Category Archives: Wine

RKS 2023 Wine: Italian Merlot Could be the Change You Need!

It is not frequently we encounter Italian Merlot as a single varietal in Canada. So we have a chance now with a somewhat unique Terre Magre Merlot from Friuli. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry and cola with some intensity. Palate: A robust aroma for a wine does not always equate with a robust wine! Not muchContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Italian Merlot Could be the Change You Need!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Biodiversity Organic Wine: Confessions of a Rat!

Here we have an organic red blend from the Maipo Valley in Chile consisting of 58% Carmenère, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has aged a year in French oak barrels. Aroma: Raspberry, blueberry, blackberries and root beer. I can detect some acidity on the nose hoping it will beContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Biodiversity Organic Wine: Confessions of a Rat!”

RKS 2023 Wine: A Greek Tragedy? The Blood of a Lion Killed by Hercules?

So little Greek wine flows into Canada and that in itself is a tragedy. The choice is almost no choice and if you are a fan of red wine we seem to have wholesale buyers enamoured with Xinomavro which if well made needs age to be enjoyable somewhat like Italian Barolo. Young Xinomavro is highlyContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Greek Tragedy? The Blood of a Lion Killed by Hercules?”

RKS 2023 Wines: Good Karma Malbec? Blueberry Jam Memories!

Most Argentinian Malbecs are infused with good Karma. Is it because of some higher power in the wine cosmos or a matter of terroir meeting the right grape and winemaker? I think it best not to disrupt any mysticism. So I will not answer the question. From Finca Sophenia we have a 2020 Malbec fromContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Good Karma Malbec? Blueberry Jam Memories!”

RKS 2023 Wines: Chilean Pinot Noir from the Casablanca Valley

We move to a Chilensis 2017 Signature Series Pinot Noir from Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The Casablanca Valley is Chile’s premier cool climate wine region with its gentle Pacific Ocean breezes, early morning fog and old granitic soils that create a rich tapestry of terroirs and make it one of Chile’s top white wine producers. SoContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Chilean Pinot Noir from the Casablanca Valley”

RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley

We move to another Chilean red wine a Rucahue Gran Reserva Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maule Valley in Chile. The Maule Valley is Chile’s largest viticultural region which is one of the most geographically and climatically diverse encompassing the Andes to the east, the sunny plains through the central corridor and the rollingContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley”

RKS 2023 Wine: Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile

This is an organic wine. It is from the Itata Valley which is Chile’s oldest viticultural region producing wine for over 450 years and Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are leading the new wave charge. Aroma: Big pulses of blueberry with lesser notes of raspberry with Obidos Licor Ginja (sour cherry liqueur from Obidos in Portugal).Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile”

RKS 2023 Wine: Yet Another Excellent Chilean Carmenère: Morandé 2020 Gran Reserva Carmenère

At $16.95 this wine is a steal. How long can Chilean red wine competitors stand in the face of such reasonable prices for full bodied red wine? The wine has spent 18 months in French oak foudres. Aroma: Freshly picked raspberries and raspberry jam shine through. Also blackberries and a bit of mocha. Palate: RelaxedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yet Another Excellent Chilean Carmenère: Morandé 2020 Gran Reserva Carmenère”

RKS 2023 Wine: More Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile: Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon from Errazuriz

There is no mistaking Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon has upped its game over the past decade producing some very worthy examples. Fair to say they have not reached cult status as many Californian Cabernet Sauvignons have. Why is that? Could it be “over fascination” with those Cali Cabernet Sauvignons? Could it be the length of timeContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: More Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile: Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon from Errazuriz”

RKS 2023 Wines: Syrah from Chile’s Limarí Valley

The Limarí Valley has a rich archaeological heritage and was prized for its agricultural significance since pre-Hispanic times. The topography creates the unique “Camanchaca” fog that brings moisture in the valley each morning and is blown away by cooling ocean breezes in the afternoon. The Limarí has proven itself for its quality Syrah, Chardonnay, SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Syrah from Chile’s Limarí Valley”