Kaiken can be trusted to deliver good Malbecs but can the same be said for its Cabernet Sauvignons? The only way to so determine is to open a bottle of Kaiken Ultra 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza. Grapes grown at 1,050 metres. 45% of the wine in French oak barrels (1/3 each in new/second/third use)Continue reading “RKS WINES OF ARGENTINA: Kaiken Ultra 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews
RKS WINES OF FRANCE: A Cabernet Franc from the Loire in France: Somewhat of a Tired Old Bird
In Ontario we are accustomed to drinking world class Cabernet Franc produced here. So much so is it possible we overlook Saumur Champigny from the Loire in France? Don’t be deep faked by France with Cabernet Franc! In this case we try a Domaine Raton Clos des Cordeliers Cuvée Prestige Saumur Champigny 2019. Aroma: PrimaryContinue reading “RKS WINES OF FRANCE: A Cabernet Franc from the Loire in France: Somewhat of a Tired Old Bird”
RKS ONTARIO WINE: NO FOG WITH FOGOLAR’S 2022 CABERNET FRANC FROM NIAGARA’S PICONE VINEYARD
Fogolar produces some superb Ontario wines. I was off the Ontario Riesling rails for quite some time until Fogolar Riesling set me back on track. Warm fermented for 28 days in stainless steel and aged in French oak for two years. The Fogolar Cabernet Francs must not be ignored including the Fogolar Picone Vineyards 2022Continue reading “RKS ONTARIO WINE: NO FOG WITH FOGOLAR’S 2022 CABERNET FRANC FROM NIAGARA’S PICONE VINEYARD”
RKS Wines Of Greece: Xinomavro a Most Difficult Grape Unless….
Xinomavro, a Greek red grape, is problematic. It can be highly tannic and grape quality aside, if not sufficiently aged, your mouth is in for a battle. For this reason, I largely avoid Xinomavro. Yet I have had the pleasure of Xinomavro aged some twenty years and it was remarkable. I was at the TorontoContinue reading “RKS Wines Of Greece: Xinomavro a Most Difficult Grape Unless….”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Henry of Pelham 2023 Lost Boys Baco Noir: Not a Wine for Cider House Rules Orphanage: Confessions of a Turkey Gravy Man!
Baco Noir is a French Hybrid grape produced in 1894 and planted in days of yore in Ontario and the Eastern United States. Perhaps a low life or roustabout grape for the unsophisticated decades ago? A “90 Day Fiancé” or a” Below the Deck” type of grape? Like South African Pinotage it can be dreadfulContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Henry of Pelham 2023 Lost Boys Baco Noir: Not a Wine for Cider House Rules Orphanage: Confessions of a Turkey Gravy Man!”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: 2021 Nomad Fumé Blanc From Niagara, Ontario
Aroma: Lemon, lime, guava, peach, pineapple and mango. Wow this has lots going on! Palate: Despite all the fruitish bouquet activity there is a certain austerity on the palate and despite 12 months ageing in oak it has a clean stainless-steel backbone, or least that is the way it presents itself. Try and try youContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: 2021 Nomad Fumé Blanc From Niagara, Ontario”
RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot: To Dream the Almost Impossible Dream
Wine writers must suffer boredom reviewing wines if they have no passion. You might want to say I am passionate about discovering good Ontario Merlot despite the fact it might be a Sir Edmund Hillary climb to find one. The majority taste neutered with little power to impress. Sure you can point to terroir toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot: To Dream the Almost Impossible Dream”
RKS 2024 Wine: Domaine de la Madonne 2022: Beaujolais-Villages
Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, plum and a hint of dark chocolate. Palate: If you are under the impression all Beaujolais are light and fruity that is not the case here. That might be true of Beaujolais but less true for Beaujolais-Villages. There is power and concentration without noticeable tannins in this full-bodied wine. Well trainedContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Domaine de la Madonne 2022: Beaujolais-Villages”
The Penniless Pensioner and A Campanian Wine: Memories of His Murdered Wife
I am uncertain how many of you know me. You will soon be able to read more about me in the Final Cut of my autobiography “The Penniless Pensioner”. Rest assured I am not a crotchety Mr. Otto or Mr. Wilson character timidly nibbling on a can of cat food with toasted stale reduced WonderContinue reading “The Penniless Pensioner and A Campanian Wine: Memories of His Murdered Wife”
RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and Running for Cover
My experience with Ontario Merlot has not been impressive. However jazz it up with some oak and it can work a bit of magic. The label on this Colio Estate Winery 2020 Reserve Merlot states, “ …and the smooth silky finish bestowed on the wine by skilled oak aging.” Their website fails to describe theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and Running for Cover”
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