RKS 2024 Wine: Stratus Alto: An Assemblage and a Winner!

I suppose an “assemblage” would be considered as a blend but it sounds a bit more “exotic” than a blend, right? Or why not another French sounding name like a “Meritage” as you might like the possibility it has merit to it. Names, names, names but what is the quality in the bottle? Strange thatContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Stratus Alto: An Assemblage and a Winner!”

RKS 2024 Wine in Greece: Nicolas Repanis Agiorgitiko from Nemea

Here in Greece as far as red wine goes in larger urban areas, you’ll find a great deal of Agiorgitiko in supermarket and corner market shelves. You have to discover a large liquor store where for example here at Thessaloniki at a Cash and Carry Store primarily supplying restaurants there must have been close toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine in Greece: Nicolas Repanis Agiorgitiko from Nemea”

RKS 2024 Wine:  The Black Sheep from Nico Lazaridi and “The Attack of the Giant Moussaka”

The Black Sheep is a blend of non-indigenous grapes to Greece, namely Syrah and Merlot. The grapes are from vineyards grown on the foothills of Mount Pangeon in Kavala. Aroma: Think of black fruit particularly blackberry, black currant, cassis and black cherry enveloped in a gentle smoke. Palate: At room temperature expect a dullard asContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine:  The Black Sheep from Nico Lazaridi and “The Attack of the Giant Moussaka””

RKS 2024 Wine: “Gravity” Pinot Noir from Flat Rock Cellars: A Tough Guy from Niagara

Aroma: This nose detects Pinot Noir with certainty! Delicate and finely chiseled Keith Morrison? Tough and certain like Rosemary Barton? What is term here? Rough? Gruff? Muscular? Bold? Rich? Super ripe Niagara raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, kirsch and chocolate pudding. Palate: Full bodied with an accompanying fulsomeness. A burly Pinot Noir I would say. BlusteryContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: “Gravity” Pinot Noir from Flat Rock Cellars: A Tough Guy from Niagara”

RKS 2024 Wine: Malivoire’s Courtney Gamay from Niagara

Many ex-Canada readers are certainly familiar with Niagara Falls as one of Canada’s primo tourist sites. But how many realize Niagara Falls is surrounded by a virtual waterfall of wineries producing world class red, white, sparkling and ice wines. 20 minutes from the Falls, if that, wine country abounds with wineries many of which haveContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Malivoire’s Courtney Gamay from Niagara”

RKS 2024 Wine: N 10 Fonterutoli 2021 From Tuscany

The label sates predominately Merlot but I suspect this being Tuscany there is some Sangiovese in the blend. Aroma: Given the Merlot and Sangiovese the nose is full of cherry both red and black. Minute bits of blueberry. Palate: Moderate tannins. On the outskirts acid make this a good sipping wine. Almost singular cherry influenceContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: N 10 Fonterutoli 2021 From Tuscany”

RKS 2024 Wine: A Chilean Pinot Noir That Takes No Prisoners

I rather thought 2024 would be Chile’s year for moderately priced red wine dominance not so much in volume exported but quality wise. We try a San Pedro 1865 Tayú Pinot Noir 2021. Aroma: Dense and muscular as its less than delicate Pinot Noir dark ruby colour suggests. Black plum, blackberry, black cherry and cherryContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Chilean Pinot Noir That Takes No Prisoners”

RKS 2024 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely a Stinker

Approachable, friendly and easy drinking are the monikers of Valpolicella. Monikers of course are made to be broken, ignored or tampered with. 45% Corvina. 30% Corvione. 20% Rondinella. Aged 12-18 months in large oak barrels. We take this statement to the test with a 2021 Sartori Valpolicella. Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry, plum, raspberry and milkContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely a Stinker”

RKS 2024 Wine: Burly Barossa?

Think Aussie Red Barossa think burly? Full bodied but not overly aggressive? Crowd friendly? Too much alcohol?  Destination wine lake? Looking for a dainty red from Barossa? Are you hallucinating? Or are we here in Canada suffering with liquor monopoly purchases that are safe from a profit perspective. Is there more than “easy Barossa”? IContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Burly Barossa?”

RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Gamay Comeback in Ontario?

Was it a decade or so ago that Gamay in Ontario looked like the next oenological prince of the Ontario wine kingdom? Then it faded like Harry and Meaghan and then made a comeback like Camilla? No discussions please on royalty who in Canada are seen as ready to meet the fate of Marie AntoinetteContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Gamay Comeback in Ontario?”