Many hearing “Malbec” salivate and bark up the Argentinian tree forgetting or not knowing that Malbec can be found in France. In fact it is one of the permitted grapes for red Bordeaux and has quite a reputation in the Cahors appellation for quality and ageability. Let’s give Prieuré de Cénac Malbec from the CahorsContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Pavlovian Dog Barking Up the Wrong Tree”
Tag Archives: Wine
RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?
As far a rosé goes the darker the pink the happier I am. Those wimpy pale rosés strike me with their acidity and thinness. By way of a bad analogy would you prefer to date Brigitte Bardot or Twiggy? Aroma: Loads of raspberry with strawberry, red cherry, wet stone and a tiny bit of cottonContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Famille Perrin 2023 Tavel: Bardot or Twiggy?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016
There is an ample supply at Vintages (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) of red Bordeaux under $25. Are they so much inferior to a Château Clarke 2016 from Baron Edmond de Rothschild at $55? This wine is a blend of 70 % Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aroma: A forceful and dense nose of plum,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Some Higher End Bordeaux: Château Clarke 2016”
RKS 2024 Film: “Widow Clicquot”: A Champagne Adventure
“Widow Clicquot” is one of those historical dramas with lush cinematography, brooding music and period costumes. It is the struggle of Barbe-Nicole-Ponsardin Clicquot (b1777 d1866) to navigate a struggling Champagne operation inherited from her husband François Clicquot into a successful business enterprise. François (Tom Sturridge) was an innovator with revolutionary ideas which largely failed. AContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: “Widow Clicquot”: A Champagne Adventure”
RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!
Ontario Baco Noir flops more often than not. It has flopped many times in my glass but when managed in the vineyard and in the vat it can make exceptional Baco Noir e.g. Henry of Pelham. And Foch ripped out aplenty years ago can make some exceptional wine e.g. Malivoire. 54% Maréchal Foch and 46%Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A High-Risk Endeavour from Riverview Estate Winery: Baco Noir and Foch Blend!”
PORTHEAD ALERT! Kopke 2018 LBV
Late Bottle Vintage Port (LBV) is an affordable Port that can age well but certainly not as well as Vintage Port. For example the oldest Vintage Port I have had was an 1867 and it still had life. The 1932 Vintage Port likewise. How about the 2018 LBV from Kopke? Aroma: If there is oneContinue reading “PORTHEAD ALERT! Kopke 2018 LBV”
RKS 2024 Wine: Portuguese Wines: The Way of the Dinosaur in Ontario
Over the course of 2024 a question has arisen and that is where Portuguese wines have migrated to as very few are heading into Ontario. Vintages releases of Portuguese wines at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) have disappeared while Spanish wines “flourish” as such a term must be interpreted in the LCBO crazeContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Portuguese Wines: The Way of the Dinosaur in Ontario”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Casa-Dea Rosé from the County
In Ontario when we speak of wine from “The County” we mean Prince Edward County. It is approximately two hours drive from Toronto when the traffic is good which it rarely is. There are over 40 wineries in The County which is the land of second homes of the bourgeoisie of Toronto. But is alsoContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Casa-Dea Rosé from the County”
RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling from Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes: Exceptional! Stupendous!
I encountered this Riesling sitting on a beautiful Great Gatsby deck in Aurora, New York overlooking sunny Cayuga Lake two weeks ago. I brought back two bottles to Toronto. A magical setting and a magical wine I thought or was it just the vista and a beautiful June afternoon? No way! The wine may beContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling from Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes: Exceptional! Stupendous!”
RKS 2024 Wine: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Noir
So far Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Merlot and 2021 Rosso have failed to impress. Incredibly cheap cork that crumbles whilst opening the bottles. Expectations are low for their 2021 Pinot Noir. Aroma: Thank goodness it smells like Pinot Noir. Off to a roaring start but so far aromas of the Merlot and Rosso have beenContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Noir”
