Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2023 Wine:  2019 Boya Syrah From Chile: Conquering the Barnyard!

The Boya 2019 Syrah is from Chile’s Leyda Valley. It was aged in neutral oak for 16 months. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry and a bit too much barnyard leaning toward funky. Brett? Some like that “perfumed earth” smell believing it gives some charm to a red wine. A bit of a snake charmer so oneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine:  2019 Boya Syrah From Chile: Conquering the Barnyard!”

RKS 2023 Film: “Retirement Plan”: Bang Bang, Garroting and a Few Broken and Slashed Necks

Ashley’s husband Jimmy double-crosses his crime boss Donny by stealing a hard drive from him in Miami but Donny (Jackie Earle Hailey) and his thugs manage in the robbery attempt to blast Jimmy’s companion who dies with shots to the gut in the robbery getaway car driven by Ashley. Jimmy correctly suspecting his goose isContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Retirement Plan”: Bang Bang, Garroting and a Few Broken and Slashed Necks”

RKS 2023 Film: Toronto International Film Festival Winner “KANAVAL”

“KANAVAL” a feature film written and directed by Henri Pardo was honored with the Amplify Voices Award for Best BIPOC Canadian Feature also picking up an Honourable Mention for Best Canadian Feature Film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Nine-year-old Rico (Rayan Dieudonné) and his mother Erzulie (Penande Estime) flee 1975 Haiti after hisContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: Toronto International Film Festival Winner “KANAVAL””

RKS 2023 Film: “Dreamin’ Wild”: Rock n Roll “Back to the Future”!

How many serious and penetrative rock n roll films have you seen? Probably few if any. Good times, booze, dope, sex and often destruction. Joplin, Moon, Hendrix, Prince or Michael Jackson. “Dreamin’ Wild” probes the link between past and future and ends up solidly in the present. Minus drugs, booze and sex! Unrealistic you mayContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Dreamin’ Wild”: Rock n Roll “Back to the Future”!”

RKS 2023 Wine: A Seinfeld Stop Short Divergence Twenty Mile Bench Gamay Noir

As far as red wine pours there is no doubt Ontario Cabernet Franc can stand up to the best. Ontario Gamay Noir has that potential. The Divergence 2021 Gamay Noir from Divergence Wines in the Niagara region of Ontario is made from grapes grown on the Wismer Wingfield Vineyard. Divergence Wines appeared on the sceneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Seinfeld Stop Short Divergence Twenty Mile Bench Gamay Noir”

RKS Literature: The Cold Blade of a Journalist (Balzac)

“He savoured one of the secret and the keenest pleasures known to the journalist- that of sharpening his epigrams, whetting the cold blade that will find its mark in the heart of the victim, and decorating the pommel for the benefit of the reader. The public admires the clever workmanship of that sword and hasContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Cold Blade of a Journalist (Balzac)”

RKS 2023 Wine: Will Red Tractor 2021 Chardonnay Stall in the Mud?

Red Tractor is a “Creekside Brand” and I reviewed their 2017 Cabernet Franc and it made my best wine list of 2022. Their Cabernet Merlot I tried this year was absolutely dreadful. What will happen with the Red Tractor 2021 Chardonnay from St. David’s Bench in Niagara. Will its wheels get stuck in the mud?Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Will Red Tractor 2021 Chardonnay Stall in the Mud?”

RKS 2023 Retro Films: “The Marines That Never Returned” (KOREA)

KOREAN CINEMA’S GOLDEN DECADE: THE 1960s Series Korean Cinema’s Golden Decade The 1960 Series was featured at the Lincoln Center from 1-17 September. The series ran from September 1–17 and is one of the largest retrospectives ever of 1960s Korean Cinema outside of Korea, including many rarely screened films, several presented on 35mm archival prints.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Retro Films: “The Marines That Never Returned” (KOREA)”

RKS 2023 Wine: An Argentinian in the Shadow of Côte Rôtie: Escaping Mendozian Malbecian Tyranny

In the Northern Rhône in France there is a tiny appellation Côte Rôtie where a small amount of Viognier white is added to Syrah to create some magic. In this El Enemigo Syrah-Viognier from Mendoza in Argentina do we have an imitator? Is imitation the best form of flattery? 10% Viognier has been added toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: An Argentinian in the Shadow of Côte Rôtie: Escaping Mendozian Malbecian Tyranny”