Aroma: Dense blueberry and blackberry predominate. Immediate impression of solidity and richness. Secondary notes of dark chocolate and licorice. Palate: Tannic imprint builds gradually, perhaps better known as “drying tannins”, infused with a bit of pepper. Blackberry, cherry liqueur, cranberry and some brackishness on the long finish. Oh, if it could only show more ofContinue reading “RKS Australian Wine: Redman 2022 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Multiple Personality Disorder?”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS FRENCH WINES: Château Mayne-Viel Fronsac 2019
Aroma: Creamy blackberry and cassis with a deep blueberry core. Palate: Creeping tannins making the wine on the verge of “tannic”. Chocolate, smoked meat, pepper and disguised black fruit. Long but rather dull finish. Personality: Serious but showing its age. Might have been exciting a couple of years ago. Food Match: Mushroom Wellington but pleaseContinue reading “RKS FRENCH WINES: Château Mayne-Viel Fronsac 2019”
RKS WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA: Glenelly 2018 Estate Reserve
This is a red blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 14% Syrah, 11% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. Grapes were hand picked, destemmed and lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. Matured for 18 months in 300 Liter French Oak barrels. 62,280 bottles produced. Aroma: Immediate richness. Blackberry, cassis, licorice, dark chocolate and ChristmasContinue reading “RKS WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA: Glenelly 2018 Estate Reserve”
RKS WINES OF ARGENTINA: Kaiken Ultra 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Kaiken can be trusted to deliver good Malbecs but can the same be said for its Cabernet Sauvignons? The only way to so determine is to open a bottle of Kaiken Ultra 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza. Grapes grown at 1,050 metres. 45% of the wine in French oak barrels (1/3 each in new/second/third use)Continue reading “RKS WINES OF ARGENTINA: Kaiken Ultra 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon”
RKS WINES OF FRANCE: A Cabernet Franc from the Loire in France: Somewhat of a Tired Old Bird
In Ontario we are accustomed to drinking world class Cabernet Franc produced here. So much so is it possible we overlook Saumur Champigny from the Loire in France? Don’t be deep faked by France with Cabernet Franc! In this case we try a Domaine Raton Clos des Cordeliers Cuvée Prestige Saumur Champigny 2019. Aroma: PrimaryContinue reading “RKS WINES OF FRANCE: A Cabernet Franc from the Loire in France: Somewhat of a Tired Old Bird”
RKS ONTARIO WINE: And Now for Something Completely Different: Rosewood Blau
There is Blaufränkisch galore in Austria and Germany but when encountered in Canada think of Monty Python’s “And Now For Something Completely Different”. Thank goodness for that incessant Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Ontario becomes boring. Three cheers to Rosewood for a Blaufränkisch. Cool label art by Liam Goslett. Don’t panic as itContinue reading “RKS ONTARIO WINE: And Now for Something Completely Different: Rosewood Blau”
RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Three) (Thomas De Quincey)
“Thus, for instance, opium, like wine, gives an expansion to the heart and the benevolent affections; but then with this remarkable difference, that in the sudden development of kind heartedness which accompanies inebriation, there is always more or less of a maudlin character which exposes it to the contempt of the bystander. Men shake theirContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Three) (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Two) (Thomas De Quincey)
“But still, wine constantly leads a man to the brink of absurdity and extravagance, and, beyond a certain point, it is sure to volatize and to disperse the intellectual energies: whereas opium always seems to compose what has been agitated, and to concentrate what had been distracted. In short, to sum up all in oneContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Two) (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS ONTARIO WINE: NO FOG WITH FOGOLAR’S 2022 CABERNET FRANC FROM NIAGARA’S PICONE VINEYARD
Fogolar produces some superb Ontario wines. I was off the Ontario Riesling rails for quite some time until Fogolar Riesling set me back on track. Warm fermented for 28 days in stainless steel and aged in French oak for two years. The Fogolar Cabernet Francs must not be ignored including the Fogolar Picone Vineyards 2022Continue reading “RKS ONTARIO WINE: NO FOG WITH FOGOLAR’S 2022 CABERNET FRANC FROM NIAGARA’S PICONE VINEYARD”
RKS Wines of Portugal: A Wine Fit for Miss Piggy?
This wine is a regular in Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages releases. “Trina Bolotas” in its name is Portuguese for grazing “acorn cracker pigs” which include acorns as part of their diet. Its distinctive taste makes for delicious roast pork even more sublime when matched with the right wine! A blend of Alicante Bouschet,Continue reading “RKS Wines of Portugal: A Wine Fit for Miss Piggy?”
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