Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews

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”

RKS Wine: Valle de Uco Site of The Best Argentinian Malbec?

I recall when living in Montreal at the corner depanneur you could buy a gallon of a red wine called “Malbec” bottled by the SAQ. Goodness knows if it was even made from Malbec grapes and what country it came from. Those corner store wines were never very good. Of course, such could not existContinue reading “RKS Wine: Valle de Uco Site of The Best Argentinian Malbec?”

RKS Wine:  Cline Viognier North Coast California

My first choice for Viognier would be France but California produces a fair bit of it. Let’s try a Cline 2020 North Coast Viognier. It has a light cold colour. As for aromatics it is not exactly an effusive Viognier. The first take is a wine that has some cinnamon, eucalyptus, butterscotch and pineapple. ThereContinue reading “RKS Wine:  Cline Viognier North Coast California”

RKS Wine: An Organic Côtes-du-Rhônes-Villages; Clean, Vibrant and Pure

Perhaps I get thrown by the word “organic” but organic wines seem to have a clean streak running through them. They seem sharper. Am I imagining this? So we try a 2019 Château Maucoil Côtes-du-Rhônes-Villages. The scent of super ripe strawberries is courtesy of the Grenache in the blend. A big blast of blueberries alsoContinue reading “RKS Wine: An Organic Côtes-du-Rhônes-Villages; Clean, Vibrant and Pure”