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”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews
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”
RKS Wine: Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon: Dump and Run
I am unsure how this wine ever reached the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Aroma: Smells like wine. What grapes? Hard to tell.Taste: Tastes like wine and poor quality at that. Not any shred of fruit.Conclusion: Do not purchase. If purchased return for refund or dump and run. (Ranch 32 2019 CabernetContinue reading “RKS Wine: Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon: Dump and Run”
RKS Wine: El Enemigo 2017 Single Vineyard La Esperanza Bonarda
The bottle is definitely old school. Heavy tonnage. Not exactly carbon neutral! It has a dense black cherry colour. On the nose its very tight fisted holding on to its aromas like a bargain shopper hunting the bins for a 70% discounted wine. But you can’t snuff out the black cherry, black plum, toasted coconut,Continue reading “RKS Wine: El Enemigo 2017 Single Vineyard La Esperanza Bonarda”
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