Tag Archives: red wine

Pinot Noir, Fort Berens, Lillooet, BC VQA, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$26

How is this possible?  A Canadian winery poised at 50.5 degrees north latitude – just outside the usually accepted outermost limits of vinifera grape growing. Yet, there Fort Berens lies, thumbing its nose at the non-believers, and producing quality Pinot … Continue reading

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Rabaja, Cascina Luisin, Barbaresco DOCG, Italia, 1996, 13.5% abv, US$50 (rarewineco.com)

This Barbaresco is 100% Nebbiolo and comes from a (still) family-owned Piedmonte winery established in 1913.  The Rabaja vineyard is close to the central village of Barbaresco and the famous River Tanaro runs below the property and moderates the vineyard’s climate. Today … Continue reading

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Montevertine, Rosso di Toscana, Radda, Toscana IGT, Italy, 2009, 13% abv, C$50

Let’s just cut to the chase. The Montevertine Rosso is, well… outstanding. A Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino blend made by winemaker Martino Manetti, the winery left the world of the rule-bound Consorzio and declared itself an IGT rated producer after the 1990 vintage. The wine … Continue reading

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Azelia, Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, Bricco Dell’Oriolo, Castiglione Falletto, Italia, 2012, 13% abv

I probably don’t need to tell you what happens when several wine and food geeks get together and each brings a nerdy bottle of wine. Not only was there an abundance of alcohol and food, but also of educated opinion. … Continue reading

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Foxtrot, Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv, C$50

Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation. Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003. … Continue reading

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Malivoire, Gamay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$17.95

Prohibition. Prohibiting something rarely, if ever, accomplishes the original goal.  Whether it involves anti-drug campaigns, teenage abstinence programs or international trade embargoes, relying on fear, shaming and isolation tactics rarely produce the hoped for results. This extends to alcohol; the … Continue reading

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Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Winery, Napa Valley, 2011, 14% abv

While at Trader Joe’s last summer on a cross-border run, I did a scan for the most expensive red wine I could buy and this was the one- a whopping $20.  “Go big or go home”, I thought. I went … Continue reading

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Tantalus, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley VQA, Kelowna, BC, 2010, 13.4% abv

Christmas is fast approaching and I always love to have a Pinot alongside the turkey and cranberry sauce.  Gamay wines, Pinot Noirs and even Cab Francs go swell with holiday bird.  They’re light enough and the tannins are subtle to … Continue reading

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Mastroberardino, Aglianico, Campania IGT, Italy, 2007, 13% abv

Here is a fly-under-the-radar, smokin’ hot deal of a wine.  From southern Italy’s Campania region, it is an unoaked example of pristine fruit and complexity. With a medium ruby hue and deep legs, this wine has medium plus aromas of boysenberry, plum and … Continue reading

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Langmeil, SMG, Three Gardens, Barossa, Australia, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$30

Any excuse – yes, give me one and I’ll open up a GSM.  In this case, I can blame having to open that lovely blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre on my 17 year old’s birthday dinner. I noticed on … Continue reading

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