Category Archives: Wine

RKS Wine: Château de Montfaucon Côtes du Rhône

The Château de Montfaucon 2017 Côtes du Rhône is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan 10% Cinsault and 5% Counoise. Counoise plays a small part in Southern Rhône red blends. It adds body and fruit to blends. What aromas do we encounter? It has an earthiness to it mixed with hot pebblesContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château de Montfaucon Côtes du Rhône”

RKS Wine: On the Hunt for an Under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon: Santa Alicia 2018 Gran Reserva from Chile

Finding a 92 plus Cabernet Sauvignon for under $20 (CDN) is a chore. In 2022 the only one so far I have discovered is a 2018 Tapiz Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley in Argentina at $19.95. I note that COVID has ravaged local and international wine tastings restricting many professional palates toContinue reading “RKS Wine: On the Hunt for an Under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon: Santa Alicia 2018 Gran Reserva from Chile”

RKS Wine: d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne McLaren Vale 2021

This wine seems to be scuttling into Toronto at least three times a year. In fact I recall for at least 15 years it’s been on the Liquor Control Board of Ontario shelves. I also remember reviewing it a few years ago and thinking it might match shrimp, lobster and crab. I suppose it isContinue reading “RKS Wine: d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne McLaren Vale 2021”

RKS Wine: Valdelacierva Rioja, Crianza 2016/Viña Pomal 2017 Rioja Crianza: Both Disappoint

Riojas are from Spain. They are often on the light side infused with cheerful cherry notes. Crianzas must be aged a minimum of two years one of which must be in oak barrels. These are usually the least impressive Rioja’s. This one has received a 91 from the esteemed Wine Spectator. On the nose thereContinue reading “RKS Wine: Valdelacierva Rioja, Crianza 2016/Viña Pomal 2017 Rioja Crianza: Both Disappoint”

RKS Wine: “Christmas in April” Part Two: Stag’s Hollow “Tragically Vidal”

Vidal is an unremarkable grape that can shine as a second Icewine cousin to Riesling. It is by acreage the number one white grape in Ontario and #15 in British Columbia. When I saw the Vidal wine sent to me by Stag’s Hollow called “Tragically Vidal” I winced hoping the results in the bottle wereContinue reading “RKS Wine: “Christmas in April” Part Two: Stag’s Hollow “Tragically Vidal””

RKS Wine: Christmas in April: Stag’s Hollow Media Pack Part 1

Imagine driving the other half to downtown Toronto and heading back after the drop off to buy ¾ of a tank of gas for $90. Then a package at the doorstep from Stag’s Hollow in British Columbia’s Okanagan wine district. Unexpected as if Santa was pleased at me for being such a good boy notContinue reading “RKS Wine: Christmas in April: Stag’s Hollow Media Pack Part 1”

RKS Wine: 2019 Alice Vieira de Souza: Another Douro Winner?

Quality control is the name of the game in Portugal’s Douro region perhaps due to the thoroughness of its “regulator” Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP). I must say over the years there have been almost no corked or low-quality wines I have encountered from the Douro. And price can be deceptive.Continue reading “RKS Wine: 2019 Alice Vieira de Souza: Another Douro Winner?”

RKS Wine: Creekside Estate Winery 2017 Iconoclast Syrah

Can Niagara produce a quality Syrah? When it comes to quality red wines in Ontario I put my hand up to get the attention of the Wine Gods and respond I think Ontario can excel with Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc but aside from that? So stone me to death for daring to speak myContinue reading “RKS Wine: Creekside Estate Winery 2017 Iconoclast Syrah”

RKS Wine: Malivoire 2020 Estate Grown Chardonnay

This light gold wine grabs your nose right off the bat with a unique bit of spiciness and ginger. I emphasize “a bit” because it does not detract one from the baked apple with cinnamon and brown sugar, the pear, the mango and the pineapple. Positively tropical old man! On the palate it strikes oneContinue reading “RKS Wine: Malivoire 2020 Estate Grown Chardonnay”

RKS Wine: An Australian Old Reliable: D’Arenberg

Years ago I worked in the east end of Toronto near a Chevrolet dealership called “Robertson’s Old Reliable Chevrolet”. That “Old Reliable” stuck with me although at the time Chevrolet’s were never that reliable! D’Arenberg, a McLaren Vale winery, has also stuck with me for many years as a reliable producer of red and whiteContinue reading “RKS Wine: An Australian Old Reliable: D’Arenberg”