Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2024 Wine: Quinta Do Espírito Santo from Lisboa

I rated the 2018 vintage an 87. How about this 2020? Aroma: A torrent of blackberry with some blueberry, black cherry and some dark chocolate identical descriptors I used for the 2018. Palate: The blackberry in this wine just won’t leave you alone! Blueberry too. A medium length finish. It handles its 15% alcohol wellContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Quinta Do Espírito Santo from Lisboa”

RKS 2024 Wine: A Shiraz/Cab Sauvignon Disaster from Australia’s Limestone Coast or Siberia? A Disgrace to Australian Wine and the Liquor Commission Board of Ontario

Aroma: Upon opening the wine it stinks of oak. Not fatal if with aeration it dissipates but not the mark of an exceptional wine. Some 20 minutes later the stink has diminished to simply far too much oak. Heck but if you like oaked wine is there a chance? Putting the oak aside or turningContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Shiraz/Cab Sauvignon Disaster from Australia’s Limestone Coast or Siberia? A Disgrace to Australian Wine and the Liquor Commission Board of Ontario”

RKS Literature: The Importance of Earnestness (Dickens)

“I have always been thoroughly in earnest. I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end. There is no such thing as fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, mayContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Importance of Earnestness (Dickens)”

RKS Literature: Attributes of My Success (Dickens)

“….I will only add, to what I have already written of my perseverance at this time of my life, and of a patient and continuous energy which then began to be matured within me, and which I know to be the strong part of my character, if it have any strength at all, that there,Continue reading “RKS Literature: Attributes of My Success (Dickens)”

RKS 2024 Wine: A Côtes Du Roussillon; Splendiferous Humility

From Southern France we try an Arnaud de Villeneuve 2022 Côtes du Roussillon. It is a blend of 65% Grenache Noir and 35% Syrah. Aroma: Disciplined in the sense it is content in the glass without having to shout out to your nose and slap it silly with excessive alcohol. Black cherry, blackberry, steroidal raspberryContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Côtes Du Roussillon; Splendiferous Humility”

RKS 2024 Wine: Au Revoir to South African Funkiness? Brainwashed or Cured?

My first wine show a few years ago was the New York Wine Expo at the Javitz Convention Center. It was something to be excited about. After focusing on Brazilian wines near the end of my few hours there I headed for the exit but being the dedicated newbie, I decided to breeze through theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Au Revoir to South African Funkiness? Brainwashed or Cured?”

RKS 2024 Film: “Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes”: A Photographic Grand Queen

George Platt Lynes (1907-1955) is the subject of a documentary shortly to be released in United States theatres entitled “Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes”. His story is recounted by a former lover, art historians, museum curators, former models, family members, former employees, film directors, gallerists and most importantly his photographs and correspondenceContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes”: A Photographic Grand Queen”

RKS 2024 Wine: A Wine from Langhe Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in Piedmonte

We try a Ellena Nebbiolo from the Langhe region of Piedmonte recognized by UNESCO in 2014 as a World Heritage Site. Aroma: A plenitude of red cherry perhaps even faint notes of raspberry and strawberry complimented by milk chocolate. Palate: The aroma may suggest a lighter red perhaps even a cheery light weight. However, aContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Wine from Langhe Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in Piedmonte”

RKS 2024 Film: “Cottontail”: Death and its Ripple Effect

Kenzaburo (Lily Franky) loses his wife Akiko to a degenerative neurological disease. Her last wishes as communicated in a letter given to Kenzaburo at her funeral ceremony requested that the family scatter her ashes in the waters of Lake Windemere in the Lake District of England, the home of Peter Rabbit and his sister Cotton-tail.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Cottontail”: Death and its Ripple Effect”

AMI’s “Postcards From…”: Season Five Episode 8: Whistler, British Columbia

In the eighth episode of season 5 of “Postcards From…” showing on the Accessible Media Incorporated television network and streaming service host takes us to Whistler, British Columbia a two-hour car ride from Vancouver. The “village” is somewhat cookie cutter as are “ski villages” in Collingwood, Ontario and Mont Tremblant in Quebec. Neither do weContinue reading “AMI’s “Postcards From…”: Season Five Episode 8: Whistler, British Columbia”