Tag Archives: red wine

Carménère, Black Hills Estate Winery, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 12.5% abv.

Canada’s first Carménère wine comes from the Okanagan Valley’s Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver, located just north of Osoyoos and south of the Naramata Bench.  The vines were planted in 1999 and the wine produced there has acquired a bit … Continue reading

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Church & State, Hollenbach Family Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 13.9% abv, C$26

There’s BC salmon on the dinner menu, so we need a Pinot Noir. Fully 100% Pinot, this wine won silver medals for 2011 at both the Canadian Wine Championships and the London, UK International Wine and Spirit Competition.  The year … Continue reading

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Ludovicus, Celler Piñol, DO Terra Alta, Tarragona, Spain, 2008, 14% abv.

The WSET Advanced Level 3 award results came through today – after waiting only 12 weeks.  I passed with Distinction in both the theory and tasting portions of the exam. Thrilled. Yup. Jumping with proverbial joy. What better way than … Continue reading

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Regusci, Stags Leap District, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2008

What a treat and why did I wait so long to enjoy this fruity and lush 92% Californian Cab Sav blended with 8% Merlot and the remainder a dash of Cabernet Franc. With a clear, deep garnet core moving to … Continue reading

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Ciabot Mentin, Barolo DOCG, Domenico Clerico, Piedmonte, Italia, 2007, 14.5%, US $91

Birthdays on the wrong side of 45 can be a shock to the system, but gifts like this really ease the pain of it all. We drove our rental car to a suburban ‘Total Wine’ store in Northwest Vegas and … Continue reading

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Foxgrove, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, 13% abv, US$7 for 187 ml

It’s my birthday and I’ll drink if I want to – even at 30,000 feet out of a tiny, plastic bottle. Right away, I’m suspicious – the cute little red fox pictured on the Barbie-sized packaging, the eponymous ‘Southeastern Australia’ … Continue reading

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Tinto Pesquera, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero DO, Alejandro Fernandez, Crianza, Spain 2009,14% abv, US $32

Rather than lug this back through customs in my tiny suitcase, I decided to liberate it on an evening in Boston. It could have waited a few years as it’s still a tad green and grippy. That said, it was … Continue reading

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Vina Ardanza, Reserva Especial, Rioja Alta, Rioja AOC, Spain, 13.5% abv, US $32

Purchased in New Haven, Connecticut, this is an 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha blend made only in special vintages – 1964, 1973 and this 2001 example. The wine has a clear, deep, rich garnet core moving to a thick bricked ruby … Continue reading

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Mon Coeur, J. L. Chave Selection, Côtes du Rhône AC, France, 14.5% abv, $29 at BC Liquor Stores

An alert from ever-helpful Raquel at the local BC Liquor brought my attention to this wine. At $10 off the regular $29 price, who was I to say no to trying out a new wine. This is a Syrah – … Continue reading

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Joseph Drouhin, Pinot Noir, Beaune Premier Cru, France, 2008, 13% abv, C$50

Here is an idea for a Pinot Noir to accompany your Thanksgiving dinner and fixings. The wine has a medium, ruby red core moving to a thin pink rim with medium legs.  Its nose has medium intensity and is developing with … Continue reading

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