Category Archives: Wine

RKS 2023 Wine: Rocky Gully from The Frankland River in Western Australia: Flinstonish Wine

Time to try a Rocky Gully Shiraz from the Frankland River in Western Australia. Aroma: Dense and verging on overripe black cherry and blackberry with hints of dark chocolate and toasty coconut. Palate: Jumps over the boundary of ripe to overripe perhaps not surprising due to the 14.5% alcohol. Hey folks please no more ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Rocky Gully from The Frankland River in Western Australia: Flinstonish Wine”

RKS 2023 Wine: German Wines in Ontario? They Are There But Hiding in the Back of the Bus!

I can’t recall ever being invited to a German wine tasting in Toronto. German tourism has invited me to their annual media event where Riesling was served and once they even splurged and gave attendees a bottle to take home. I have asked about a media trip but never any response. Is this a matterContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: German Wines in Ontario? They Are There But Hiding in the Back of the Bus!”

RKS 2023 Wine: RIOJA: Diosares Crianza 2018: LCBO Dirty Pool?

One can count on a fairly steady but limited amount of Spanish wines in Liquor Control Board of Ontario Vintages releases. And the prices are affordable. Aroma: If a single aroma such as cherry can carry this wine like it does many Riojas so be it. Pushing that a bit slim blackberry and raspberry notes.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: RIOJA: Diosares Crianza 2018: LCBO Dirty Pool?”

RKS 2023 Wine: High Mountain Malbec from Catena

Is Mendoza a Malbec wine lake? So much of it coming from Mendoza in Argentina. This time we uncork a Paraje Altamira Malbec from Argentina and the label states “High Mountain Vines” but fails to advise what the altitude is. No altitude given on the Catena website either. This purplish Malbec rested 6-8 months inContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: High Mountain Malbec from Catena”

RKS 2023 Wine: Niagara Gewürztraminer? The Monster Under the Bed?

Wine drinkers in Ontario aren’t exactly lining up to purchase Gewürztraminer. Sounds a bit exotic and the flavors and aromas aren’t exactly Chardonnay and Riesling the white wines Ontarians are “comfortable” with. Gewurtz as the monster under the bed?  From mega winery Jackson-Triggs we unscrew a Niagara Gewurtz. Aroma: More or less Gewurtz aromas ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Niagara Gewürztraminer? The Monster Under the Bed?”

RKS 2023 Wine: A Wine From the Former Land of Rotgut

Languedoc wines years ago had a very poor reputation as cheap rotgut for the Parisian working class. Yes, apparently it was even blended with wine from the French colony Algeria. Fast forward to today where modernization and agricultural improvements have wiped out Languedoc’s reputation as the land of rotgut. Prices are generally affordable. Quality isContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Wine From the Former Land of Rotgut”

RKS 2023 Wine: From Côtes Catalanes

Lafage Narassa 2020 is from 50-year-old plus vines and is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. It was from grapes harvested in September and November and then blended. Aroma: Blackberries, blueberries, plums, licorice and a smattering of dark chocolate. Palate: Just a bit of momentary sweetness as part of the grapes used inContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: From Côtes Catalanes”

RKS 2023 Wine: The Royalty of Ontario Red Wines: Time to Welcome Gamay?

Could it be safe to say that Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir are amongst the royalty of Ontario red wine? But it would seem Gamay deserves to be admitted to the royal court? We try a Hidden Bench 2020 Gamay from Niagara. It spent 9 months in French oak 14% new, 24% second fill andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: The Royalty of Ontario Red Wines: Time to Welcome Gamay?”

RKS 2023 Wine:  2019 Boya Syrah From Chile: Conquering the Barnyard!

The Boya 2019 Syrah is from Chile’s Leyda Valley. It was aged in neutral oak for 16 months. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry and a bit too much barnyard leaning toward funky. Brett? Some like that “perfumed earth” smell believing it gives some charm to a red wine. A bit of a snake charmer so oneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine:  2019 Boya Syrah From Chile: Conquering the Barnyard!”

RKS 2023 Wine: A Seinfeld Stop Short Divergence Twenty Mile Bench Gamay Noir

As far as red wine pours there is no doubt Ontario Cabernet Franc can stand up to the best. Ontario Gamay Noir has that potential. The Divergence 2021 Gamay Noir from Divergence Wines in the Niagara region of Ontario is made from grapes grown on the Wismer Wingfield Vineyard. Divergence Wines appeared on the sceneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Seinfeld Stop Short Divergence Twenty Mile Bench Gamay Noir”