Tag Archives: RKS Wine

RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018

The wine is a blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). As for aromatics blackberry rules supreme. To a lesser extent blueberries, black cherry, root beer and a bit of lavender. I am noticing an increasing streak of root beer in some high alcohol wines. This wine is 14%. On the palate the tanninsContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018”

RKS Wine: Washington Trio

1.Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2018 ($20.95) 91/100 It is rather odd that in the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages Catalogue for the August 13, 2022 release JamesSuckling.com gives the wine a 90 rating in a review dated July 12, 2021 stating it should be consumed now which is one year after the LCBO putContinue reading “RKS Wine: Washington Trio”

RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier

Marsanne and Viognier are often companions in a blend creating a very unique stye of wine. Lots of tropical notes like mango and peach with pineapple. Viognier on its own is also or can be quite tasty. Here in Ontario countries of origin for Viognier would primarily be France and Australia. Does Ontario produce Viognier?Continue reading “RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier”

RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?

Price is not determinative when it comes to quality of a wine. I had a buddy over for dinner last Saturday. He was happily ebullient over a $90 Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County in Ontario. Knowing that I write about wine and have made several recommendations to him for wine purchases he looked atContinue reading “RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?”

RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?

If you prefer the wines of Bordeaux a common feature on their label is some Château in picture and in name. Who kidnaped the château on the front of this bottle? There is no château written and for pictorial representation perhaps it is there but so far in the distance. The wine is 100% Merlot.Continue reading “RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?”

RKS Wine:  Red Bordeaux Trio

Be forewarned at 62 degrees Fahrenheit the wine is flabby so try to bring it down to 55 degrees which is what your refrigerated cellar temperature should be. The nose is primarily black fruit with some plum and mocha all sitting on a pool of kirsch. On the palate the tannins are soft but aContinue reading “RKS Wine:  Red Bordeaux Trio”

RKS Wines: A High-Cost Romanian Red Wine: Time to Shine or Whine?

In the interests of furthering my scant knowledge about Romanian wines and of hoping for rewards in a search for Romanian winners I paid $42.95 for a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Terroir de Dobrogea. Most Romanian wines in the Ontario market cost under $20. On the nose a very rich wine almost Portish and atContinue reading “RKS Wines: A High-Cost Romanian Red Wine: Time to Shine or Whine?”

RKS Wine: Bachelder “les Villages” 2020 Gamay Noir: Gentle Elegance

As far as red wine flows in Ontario Gamay is often a winner. What does Thomas Bachelder do with a Gamay? As for aromas amidst the smoky overlay expect black cherry, cherry and rhubarb crumble and a tad of cloves. A lightweight wine very smooth but a seam of complexity rests in the palate withContinue reading “RKS Wine: Bachelder “les Villages” 2020 Gamay Noir: Gentle Elegance”

RKS Wine: A Mavrud from Bulgaria

A rare Bulgarian wine makes an appearance made from the Mavrud grape. Mavrud doesn’t have a stellar reputation but when properly subject to oak ageing it makes a solid simple wine. This wine was aged in barrels crafted by a cooper at the winery. Lots of raspberry and cherry on the nose. There is alsoContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Mavrud from Bulgaria”

RKS Wine: Creative Label but What About the Taste?

When it is about wine labels and names for wine the Aussies lead the pack. You might want to think of it as a marketing strategy for Australian wines. No matter how fantastic your wine is if it does not sell what does the public care about a winemaker’s passion for the wine they haveContinue reading “RKS Wine: Creative Label but What About the Taste?”