Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews – Page 8 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: A Glass of Freakshow with “Nightmare Alley”?

Does being politically correct make you nauseous? Being averse to dig into this subject let me give you an example. I was waiting to board an Air Canada flight in Athens headed for Toronto on September 20th. I talked to a father and daughter from Ohio who lived a couple of hours south of ClevelandContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Glass of Freakshow with “Nightmare Alley”?”

RKS Wine: The Greatest Wine Since Sliced Bread? How Do We Deal with an Argentinian Monster?

After I review a wine, I may look what other reviewers have to say about it. Some critics I take seriously and others not so and then there is Luca Maroni who often scores wines in the 90’s when they deserve to be in the 80’s. What would you deduce from insanely high ratings? ForContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Greatest Wine Since Sliced Bread? How Do We Deal with an Argentinian Monster?”

RKS Wine: The Velvet Devil Merlot: Avoiding Dancing with the Devil

The label for The Velvet Devil Merlot 2019 is stark yet catchy as most wine labels from Charles Smith are. So it grabs your attention stylistically but what about after the bottle is opened and reality sets in? Yes, it is also cheaper than many Washington State Merlots but can it match their quality? OnContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Velvet Devil Merlot: Avoiding Dancing with the Devil”

RKS Wine: Stratus Wildass 2019 Merlot: Giving Ontario Merlot Another Chance

In the past few years I have given up on Ontario Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as a single varietal wine. Could it be that Ontario doesn’t have the terroir and climate for these two grapes? However earlier this year I spent a few days at Niagara-on-the-Lake and discovered a Two Sisters Merlot that impressed atContinue reading “RKS Wine: Stratus Wildass 2019 Merlot: Giving Ontario Merlot Another Chance”

RKS Wine: The Return of the Penniless Pensioner and the Tirana Tigress in Albania

After months of radio silence, I received a Facetime call from the Penniless Pensioner from the capital of Albania, the glistening Tirana. We chatted like it was yesterday! His last love affair with the Russian Svetlana crumbled rather quickly after her yacht was confiscated in Montenegro. Apparently her yacht was stolen from Crimea when theContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Return of the Penniless Pensioner and the Tirana Tigress in Albania”

RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018

The wine is a blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). As for aromatics blackberry rules supreme. To a lesser extent blueberries, black cherry, root beer and a bit of lavender. I am noticing an increasing streak of root beer in some high alcohol wines. This wine is 14%. On the palate the tanninsContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018”

RKS Wine: Alentejano Wines Keep Charging Ahead

If we discuss Portuguese imports of wine to Canada the Douro leads the pack but over the past few years the wines of Alentejano are catching up. Let’s try Valcatrina from the Alentejano from well known producer Casa Santos Lima. Unfortunately, the label only states the wine is made from “typical grape varieties”. Hardly helpfulContinue reading “RKS Wine: Alentejano Wines Keep Charging Ahead”

RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier

Marsanne and Viognier are often companions in a blend creating a very unique stye of wine. Lots of tropical notes like mango and peach with pineapple. Viognier on its own is also or can be quite tasty. Here in Ontario countries of origin for Viognier would primarily be France and Australia. Does Ontario produce Viognier?Continue reading “RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier”

RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?

Price is not determinative when it comes to quality of a wine. I had a buddy over for dinner last Saturday. He was happily ebullient over a $90 Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County in Ontario. Knowing that I write about wine and have made several recommendations to him for wine purchases he looked atContinue reading “RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?”

RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?

If you prefer the wines of Bordeaux a common feature on their label is some Château in picture and in name. Who kidnaped the château on the front of this bottle? There is no château written and for pictorial representation perhaps it is there but so far in the distance. The wine is 100% Merlot.Continue reading “RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?”