RKS 2023 Wine: Boschendal 2020 Chardonnay from South Africa

Boschendal makes a very good Chenin Blanc so what can it do with a Chardonnay?

Aroma: Apple, pear, mango, guava and a smattering of pineapple.

Palate: There was some oak maturation of the wine but there are no flagrant oak notes on the palate or on the nose. Fair to say the oak does “beef up” the Chardonnay giving it a full mouthfeel and making it a bit more impressionistic than a stainless steel only Chardonnay.  Lemon and lime but without the citrus bite. Speaking of bite no noticeable acids making this a particularly smooth Chardonnay with no “buttery” influence.

Personality: I am a full-bodied Chardonnay not overly corrupted by oak. In my humble opinion the winemaker who oaked me knew the process of making a good lightly oaked Chardonnay.

Cellarbility: Drink through until the end of 2025.

Food Match: Chicken or rabbit on the grill simply marinated with lime, EVO Oil and oregano.

Price: $18.95 (CDN).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100.

(Boschendal Chardonnay 2020, Boschendal Wines, W.O. Western Cape, Groot Drakenstein, South Africa, 750 mL, 13.5%).

RKS 2023 Literature: The Appropriate Marriage (Charles Dickens)

“You to marry a second time without family! You to marry without beauty! You to marry without dignity! You to marry without connection! There is nobody in the world, not mad, who could dream of daring to entertain such a preposterous idea”!

“Dombey and Son”, “Charles Dickens

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Sudden Respect for Cats

Many humans assume put a cat and dog in each other’s space and a dog goes on attack mode. My one combative cat experience happened when I was barely out of puphood. Out for a walk I saw a cat ahead of me on the street and to the dismay of Master Robert I slipped out my collar and made a beeline for the cat and the damn cat scratched my nose causing it to bleed! My one and only foray into cat combat. Being a West Highland Terrier, we have a history of ratting which means we chase and destroy rodents, We catch one in our mouth and shake it back and forth and break its neck. Cruel you say. But can I excuse myself by saying I thought a cat is a rodent which no doubt will inflame a torrent of anti-Westie vitriol! Instinct dear reader. Instinct.

Now as it so happened in my later years The Stephen Family’s friend Mr. G acquired two ragdoll cats and when visiting Mr. G’s I was well mannered and refrained from attacking the cats. Cat claws are dangerous weapons. I count myself lucky on that initial attack as the injury could have been much worse!

RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Gamay Leads the Pack For 2023

The highest scoring red wine by RKS 2023 Wine so far is an Ontario Gamay by the name of Bachelder les Villages 2020 from the Niagara Peninsula. Other Ontario Gamays are also running hot up near the leaders of the pack. Hear the wolves howling?

Can the streak continue with a 13th Street Winery 2020 Gamay?

No oak involved here but rather stainless steel.

2000 cases were made.

Aroma: Loads of blackberry, black cherry, milk chocolate enveloped in a light smoky cloud.

Palate: Who said Gamay is a light, fresh and fruity wine? Well it can be that but wine always operates within boundaries. It is not light. It is bordering on full bodied. Fresh as in youthful? No. Fruity? Tight fruit with dusty cherry predominating with some blackberry and blueberry in 4th gear. Peppery short finish.

Personality: If you were looking for any elegance don’t unscrew my Stelvin cap. I am a back-alley Gamay.

Cellarbility: Drink by the mid point of 2024.

Food Match: Mushroom stroganoff or lamb burger.

Price: $ 19.95 CDN.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 88/100.

(13th Street Winery 2020 Gamay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, The Thirteenth Street Wine Corp., St Catharines, Ontario, 750 mL, 13%).

RKS Literature 2023: Woman by Day Skeleton at Night (Charles Dickens)

“Thus they remained for a long hour, without a word, until Mrs Skewton’s maid appeared, according to custom, to prepare her gradually for the night. At night she should have been a skeleton, with dart and hour-glass, rather than a woman, this attendant; for her touch was as the touch of Death. The painted object shrivelled underneath her hand; the form collapsed, the hair dropped off, the arched dark eyebrows changed to scanty tufts of grey, the pale lips shrunk, the skin became cadaverous and lose; an old worn nodding woman with red eyes, alone remained in Cleopatra’s place, huddled up, like a slovenly bundle, in a greasy flannel gown.”

“Dombey and Sons”, Charles Dickens

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Five Top No Likes

  • Being left alone: I understand that I could never be with The Stephen Family around the clock. I mean sometimes they even went to places dogs were not allowed…can you believe such a place exists! Yes, I even had a dog walker that would come in and take me for long walks with three other dogs. And there were days that Master Robert and Mistress Fotini would work from home. So it wasn’t all that bad. And Master Andrew would be home from school a couple hours after my dog walker walk. What can I say is I liked being with The Stephen Family. And when that suitcase came out believe you me I knew what was around the corner!
  • Water: Water frightens me especially lakes, rivers and pools. I could never rationalize why. I really dreaded baths and as soon as I heard the water running I would cry and shiver. Master Robert and Master Andrew realized this and sweet talked me calming me down the best they could. After being toweled dry I would take off and roll around the carpet grunting. That would get most of the water off and I felt so good. And yes despite the bravado it is nice to feel clean and smell good.
  • Doing stupid things: I was more rambunctious as a younger dog. I did a few stupid things. One Christmas I even knocked down the Christmas tree and it came crashing down on me. I was not hurt but shocked. Broken ornaments all over the place. Then three not so good interactions with humans; two nips and grabbing the pant legs of that old guy on the street.
  • The car: I never liked the car as it made me feel like my head was floating up in space. And if the car was in reverse if I was not so dizzy I would have howled.
  • Being moved when I was napping: When a dog naps the dog naps. Interruptions of a physical nature like moving me miffed me and I almost always gave a warning growl. Can I blame this (or get away with it) on the stubbornness of West Highland Terriers?

Memories of Dylan Stephen: Memories of Dylan Stephen: My Top Five Likes!

  • Living with caring and loving Stephen Family. I like plastering my body next to theirs when they are sitting. I am not really a cuddler
  • Greeting the Stephen Family at the door
  • Treats especially meat a very rare commodity with The Stephen Family. My mandatory piece of toast and fruit at breakfast. I love Montreal style bagels. Oh and yes cheese!
  • Sleeping in the sun
  • Walks especially off-leash!

RKS 2023 Film: “Til Death Do Us Part”: Nasty Fights, Lots of Blood, Simplistic Plot

It is the day of the big wedding. Bride (Natalie Burn) decides not to marry poor Groom and she wants the wedding not to occur but additionally wants “out” of the “University”. The University is some shady organization specializing in hits in foreign jurisdictions. CIA? FSB? CSIS? Spectre?

You can’t simply out yourself from the University. Escape perhaps but you’ll be hunted down. The hunt starts when Bride flees to her family’s rambling country estate where Best Man (Cam Gigandet) and the Seven Groomsmen track down Bride. Bride is a killer and perhaps the best in the University and in a set of stylistic martial arts style fights assisted by knives, a golf club, a shovel and a chain saw the Groomsmen make their final walk down the aisle.

Great soundtrack and somewhat delightfully offbeat with 50’s rock, crooner jazz and rockabilly. However the plot is somewhat simplistic and perhaps a good excuse for violence.

What to call this type of film might be a bloody suspense film and the dance between the Bride and Groom will have you on the edge of the chair as you just know either the Bride or the Groom will be having their last dance.

Natalie Burn has the action sequences down pat. As for acting Cam Gigandet flashes some really hot talent as the slightly offbeat if not psychologically disturbed bad guy. Have they casted the new James Bond yet? Gigandet would be a good choice. The knife to the neck of the Best Man by the Bride is the weakest in the film as it drags on where the energy of the film at that point surpasses the actual scene.

North American theatrical release on August 4th.

You can see the trailer here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQpYoUEswRI

RKS 2023 Film Rating 79/100.

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Bucket List

God decided when I should be born and he decided when I should die.

I had a full life and I have no complaints. I would have preferred to die in my sleep as all of us dogs and humans wish for. Not in the cards.

I would have liked to make it to my 15th birthday as a party had been planned and I love parties! So I really have one item on my bucket list and that was to visit New York and walk in Central Park. Mistress Fotini told me so many stories about Central Park. The lagoon, the baseball diamond, Strawberry Fields, break dancers and lots of Manhattan dogs. We had tentative plans to drive down so I would avoid the airplane. Well God had other plans for me. Master Robert had wanted to take me to Ritz-Carlton Central Park South so he could have a martini in the lobby bar and show me off.

And oh yes a walk across the bridge to Brooklyn! And perhaps some Hallal Chicken from a food cart on 42nd!

And one more thing. I would like to return to my home and tell The Stephen Family how much I miss them and tell them I am doing fine up here. I hope they feel everything is fine.

RKS 2023 Wine: Featherstone’s Pinkie Pinot Grigio

When I use “Pinkie” I am not referring to a socialist wine but rather the color of the 2022 Featherstone Pinot Grigio. Featherstone arguably makes Niagara’s best rosé but what can they do with Pinot Grigio?

Aroma: Tangerine, peach, apricot and rose Turkish Delight.

Palate: This is about as full bodied one could expect for a Pinot Grigio. It certainly advises your palate it is here! Orange, peach and some candy cane. A delightful bit of raspiness on the finish somewhat like an Encruzado from the Dão.

Personality: Hey are you a bit tired of that washed out Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Italy? Rest assured I will not wimp you out. I speak with character and authority. Moroccan chicken with clementines. I must chuckle a bit with the label that states the wine pairs well with scallops, risotto and chicken. For example how many diverse chicken dishes do you know that require a red wine. If any statement is made about food matches for any wine please be a bit more specific!

Cellarbility: I would risk holding this until the end of 2024.

Price: $17.95 CDN.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. Dean Tudor 90.

(Featherstone 2022 Featherstone Pinot Grigio, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Featherstone Estate Winery, Vineland, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%)