RKS 2023 Wine: Yet Another Excellent Chilean Carmenère: Morandé 2020 Gran Reserva Carmenère

At $16.95 this wine is a steal. How long can Chilean red wine competitors stand in the face of such reasonable prices for full bodied red wine?

The wine has spent 18 months in French oak foudres.

Aroma: Freshly picked raspberries and raspberry jam shine through. Also blackberries and a bit of mocha.

Palate: Relaxed tannins. More of those raspberries with rich super ripe strawberries. Full bodied and just about at its prime although it would not protest if you kept it imprisoned for another year.

Personality: You know I have a fear you may be accustomed to excellent Chilean Carms. Boredom of excellence is a sin my dear reader. Embrace me. Don’t run!

Food match: Handicapped having not visited Chile (yet!) I can’t connect you with a Chilean cuisine match. But given the raspberry presence I think duck is a great match. Or possibly pork tenderloin medallions in a raspberry jam and Carmenére reduction sauce served over polenta.

Cellarbility: The wine will improve slightly through 2024 but consume by the end of 2025.

Price: $16.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating:  90/100. Natalie Maclean 91.

(Morandé Gran Reserva Carmenère 2020, D.O. Maipo Valley, Viña Morandé, Pelequén, Chile, 750 mL, 14%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 371112).

RKS 2023 Wine: More Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile: Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon from Errazuriz

There is no mistaking Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon has upped its game over the past decade producing some very worthy examples. Fair to say they have not reached cult status as many Californian Cabernet Sauvignons have. Why is that? Could it be “over fascination” with those Cali Cabernet Sauvignons? Could it be the length of time the Californians have been on the market? Could it be the crowds of corporate lawyers and executives and physicians anxious to impress without having to mix Coca-Cola with Chateau La Sewer?

The grapes were grown in a vineyard 600 metres above sea level in loam and gravel.

Is this Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon worthy of the lips of neurologists of the world? Their lips and palate may not be better than yours and mine but their wallets and egos may be bigger!

Aroma: More of that irrepressible Chilean raspberry one frequently encounters in Chilean red wine. Rich blueberry and black cherry with some gentle lavender notes.

Palate: A firm texture but no bullying by tannins. The firmness does restrain the fruit as the blackberry, black cherry and blueberry are there in the next room trying to get in. There is some juiciness to the wine aided and abetted by sweet red cherries that have partially opened the door of the adjoining room and it gives the wine a charming finish.

Food match: The label suggests, venison, wild boar and baby lamb. No need to quibble with that.  

Personality: A nun on vacation in Nice. Charming austerity.

Cellarbility: Needs at least another year in the bottle to open. Hold until 2026.

Price: $22.95.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 92/100. James Suckling 92.

(Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Viña Errazuriz, Panquehue, Chile, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 203364).

RKS 2023 Films: “Living with Chucky”

I have lived all my years without Chucky. I am uncertain what thrill there is in these slasher films. Ooops sorry wrong horror genre! Slash and hacker doll genre? Sounding like a preacher and a geezer but how depraved to watch the murder of human beings and get a thrill out of it. Sorry I will admit I have yet to attend a Comicon. Now of course not including slashers and doll murderers in my viewing slate I must attend a global inclusion re-education camp along with those anti-vaxxers!

Despite my moralistic streak “Living with Chucky” is a fascinating dive into the Chucky franchise that started in 1988 with “Child’s Play” and followed with “Child’s Play 2”, “Child’s Play 3”, “Pride of Chucky”, “Seed of Chucky”, “Curse of Chuckie” et al. Nine puppeteers to get Chucky on his feet!

I suppose why not end it all with “Demise of Chucky”. Chucky may have filled in the boredom vacuum caused by an excess of classic slasher movies in the 1980’s but after 30 years of Chucky the doll still lumbers on without the use of digital animation!

You’ll get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Chucky team ranging from creators, writers, producers, puppeteers, actors and fans. Chucky and his team are very close knit many of whom were children when Chucky appeared in 1988 and really did grow up with the cute “serial killer”.

So diss me for insulting a killer doll but David Kirschner a producer for Chucky films notes Chucky is based on Charles Manson, Lee Harvey Oswald and James Earl Ray. Chucky’s real name is Charles Lee Ray. So I see all those proud fans dressing up their children to look like Chucky it ranks even worse than drag kids.

Chucky fans once you stop throwing rotten tomatoes at me you’ll enjoy this documentary. And somewhat guiltily like Eve I’ll reach for “Child’s Play” and end up eating my shirt.

The living with the Chucky family and the personal sacrifices made by the Chucky family along with the sappy music at the conclusion of the documentary seem maudlin.

The documentary opens up in the United States and Canada on 4April on VOD platforms.

You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KHG68Mn4io

RKS Film Rating 86/100.

RKS Literature: The Duel and Manhood

“The duel my friend, is not just any ‘arrangement’. It is the final arrangement, a return to the primal state of nature, only slightly moderated by certain chivalrous, but purely superficial rules. The essence of the situation remains what it has been since the beginning, a physical struggle, and it is each man’s duty, however far he may be from nature, to keep himself equal to the situation. Whomever is unable to  stand up for an ideal with his person, his arm, his blood, is unworthy of that ideal, and no matter how intellectual one may become, what matters is one remains a man. “

Thomas Mann, “The Magic Mountain”, 1914

RKS Literature: Individualism a Word for All Seasons

“Individualism was romantically medieval in its belief in the infinite, cosmic importance of each single creature, from which came the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, the theory of geocentrism and astrology. On the other hand, individualism was a matter of liberal humanism, which tended toward anarchy and wanted at all costs to protect the precious individual from being sacrificed to the interests of the whole. That was individualism, one thing and yet another, a word for all seasons,”

Thomas Mann, “The Magic Mountain”, 1914

RKS Literature: Both God and Nature Unjust (Thomas Mann)

“God and nature were both unjust, they had their favourites, chose to be gracious at random, adorned one man with precarious honours and the next with an easy, but ordinary fate. And for the man that would act? For him justice was, on the one hand, a paralyzing weakness, the very essence of doubt, and on the other hand, it was a trumpet call to reckless deeds. In order to remain within the spirit of morality, man was constantly correcting one meaning of “justice” with the other-so how could there be anything absolute and radical about the concept? “

Thomas Mann, “The Magic Mountain”, 1914.

RKS 2023 Wines: Syrah from Chile’s Limarí Valley

The Limarí Valley has a rich archaeological heritage and was prized for its agricultural significance since pre-Hispanic times. The topography creates the unique “Camanchaca” fog that brings moisture in the valley each morning and is blown away by cooling ocean breezes in the afternoon. The Limarí has proven itself for its quality Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and more recently its Pinot Noir.

We try a Gran Reserva 2021 Syrah from Santa Rita.

Aroma: Loads of blueberry and blackberry lead the charge.

Palate: The tannins are noticeable but not notable making the wine immediately approachable. Firm and steady as she goes on the ocean of your palate. Yes it has substance but is not boastful. Compact black fruit perhaps a bit too lean for those looking for immediate gratification instead of exercising a bit of patience.

Personality: If you follow my aroma I am outgoing if not ebullient. On the palate however I lose much of my flash and become somewhat boring.

Food Match: Spaghetti a la Bolognese or chicken cacciatore. This wine adores rich sauces.

Cellarbility: You can hold for a couple of years but don’t expect improvement.

Price: $17.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 88/100. James Suckling 92.

(Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Syrah 2021, Limarí Valley, Viña Santa Rita, Buin, Chile, 750 mL, 13%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 19236).

“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous” : Chapter 54 Meeting with Bernie Maggot and Fleece-Em Investment Management Company

The Greyhound Montreal to New York midnight bus is always a bizarre experience. Invariably Mennonites or Amish are denied entry into the United States. Then that rest stop at Saratoga Springs in New York is like a trip back to a 1950’s diner and the apple pie is almost worth the trip!

I arrived in Port Authority in New York at 08:00 hours and grabbed a taxi to my unit at the Dakota. I ran into Yoko Ono in the elevator and we gave each other a big hug. I didn’t much like her when John was alive but I have warmed up to her lately. I was invited to High Tea the following day with Yoko and that crazy painter friend of hers Kusama something or other?

After a quick shower and putting on the tie and suit I headed over to Bernie Maggot’s office at Bamboozle Towers on Madison Avenue. Maggot was a real dandy in the way he dressed very wealthy, eccentric and just a tad flashy. He later told me his dress style gave some comfort to his wealthy Hollywood clients.

We had a lunch of octopus curry and seaweed salad. Maggot made it clear on my reputation alone I had the job of general counsel for Fleece-Em Investment Management Company. Maggot had researched me well and knew my sizeable net wealth which he found comforting as if the rich can’t trust the rich he said the world would be going from hell to a handbasket. His previous General Counsel Johnny Beluga had “fallen out of a window” while on holidays to Russia and had met his demise. The Russian police had said a toxicology report revealed he had consumed enough vodka to kill elephant. Strange thing was Beluga was a teetotaller.

My job as General Counsel at Fleece-Em Investment Management Company was to run the corporation to the letter of the law. I had Sally Marigold and Faizal Faizal as my two junior lawyers. The salary was attractive and the work straightforward. Maggot made it clear I was to have no client interaction and was not to act as counsel or give any advice to Fleece-Em Investment Management Company’s fund management subsidiary Desfou & Charlatan High Net Worth Fund Management (Panama) Inc.

Maggot struck me as a nervous man who kept looking out his office window to the Manhattan streets below. He had a nervous flinch and a very guilty look when a police siren sounded below. It was wonderful to have a job dealing with “my kind” for once. No drug dealers, mutants, mental hospital patients and veterans many of whom needed a good shower and lots of deodorant. I was working in a pristine corporate environment clean as a whistle and not a hint of contamination! Oh the sweet virtues of Megacorp!

RKS 2023 Wine: Can’t Go Wrong Carménère from Chile?

While Malbec may be Argentina’s signature wine Carménère may be Chile’s although why peg a country having a signature wine? It just might create stereotypes. Look at New Zealand’s “signature wine” Sauvignon Blanc. Yet should it eclipse Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Merlot from New Zealand?

What I can say so far this year is that Chile does very well with Carménère. I may have experienced a rare clunker so Chile isn’t perfect and neither can any country be perfect when it comes to producing a particular variety of wine. Here we try an Apaltagua 2017 Carménère from the Colchagua Valley.

Aroma: As is often the case with many Chilean Carménère a strong raspberry presence. Secondary notes of strawberry and black cherry.

Palate: Ripe strawberries, cola and cactus pear. Full bodied with moderate tannins. Long finish with a bit of lingering pepper.

Food Match: I will put my hand up and go Greek with this so a Oktapodi Krasato which is octopus slow cooked in both Samian muscat wine and dry red wine served over polenta. The recipe is here https://www.greekboston.com/food/octopus-braised-wine-recipe/.

Personality: I am quite a serious wine so don’t let that raspberry on the nose trick you into thinking I am somehow related to Pinot Noir! I am approachable now and make a great sipping wine but I really partner well with rich saucy foods like the octopus dish described above. Given my price I kick butt! Chile is kicking butt price and quality wise.

Cellarbility: A couple more years in the bottle will soften the wine somewhat if that’s what you like.

Price: $16.75 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100. James Suckling 92.

(Apaltagua Gran Reserva Envero 2017 Carménère, Colchagua Valley, Viña Apaltagua, Curico, Chile, 750 mL, 14%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 481010).

“The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous”: Chapter 52: Back to New York to Work with Bernie Maggot

It took two years out of my life with the class action lawsuits resulting from the “disturbances” at the Queen Fairy Hospital for Veterans and the Mugless Mental Hospital. The biggest victory was against the United States Government for conducting covert LSD experimentation on certain Mugless patients. The judgment was for $120 million USD divided amongst 24 patients. There was also the judgement against McGill University for facilitating the LSD experimentation and that amounted to $1 with 46 million in punitive damages.  The class action against the Montreal Police Force for excessive violence in supressing the revolts was a $6 million payment into court. The Government of Canada settled for $1 and a contractual promise to bring up the standard of service based on measurable KPI’s (key performance indicators), including the installation of a lawn bowling court at the Queen Fairy Hospital for Veterans.

Aside from being totally exhausted there was a restlessness setting in. Yes I was doing society a good turn in bringing to account authorities abusing their power and neglecting their duties. I started giving thought to my wealth and perhaps it was time to move into the social circles dictated by my station in life. In one of my calls with Don Lupara, the father of my assassinated sweetheart Ginevra, mentioned that one of his “moneymen” Bernie Maggot in Manhattan was looking for an accomplished lawyer to assist him running his investment management business catering to high-net-worth clients. I mean the creme da la crème had accounts with him and they were raking in fabulous returns.

I called Maggot and arranged a meeting with him in his ritzy offices in mid-town Manhattan. I had my condo at the Dakota waiting for me and the bad memories of the shooting of my friend John Lennon unfortunately were lurking but not as painful as they used to be.

It was off on the midnight bus from Montreal to New York’s Port Authority.