it except for 9 ha to Angelo Gaja … Continue reading

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Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine.  The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading

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Les Sentius, Celler Joan Simó, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2009, 15.5% abv, 11 Euros

This version of the Priorat comes from the Porrera celler of Joan Simó (the celler complete with wall-mounted sundial is left), but was given to me by a UK wine buyer who was at Hotel-Hostal Sport in Falset when we ate … Continue reading

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