Category Archives: Wine

RKS 2024 Wine: Blackboard Merlot from Washington State: A Berlin Wall Merlot?

Many Washington State Merlots are not afraid to have a little bath in oak. It gives Merlot a pleasing to everyone aura. I had a Konstantin Frank Merlot in the Finger Lakes recently and it had a good dose of oak in it. My dining companion, no lover of red wine, enthused about how “approachable”Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Blackboard Merlot from Washington State: A Berlin Wall Merlot?”

RKS 2024 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic NV Prosecco

Aroma: Lemon, lime, peach, mango and honey. Palate: A gentle fizz to the point it resembles a semi-sparkler. Some cantaloupe and pineapple but one expects more fruit with a prosecco than this? Its 11% alcohol makes it a refreshing hot summer day quaff. Personality: I am not assertive evidenced by my scant bubbles and acidity.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic NV Prosecco”

RKS 2024 Wine:  Ontario’s Bachelder Bator 2021 Gamay Noir: Bachelder’s Gentle Giant

Aroma: All held in a smoky frame. There is blackberry, black cherry and a bit of sandalwood. Rich, evident, pure and lighthearted. Palate: Gentle and soft but not lacking in taste. Can I say, “Gentle Giant?”.  Replete with raspberry and almost juicy. Broad based tannins. Short finish. Personality: I think I have a bit ofContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine:  Ontario’s Bachelder Bator 2021 Gamay Noir: Bachelder’s Gentle Giant”

RKS 2024 Wine: Louis Aîné & Fils Beaujolais-Villages 2022: Riding on the Zip-Line

A friendly juicy and warm Gamay? Aroma: Raspberry rules but there is black cherry, blackberry. None of that excessive alcohol plaguing so many red wines. Inviting. Palate: Blackberry but more acidity than expected but is fine yet still worrisome as one expects something softer and fruitier from a Burgundian Gamay. Not much fruit on theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Louis Aîné & Fils Beaujolais-Villages 2022: Riding on the Zip-Line”

RKS 2024 Wine: Monte Zovo Caligo Veronese 2018

This red wine is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. Aroma: Red cherry, cranberry and raspberry. Palate: Relatively light and dry with low tannins making it an attractive sipper. Strawberry, raspberry jam and cactus pear. Moderately long finish. Personality: I am easy going but not a push over. A mere IGT you say butContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Monte Zovo Caligo Veronese 2018”

RKS 2024 Wine: I am Not a Member of the Luca Maroni Fan Club

I am in the wine bleachers as a bleacher bum misbehaving and throwing empty wine bottles at poor performers. Luca Maroni is consistently rating most wines as close to perfection. I mean here is a 99 rated red wine. It is no Bordeaux first growth but a Rosso IGT from Puglia. Is it at someContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: I am Not a Member of the Luca Maroni Fan Club”

RKS 2024 Wine Tourism: The Finger Lakes Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

There are 11 Finger Lakes in New York all narrow enough to be reminiscent of fingers. Cayuga Lake is one of the lakes. For many wine drinkers in the United States and Canada accessibility to Finger Lake wine is minimal. The Finger Lakes are easily accessible by road. The trip would be 5 hours fromContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine Tourism: The Finger Lakes Cayuga Lake Wine Trail”

RKS 2024 Wine: Lemberger from Hosmer in New York’s Finger Lakes: Not the Stinky Limberger!: A Wine That Compels Thought

I was in Aurora, New York last week staying at the Inns of Aurora on Cayuga Lake. Up north then travelling southwest I arrived at Hosmer Winery in Ovid, New York. Yes I said Ovid and not COVID! And I tried a 2021 Lemberger wine not to be confused with Limberger cheese! And to furtherContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Lemberger from Hosmer in New York’s Finger Lakes: Not the Stinky Limberger!: A Wine That Compels Thought”

RKS 2024 Wine: Stepping Stone Limestone Coast Shiraz: Who is not Worthy?

Geez there is a 97 seal on the bottle from Winestate .I may have given a 97 rating a couple of times in 15 years. This must be an exceptional wine as the seal (paid for usually by the producer) never lies….right? Someone is not worthy here and it could well be me! Aroma: Blackberry,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Stepping Stone Limestone Coast Shiraz: Who is not Worthy?”

RKS 2024 Wine: Escaping Ontario COVID Memories

I recall that during COVID times I went for a tasting with Ed Madronich at Flat Rock Cellars in Jordan, Ontario. Those were eerie times. Can you imagine 50 people at Niagara Falls! Over the years Ed has produced quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and I suppose it is time to escape COVID memories andContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Escaping Ontario COVID Memories”