This Carménère is from the Maule Valley in Chile’s Central Valley Region. The Maule Valley, unlike many Chilean wine producing regions, does not have any maritime influences. Maule Carménère is reputed to be spicy with aromatic intensity. So what does the Chateau Perbal 2018 Carménère have in store for us? Aromatics: Telltale Carménère aromas ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Chateau Perbal Carménère: Chile Chugs Along”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews
RKS 2023 Wine: Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
It is quite remarkable Chile can offer us excellent Cabernet Sauvignon in the under $25 category. Why muck about with Californians in that price range. You’ll often be disappointed. Years ago one might have avoided Chilean red wines due to that minty touch on the palate as one would avoid South African reds due toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon”
RKS 2023 Wine: Casas del Bosque La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc
There are more Chilean red wines than white in the Ontario market and most overperform other Non-Chilean reds at the same price point. But don’t forget the white wines. We try a Casas del Bosque 2021 La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc from Valle de Casablanca. That’s right, “Play it again Sam.” You won’t find Humphrey BogartContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Casas del Bosque La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc”
RKS 2023 Wine: Garcés Silva Family Vineyards 2019 Catalino
My prediction for 2023 is that if Chile can maintain its price point that it sits at presently 2023 will see remarkable growth in the Canadian marketplace for Chilean wines. Prices were stable in 2022 without any jacking up of prices one saw with most producers elsewhere. Quality is high. So we start the 2023Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Garcés Silva Family Vineyards 2019 Catalino”
RKS Wines: Best White Wines of 2022
Mayhem 2021 Small Lot Sauvignon Blanc, BC VQA, $27: British Columbia 94 Meyer Family Vineyards Micro Cuvèe Okanagan Valley, BC VQA, $66.87: British Columbia 94 Cave Spring Estate Chardonnay 2019, VQA Beamsville Bench $19.95: Ontario 92
RKS Wine: Best Red Wines of 2022
Quinta dos Termos 2017 Beira Interior DOC, $13.95: Portugal 94 Mayhem 2019 Cabernet Merlot, B.C. VQA, $21.74: British Columbia 94 Two Sisters 2015 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara River, $75.80: Ontario 94 Viña Chocolan Vitrium 2019 Red Blend, Vale del Maipo: $25.95: Chile 94 Alamos Seleccion 2018 Malbec, Mendoza: $16,95: Argentina 94 Viña Tarapacá Gran ReservaContinue reading “RKS Wine: Best Red Wines of 2022”
RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine
In Ontario Riesling and Vidal icewines, particularly Riesling icewine, can cost a pretty penny but given the conditions harvested in and the very concentrated juice extracted from frozen grapes it is understandable that icewine is a luxury product. A cost effective and delicious alternative to icewine is Vin Doux from the Greek island of SamosContinue reading “RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine”
RKS Wines: What Wine to Bring for that Holiday Dinner You Have Been Invited to?
Assume you have been invited out for a holiday dinner to a family member or friend’s house. It is customary to bring some libations unless you are an ill-mannered lout. Remember that your host has gone to a great deal of expense and effort in preparing the dinner. So what do you bring? The holidayContinue reading “RKS Wines: What Wine to Bring for that Holiday Dinner You Have Been Invited to?”
RKS Wine: Some CAVA Please to Start Your Feast This Christmas or New Year’s Eve
If you have a multi course dinner awaiting you this upcoming holiday season there is an adage that your palate should be cleaned up and fresh so you can appreciate your festive dinner. This is where a Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wine can be of use as its acidic composition scours the palate ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: Some CAVA Please to Start Your Feast This Christmas or New Year’s Eve”
RKS Wine: Flapping Around on the Wild Side with Roast Turkey: Lambrusco!
Lambrusco’s reputation was in the crapper for many years as overproduction and lack of quality control kicked Lambrusco in the head. But it is trying to mount a comeback over the past few years. We see so little of it here in Ontario but what I have tasted in the last 5 years has beenContinue reading “RKS Wine: Flapping Around on the Wild Side with Roast Turkey: Lambrusco!”
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