Big Head Red #11 is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Dornfelder from three different vintages and a combination of fresh and appassimento wines. Following this vintage for 3 releases now it is a blend one looks forward to. Aroma: Black fruit galore complimented by raspberry and mocha. A bit reminiscentContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Big Head Red #11”
Tag Archives: RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine
RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Mastronardi 2021 Merlot Cabernet Offers an Escape from Niagara Imperialism
If you are looking to buy Canadian wine here in Ontario on a Liquor Commission Board of Ontario Vintages bi-monthly release the bias (if not obsession) is for wines produced in the Niagara region. Tokenism is extended to wines from Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore and as for wines from British Columbia,Continue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Mastronardi 2021 Merlot Cabernet Offers an Escape from Niagara Imperialism”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: KEW Vineyards Marches to the Cabernet Drum
A blend of 38% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. 13% of the blend was dried out in the appassimento fashion. Matured in French oak for 18 months. Aroma: You can certainly discern slight richness in the aroma imparted by the appassimento influenced portion of the blend giving the wine a richness itContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: KEW Vineyards Marches to the Cabernet Drum”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: A Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County
We try a 2020 Redtail Pinot Noir from Hubbs Creek Vineyard from Prince Edward County, Ontario aka The County. Hubbs Creek Vineyard is a small family-owned vineyard planted over 15 years ago in the small town of Hillier, Ontario. The Pinot Noir was aged in Burgundian oak for 18 months. Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherryContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: A Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Steve Byfield at it Again with a Tight Assed 2021 Cadence Red
Virtual winemaker Steve Byfield is at it again with another Cadence Red a blend of Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Malbec (5%). 122 cases produced. Aroma: Tightly structured demanding at least one more year in the bottle to fuitify a bit more. Black fruit is to be noticed here particularly blackberry,Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Steve Byfield at it Again with a Tight Assed 2021 Cadence Red”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Can’t do Cabernet Franc right then go home!
I was taken aback reading the description of Peller Estates Private Reserve 2020 Cabernet Franc in the 5February2025 Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages catalogue, “For those in the know, Cabernet Franc is one of the hush hush superstars of the Ontario wine scene.” Superstar yes. Hush Hush? Was it ever hush hush? Well debatableContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Can’t do Cabernet Franc right then go home!”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Playing a Tricky Game with a Petrichor 2022 Cabernet Merlot
While developing a guarded respect for Ontario Merlot when carefully oaked, Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon rarely pleases. Blend the two together with some Cabernet Franc and you may be playing a risky game condemned to a wine dulled by neutrality and loss of identity. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant in a smoky envelope. Palate:Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Playing a Tricky Game with a Petrichor 2022 Cabernet Merlot”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Getting to Trust Ontario Merlot!
My past few attempts at Ontario Merlot are beginning to reverse my previous distrusting view of that grape in Ontario. Can this positivity be buttressed by a Niagara Southbrook triomphe merlot? Aroma: Blackberry, blueberry, root beer and milk chocolate. Palate: A solid bruiser with more than ample force and character. Pure and clean as SouthbrookContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Getting to Trust Ontario Merlot!”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Liquor Control Board of Ontario: Cry Me A River! Too Little Too Late
Rah! Rah! Rah! The LCBO has boldly gone where no man would go! No not to the moon but threatening to remove all wines produced in the United States from its shelves then backing off and not implementing its threat. Buy Ontario wines! Rah! Rah! Rah! Seems they suddenly, as politically directed, truly wish toContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Liquor Control Board of Ontario: Cry Me A River! Too Little Too Late”
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