Category Archives: Food

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc

Another red from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It is a Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in French and American oak. Aroma: Both black and red cherry offer initial welcoming notes with a deep blackberry and mocha riff. Although comparisons are often odious it reminds one of a Niagara Cabernet FrancContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc”

RKS 2025 Wine: El Enemigo Chardonnay from Argentina: 2018 vs. 2023

El Enemigo 2023 Chardonnay Aroma: Up in your face oak as if it has hijacked the wine. Pineapple, mango, pear and cinnamon. Fresher and lighter than the 2018. Palate: A bit raspy and abrasive whereas the 2018 is far smoother. You taste the oak. Rather thin in comparison to the 2018. Acids are noticeable andContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: El Enemigo Chardonnay from Argentina: 2018 vs. 2023”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?

If you can’t produce a top-notch Cabernet Franc in Ontario you might as well go home. There were 366 cases of 2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc produced. Aroma: On the head of the nail with bright cherry, black cherry, cocoa and cola. Palate: Packs more of a punch than its tender aromas might suggest andContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah from Beautiful British Columbia: An Affordable Canadian Côte-Rôtie????

The standard slogan, now gradually disappearing, on British Columbia license plates was “Beautiful British Columbia”. What is not disappearing on the shelves of state monopoly liquor distributor in the province of Ontario (LCBO) are the wines of British Columbia because there were so few of them anyways so not much to disappear. As American winesContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah from Beautiful British Columbia: An Affordable Canadian Côte-Rôtie????”

RKS 2025 Wine: Montes Alpha 2021 Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon

Chile has a leg up when the subject is quality and affordable wine many of which are under $20 CDN. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Carmenére. It has rested 16 months in French oak. Montes Alpha 2021 Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is running in the quality pack! Aroma: Richer than Jeff Bezos. MassiveContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Montes Alpha 2021 Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon”

RKS 2025 Wine: Moving Beyond the Tyranny of Argentinian Malbec: Bonarda!

The El Enemigo 2021 El Barranco Single Vineyard Bonarda is 85% Bonarda and 15% Cabernet Franc aged for 15 months in old French foudres. Aroma: Huge black and red fruit particularly blueberry and blackberry complimented by blueberry pie and a smidge of dark chocolate. Palate: With such mega fruit is the wine jammy? No spinContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Moving Beyond the Tyranny of Argentinian Malbec: Bonarda!”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Queen Bee 2023 Niagara Peninsula Rosé

Ontario rosé is nothing to sneeze at. But I fear I will be stung by the heavy Muscat component of this Queen Bee rosé as Muscat can be very tiresome in blended dry white and rosé with a very notable exception being the rosé wines by Vokakis Winery on the Greek Island of Samos. AContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Queen Bee 2023 Niagara Peninsula Rosé”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier

Viognier is a rare grape in Ontario! So with great interest Viognier from Palatine Hills. Aroma: Apricot, peach, Seville marmalade, mango and talcum powder. Palate: Guava, banana and Orri tangerine. Firm. Dry. Big mouthfeel. Long finish. Personality: Don’t be timid about giving me a try. You will not find much of me as a singleContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Adamo’s 2021 Bistro Wine

Adamo’s 2021 Bistro red wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.9% Merlot, 4.6% Malbec and 2.3% Petit Verdot. The grapes were purchased in the Niagara Peninsula region of Ontario. 20% of the wine was aged in oak. 920 cases made. What is a bistro wine? Simple French food such asContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Adamo’s 2021 Bistro Wine”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada

Rosehall Run 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay is an “entry level” Chardonnay from Rosehall Run in Prince Edward County although it is a VQA Ontario wine as opposed to VQA Prince Edward County. Wonder if the grapes were trucked in from Niagara? Aroma: Pear, apple, lemon, pineapple and some lemon meringue pie. Palate: Crisp and taut. WhileContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada”