Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews – Page 17 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?

I tend to avoid oaked California Chardonnays because often they are throwbacks to when California oaked Chardonnays were overoaked. Before I became more discerning than I am now the novelty of a Wente Oaked Chardonnay was compelling but after a few more bottles and a Yellowtail Southeastern Australian oaked Chardonnay the novelty wore off. OakContinue reading “RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?”

RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing

While at a Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlet I noticed a lonely bottle of Domaine Lafage 2019 on the shelf which was blessed by a knowledgeable LCBO Vintages consultant who had not tried the 2019 vintage but had tried previous vintages to his delight. I am always willing to take advice from aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing”

RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation

Some may run like lemmings for those wines scored in the mid to high 90’s especially if they are affordable. When I see a wine that is in this range I take up the challenge to see what the hype is about unless of course it is rated by Mr. Sky High Luca Maroni. InContinue reading “RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation”

RKS Wine: Massive Overstock of Liano 2018 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon

Considering this wine from Emilia-Romagna has been out in Vintages at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario for almost a year and there are still over 13,000 bottles of it in LCBO stores it might be fair to say it is not moving all that well. Could it be indicative of poor quality or overbuyingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Massive Overstock of Liano 2018 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon”

RKS Wine: This Evodia is a Bit of a Mystery

A bit strange that this is a Spanish wine that is “elaborated and bottled” for Altovinum in Perpignan, France. And the label has no classification of what category of wine this is. It strikes me as a French hypermarché wine. The Liquor Board of Ontario Vintages catalogue states it is made by a Spanish co-operativeContinue reading “RKS Wine: This Evodia is a Bit of a Mystery”

RKS Wine: Bargain Basement Cistus from Portugal’s Douro

If you follow Portuguese wines price is not necessarily linked to quality. You can score some ageable and high-quality wines under $15. And they keep sneaking into Ontario at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Yes one does like to support the local wine industry but given the low cost winners from Portugal do youContinue reading “RKS Wine: Bargain Basement Cistus from Portugal’s Douro”

RKS Wine: Tapiz Alta Collection 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

If you are on auto pilot and hear “Mendoza” your mind will go bing bing and it will text you “Argentinian Malbec”. But there are some good Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs there as well. The generous James Suckling gave this one a 95 and if history serves me correctly this usually means I’ll giveContinue reading “RKS Wine: Tapiz Alta Collection 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon”

RKS: A Rare Beira Wine from Portugal

Just south of the Dão wine region in Portugal you’ll find the Beira Interior Region. At best at the LCBO Vintages releases might feature a handful of wines from this region each year. Pity. The Quinta dos Termos is from the Beira Interior and is a blend of the usual Portuguese grape suspects namely TourigaContinue reading “RKS: A Rare Beira Wine from Portugal”

RKS Wine: The Three Styles of Pinot Noir

Try to simplify Pinot Noir and you are asking for trouble. I like trouble. The first style is the soft and sensual style. Low tannins with aromas of raspberry and ripe strawberries. Think Okanagan Pinot Noirs from Canada’s British Columbia such as the Pinot Noirs from Stag’s Hollow or Meyer Family Vineyards. Then there isContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Three Styles of Pinot Noir”

RKS Wine: North Coast California Dough Cabernet Sauvignon: How a State Monopoly for Liquor Distribution Mocks Us

You may have seen wine “on sale” at your LCBO. Sale most often means a whopping and quite frankly insulting $1.00 or $2.00 discount. Wow! Shiver me timbers! Then the roof gets blown off “a la State Monopoly” with manager discounts that can be as high as 30%. Beyond 30% seems a place no liquorContinue reading “RKS Wine: North Coast California Dough Cabernet Sauvignon: How a State Monopoly for Liquor Distribution Mocks Us”