We had the wine boat anchor in the middle of the river and happily drank away until several strokes of the night watch had sounded. By then I had begun to fear I could not control myself and so had firmly resolved to return to our rooms, but my friends told me the city gatesContinue reading “RKS Chinese Literature: Smoking Opium, Hugging and Joking with the Sing-Song Girls (Shen Fu)”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS Ontario Wine: Big Head Red #14
Having scored 91 for Big Head Red #8 and 94 for Big Head Red # 11 I have high expectations for Big Head Red # 14. There are enough grapes in this blend to encourage dizziness; 49% 2024 Cabernet Franc 21% 2024 Cabernet Franc (appassimento) 10% 2024 Syrah (appassimento) 10% 2024 &2025 Dornfelder (appassimento) 5%Continue reading “RKS Ontario Wine: Big Head Red #14”
THE PENNY PENSIONER’S VIEW OF CHEAP WINES: A GERMAN PINOT NOIR
A Pinot Noir for $13.95. OK it’s a Spätburgunder that’s the reason? I don’t care what a $13.95 Pinot Noir tastes like but rather is the wine pleasantly drinkable. While I lead a most comfortable life it might be you are a poor pensioner even more likely if your only source of income is aContinue reading “THE PENNY PENSIONER’S VIEW OF CHEAP WINES: A GERMAN PINOT NOIR”
THE PENNILESS PENSIONER WINE OBSERVATION: CABALLO DORADO A CARMENÈRE FROM CHILE
Carmenére is one of the consistently good red Chilean wines. And it meets my criteria of $16 and under. And if you believe in ratings it has received a 92 from James Suckling which means I would subtract 4 points from that. He suffers from inflationary scores. And as pensioners don’t we know about inflation.Continue reading “THE PENNILESS PENSIONER WINE OBSERVATION: CABALLO DORADO A CARMENÈRE FROM CHILE”
RKS Australian Wine: Redman 2022 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Multiple Personality Disorder?
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?”
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”
