The Okanagan in British Columbia can produce top notch red wines including Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Given that solid reputation is it then simply a question whether Mayhem winemaker Ajay Chavan has the skills to produce this blend that will invoke the wow factor? I should add the wine was in my passive cellar atContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Mayhem 2021 Cabernet Merlot”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2023 Wine: High Tension with Mayhem’s 2022’s Naramata Bench Sauvignon Blanc
Talk about wine tasting tension! I pointed the 2021 Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc from the Okanagan in British Columbia at 94. Being somewhat skittish about Sauvignon Blanc that 94 is impressive. How will the 2022 Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc fare? The 2022 tried here was fermented 100% in stainless steel but the 2021 was fermented in FrenchContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: High Tension with Mayhem’s 2022’s Naramata Bench Sauvignon Blanc”
RKS 2023 Wine: Okanagan’s Mayhem 2022 Rosé
The 100% Merlot grapes used in the wine were handpicked from Ryegrass Road Vineyard in Oliver British Columbia. The grapes were crushed and destemmed directly into the press. The final blend consists of 92% stainless steel tank and 8% neutral barrique. Aroma: This rosé verging on dark in colour is made from 100% Merlot. ItContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Okanagan’s Mayhem 2022 Rosé”
RKS 2023 Wines: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 McLean Creek Road Gewürztraminer: The French Toast of Gewürztraminer?
Finding wines from British Columbia in Ontario is about as easy as finding wine from Ontario in a Portuguese hypermarché. What a pity that our Liquor Control Board of Ontario releases more Portuguese wine than wines from British Columbia! So I had to hop on my private jet and fly 5 hours to Kelowna toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 McLean Creek Road Gewürztraminer: The French Toast of Gewürztraminer?”
RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Vinho Verde’s Missed Opportunity?
On June 20th I attended a Vinho Verde trade event in Toronto which was organized by Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde is a wine region in beautiful Northern Portugal perhaps best known for its crisp white wine. As far as trade shows for wine the venue was great but were there some opportunities missed? Given myContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Vinho Verde’s Missed Opportunity?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet
Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo are tied at the hip to the Alicante Bouschet grape known more for imparting colour to red wine than for its delectability. Whatever the reason as far as Alentejano blends if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Here we have a Herdade do Rocim a Vinho Regional Alentejano being aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet”
RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos
We see very little white wine from Portugal’s Douro region here in Toronto. Red is king there but it is not a quality issue. Could it be “the curse of the high reputational wine”. As far as table wines go the Douro produces the highest quality reds so has that frightened off wine drinkers fromContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos”
RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!
The 27May2023 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Vintages Release catalogue has a snippet of a jamessuckling.com review for a Château Clou du Pin 2020 stating, “There is a rusty note in the finish that reminds you of rusty nails.” Indeed a most interesting descriptor! Yet “clou” in French means “nail” and thank goodness notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!”
RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?
When I saw the Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz having just under 5% Viognier added to it I thought perhaps it might be somewhat similar to a Côte-Rôtie of the Northern Rhône in France where Viognier is added to the Shiraz in very small quantities. Côte-Rôtie is very dear in price. I have twoContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo
I have made previous comments concerning the surge of red wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal leaving the Douro somewhat behind. In the 27May2023 LCBO Vintages release catalogue of the Portuguese reds 3 are from Alentejo and 1 from the Douro. The Herdade do Sobroso is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo”
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