Not a fan of those flinty pale and a bit too acidic pinkies from Provence? Well then in France look to Tavel for consistent quality. Instead of a washed-out pink expect a salmon colored pink where fruit refuses to hide behind acidity and the hype of Jolie/Pitt/Sarah Jessica Parker and Hollywood wine wannabees. Grenache NoirContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Rosé from Tavel Rarely Disappoints: Tavel La Forcadière”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2024 Wine: Château Saint Cyrgues from Costières de Nîmes
The wine is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Marselan which is cross between Grenache and Syrah. Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry with some raspberry and licorice. Palate: Moderate and broad-based tannins. A bit gravelly but even given that it is smooth with a bit of a peppery finish. The acids hover inContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Saint Cyrgues from Costières de Nîmes”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Red Cuvée from Cox Creek Cellars: Can They Manage a Heartbreak Grape?
Pinot Noir is often referred to as the heartbreak grape due to its thin-skinned delicate nature. In my opinion Baco Noir is also a heartbreak grape perhaps not in the field but in converting its juice into a good wine. In Ontario I am mostly disappointed with Baco Noir that tricks the nose into thinkingContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Red Cuvée from Cox Creek Cellars: Can They Manage a Heartbreak Grape?”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Sicilian Grillo-Chardonnay
Think Grillo then think Sicilian power. With Sicilian Chardonnays cool climate Chardonnays are left behind. It is a 50/50 blend. Aroma: Concentrated notes of pear, apple, mango, pineapple, peaches, quince, honey and a slight briny note. Palate: Full bodied medium dry wine with a long finish. Slight floral tinge with heavier notes of pear, applesauce,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Sicilian Grillo-Chardonnay”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Grillo from Sicily’s Planeta
A bit of coincidence as tonight using cherry tomatoes and basil from my garden I enjoyed a Sicilian Pesto over fusilli. Now a Sicilian white from the Grillo grape. That is one grape that is used in Sicilian Masala. It is from the Planeta winery one of Sicily’s most respected wineries. Aroma: Lemon, honey, marzipanContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Grillo from Sicily’s Planeta”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Babu Reserva from Portugal’s Tejo Appellation: Another Purchase at Your Own Risk?
I tried the 2018 Babu Reserva and it fared so poorly I used the mercy rule and did not give it a numerical score instead stating, “purchase at your own risk”. I am sure that when RKS Wine speaks with such unflattering remarks a team of blending specialists descended on the winery to fix theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Babu Reserva from Portugal’s Tejo Appellation: Another Purchase at Your Own Risk?”
RKS 2024 Wine: The Pavlovian Dog Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Many hearing “Malbec” salivate and bark up the Argentinian tree forgetting or not knowing that Malbec can be found in France. In fact it is one of the permitted grapes for red Bordeaux and has quite a reputation in the Cahors appellation for quality and ageability. Let’s give Prieuré de Cénac Malbec from the CahorsContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Pavlovian Dog Barking Up the Wrong Tree”
RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?
As far a rosé goes the darker the pink the happier I am. Those wimpy pale rosés strike me with their acidity and thinness. By way of a bad analogy would you prefer to date Brigitte Bardot or Twiggy? Aroma: Loads of raspberry with strawberry, red cherry, wet stone and a tiny bit of cottonContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016
There is an ample supply at Vintages (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) of red Bordeaux under $25. Are they so much inferior to a Château Clarke 2016 from Baron Edmond de Rothschild at $55? This wine is a blend of 70 % Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aroma: A forceful and dense nose of plum,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016”
RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!
Ontario Baco Noir flops more often than not. It has flopped many times in my glass but when managed in the vineyard and in the vat it can make exceptional Baco Noir e.g. Henry of Pelham. And Foch ripped out aplenty years ago can make some exceptional wine e.g. Malivoire. 54% Maréchal Foch and 46%Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!”
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