RKS 2025 CANADIAN WINE: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Merlot

Stag’s Hollow Winery celebrates 30 years of British Columbia winemaking in 2025. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the winery has reimagined its Renaissance Merlot 2022 label to feature three exclusive ‘Art Series’ labels, each capturing the essence of the Stag’s Hollow estate in Okanagan Falls, BC. The depiction on each label, created by local artistsContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN WINE: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Merlot”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah from Beautiful British Columbia: An Affordable Canadian Côte-Rôtie????

The standard slogan, now gradually disappearing, on British Columbia license plates was “Beautiful British Columbia”. What is not disappearing on the shelves of state monopoly liquor distributor in the province of Ontario (LCBO) are the wines of British Columbia because there were so few of them anyways so not much to disappear. As American winesContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah from Beautiful British Columbia: An Affordable Canadian Côte-Rôtie????”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Queen Bee 2023 Niagara Peninsula Rosé

Ontario rosé is nothing to sneeze at. But I fear I will be stung by the heavy Muscat component of this Queen Bee rosé as Muscat can be very tiresome in blended dry white and rosé with a very notable exception being the rosé wines by Vokakis Winery on the Greek Island of Samos. AContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Queen Bee 2023 Niagara Peninsula Rosé”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier

Viognier is a rare grape in Ontario! So with great interest Viognier from Palatine Hills. Aroma: Apricot, peach, Seville marmalade, mango and talcum powder. Palate: Guava, banana and Orri tangerine. Firm. Dry. Big mouthfeel. Long finish. Personality: Don’t be timid about giving me a try. You will not find much of me as a singleContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Redstone 2021 Gamay Noir

Aroma: Raspberry, Niagara red cherry and a generous dosage of French oak. Palate: Restrained and tight giving little rein to the raspberry and cherry but not stifling it. Short finish with light and passing tannins. Personality: So if I don’t flaunt my fruit this is a matter of choice and style. Cellarbility: Drink now. FoodContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Redstone 2021 Gamay Noir”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada

Rosehall Run 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay is an “entry level” Chardonnay from Rosehall Run in Prince Edward County although it is a VQA Ontario wine as opposed to VQA Prince Edward County. Wonder if the grapes were trucked in from Niagara? Aroma: Pear, apple, lemon, pineapple and some lemon meringue pie. Palate: Crisp and taut. WhileContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Bachelder Bai Xu Single Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir

From vines planted in 1981. 32% whole cluster. Decant for one hour imparting more life and fruit. Aroma: Loads of red cherry! Secondary notes of raspberry. Tertiary notes of dark chocolate and earthiness. Palate: Not much tannic grip. Smooth. Modest acidity. Airy cherry and raspberry. Fruity. Long peppered finish with a tiny bit of sweetness.Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Bachelder Bai Xu Single Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Shale Ridge 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon: Gutsy and/or Suicidal

Producing single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in Ontario is a risky business as far as I can see. Most often it is a bland experience but jazzed up with generous oak it just may surprise you. Shale Ridge is located in Thedford, Ontario proximate to the shores of Lake Huron in Southwest Ontario. Their 2023 CabernetContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Shale Ridge 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon: Gutsy and/or Suicidal”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: & Evermore Chardonnay: Can an Ontario “Budget” Chardonnay Deliver?

If one pauses momentarily in a wave of Canadian patriotism accentuated by Trumpian carnival barking annexation of Canada aggression and decides to buy Canadian wine one may discover Canadian wines can be pricier than many Chilean, Spanish, Argentinian and Portuguese wines. Chardonnay is no exception so with interest we try a $16 & Evermore 2023Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: & Evermore Chardonnay: Can an Ontario “Budget” Chardonnay Deliver?”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Southbrook Triomphe Merlot From Niagara

Niagara Merlot appears to be making great strides for itself whether it be Peninsula Ridge or Peller Estates. Could it be a judicious use of oak that is the key? This Southbrook Organic Merlot was wild fermented in new and used French oak barrels aged for 18 months. Aroma: Raspberry, black cherry and cassis withContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Southbrook Triomphe Merlot From Niagara”