Tag Archives: red wine

Dominio IV, The Tango, Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge AVA, Three Sleeps Vineyard, Oregon, US, 2006, 13.8% abv, US$45

I’m so confused. Most who know me would say that’s a permanent state (insert raised eyebrow here).  That aside, herein lies the source of my befuddlement. This wine is made from Tempranillo, but the winery is based in Oregon’s McMinnville … Continue reading

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Les Solitaires, Chateau la Begude, Gigondas AC, Gabriel Meffre Negociant-Eleveur, France, 2010, 14.5% abv

Gigondas is well-known as the little sibling to Chateauneuf-de-Pape and hails from France’s Southern Rhone Valley. An Appellation Controlee since 1971, most wines made here are red and may be no more than 80% Grenache. Some roses are made, but no … Continue reading

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Quails’ Gate, Old Vines Foch, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, 2009, 15% abv.

It’s Sunday morning and I stumble sleepily into the living room, fire up the iPad and think, “What a perfect time to catch up on a few posts.” I pull out the bottle and a glass so I can take … Continue reading

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L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico, 2011, 13.5% abv, C$17

They’ve been growing vinifera vines in Mexico since the 1500s and at one point, the King of Spain decreed that each settler would have to plant 1000 vines for each 100 natives ‘granted’ to his lands.  That’s a lot of … Continue reading

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Andretti Winery, Sangiovese, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.9% abv.

Sangiovese is a black grape native to Central Italy and primarily Toscana whose name literally means ‘Blood of Jove’, the Italian name for Jupiter. It’s Italy’s most planted variety, is the only grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino and is … Continue reading

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Galil Mountain, Shiraz, Kibbutz Yiron, Galilee, Israel, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$22 (kosher)

Being the cradle of civilization as we know it, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that grapes and vines have been grown in Israel since biblical times.  In the Old Testament’s book of Deuteronomy, grapes were listed as one of … Continue reading

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Et Fille, Pinot Noir, Kalita Vineyard, Newberg, Oregon, 2010, 13% abv.

Blind tasting – it strikes fear into the heart of wine professionals and cork dorks alike. We all know someone who seems to have an uncanny ability to pronounce what grape has been used, what country or region it’s from … Continue reading

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Craggy Range Single Vineyard, Te Kahu, Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Gimblett Gravels – try saying that 10 times over after a few glasses of wine. The area is renowned for its Bordeaux blends. Located in Hawkes Bay on the eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island, Gimblett Gravels is a … Continue reading

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San Cristoforo, Azienda Agricola Pietro Rinaldi, Barbaresco DOCG, Alba, Piemonte, Italy, 2007, 14%, C$60

I caught this one at the height of its perfection. Not being a frequent consumer of Italian wine, I have to admit I need to study just a little (ok, maybe a lot) before I go to buy anything. Can … Continue reading

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Trivento Golden Reserve, Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2011, 14.5% abv

Argentina is the most important wine producing country in Latin America. Since the 1990s, it has been one of the most dynamic regions and in 2004 it was the 5th largest producer in the world. Well over 40% of its … Continue reading

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