Samples from Maison Smith Montpetit, located in the heart of the Similkameen Valley in British Columbia, arrived today a brutally cold winter day where minus 13 Celsius seems balmy. Tonight minus 24. Fine for icewine but not so for humans. The labels bespeak first growth Bordeaux. Simple yet dignified. Only 150 cases of this 2022Continue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Merlot a Proud Right Banker (Not a Wanker!)”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version): 13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze
13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze Goodbye to the Shangri-La Singapore. No complaints whatsoever about that hotel. On the bus to the Woodlands Train Station bordering Malaysia to board the Eastern and Oriental Express (E&OE). I have preconceivedContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version): 13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine: Tempranillo in British Columbia!
Look out Rioja! Tempranillo has appeared yet again in British Columbia, Canada. The first Tempranillo I encountered was from Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan area of British Columbia and it was mighty impressive. This is far less so. Inniskillin’s Discovery Series presents 500 cases of its 2020 Tempranillo from the Okanagan. Aroma: Jampacked black fruitContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine: Tempranillo in British Columbia!”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara
You are more likely to see “Syrah” instead of “Shiraz” on Ontario wine labels. Is Jackson-Triggs hinting at an Australian Shiraz experience with their label for this wine? Aged in a combination of American and French oak. AROMA: Indeed, this has the richness and intensity one might expect from an Aussie Shiraz, but such attributesContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara”
RKS 2026 Wine: A Good Perspective on Portugal’s Douro?
2025 witnessed a dearth of Douro wine in Ontario for reasons unknown but we start 2026 with a LCBO Vintages 10January release with 5 Portuguese wines 3 of which are from the Douro. What about Perspectiva 2020 Red from the Douro? Does it offer a good perspective of a Douro red? Aged 12 months inContinue reading “RKS 2026 Wine: A Good Perspective on Portugal’s Douro?”
RKS 2025 Wine: The Best Wines of 2025
94 Colchester Estate Winery Grand CREW Cabernet Sauvignon (Canada) 94 Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Merlot Okanagan Valley (Canada) 94 Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc (Canada) 94 Schild Estate Angus Brae Vineyard 2020 Shiraz (Australia) 94 Big Head Red #11 (Canada) 94 El Enemigo 2021 Single Vineyard Bonarda (Argentina) 94 Chateau Ste Michelle IndianContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: The Best Wines of 2025”
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 CANADIAN Wine: Reif Estate’s 2020 Niagara River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Ontario Cabernet Franc offers wine drinkers excellent results but with Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon it is “Brave New World”. It seldom impresses. What about the REIF Estate 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Ontario’s Niagara River appellation? Aroma: Blueberry, black cherry, licorice and charcoal. Palate: Diffuse and moderate tannins. The intriguing aromas do not migrate to theContinue reading “RKS CANADIAN Wine: Reif Estate’s 2020 Niagara River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve”
RKS CANADIAN WINE: Akimbo but Not Forgotten Viewpointe 2012 Ontario Cabernet Franc
I am uncertain if this Viewpointe Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc from Ontario’s Lake Erie North Shore was a sample provided by the winery or I purchased it at a hurried trip to the winery some years ago. It was at the low far bottom rack of the wine cellar and was “discovered” in aContinue reading “RKS CANADIAN WINE: Akimbo but Not Forgotten Viewpointe 2012 Ontario Cabernet Franc”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Chardonnay from British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley
Hand picked and hand sorted grapes destemmed and pressed into stainless steel to settle for 24 hours then racked into a combination of French oak (24% new) and stainless steel for 9 months before bottling. 215 6 pack cases produced. Aroma: Mango, apricot, peach, Matsu apples and toffee. The oak is well integrated into theContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Chardonnay from British Columbia’s Similkameen Valley”
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