RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: 2021 Nomad Fumé Blanc From Niagara, Ontario

Aroma: Lemon, lime, guava, peach, pineapple and mango. Wow this has lots going on! Palate: Despite all the fruitish bouquet activity there is a certain austerity on the palate and despite 12 months ageing in oak it has a clean stainless-steel backbone, or least that is the way it presents itself. Try and try youContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: 2021 Nomad Fumé Blanc From Niagara, Ontario”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: A Red Assemblage from Ferox Estate Winery in Niagara, Ontario

A blend of Zweigelt (53%), Merlot (18%), Syrah (15%), Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) from 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each component was aged in neutral French oak barriques (225L) for a minimum of 2 years before élevage, assemblage, filtration and bottling. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and cassis all rather dense and heady.Continue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: A Red Assemblage from Ferox Estate Winery in Niagara, Ontario”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot

If you are going to “make it” with Syrah and Merlot in Ontario generous oak treatment and pristine quality grapes are required. This is a single vineyard dual variety wine that has spent thirty months in used French oak. 50% each of Syrah and Merlot. Aroma: Definite Merlot on the nose not lush and plushContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Leaning Post Cuvée Winona

There are glitzy and glorious wineries in Niagara, Ontario looking more akin to castles and grand estates than a down-home winery where wine is the only show in town and no $36 truffle pizza is available. Leaning Post is one of those down-home wineries where great wine is about the only game going on. WeContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Leaning Post Cuvée Winona”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Peller Estates Private Reserve 2021 Meritage

From the Niagara region in Ontario, Canada we try a Peller Estates Private Reserve 2021 Meritage a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, cassis with a strong black currant swirl. Palate: The black currant continues to express itself as the predominant influence. Grippy tannins. Short brackish finish. Personality: Big,Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Peller Estates Private Reserve 2021 Meritage”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Henry of Pelham 2020 School House Cabernet Merlot

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aroma: Penetrating blackberry, black cherry and blueberry in equal mixture ensconced in a gentle oak overlay. Palate: Broad based moderate tannins. A fine example of a highly disciplined wine and by that, I mean the fruit is there but your keen senses and more time inContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Henry of Pelham 2020 School House Cabernet Merlot”

RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2021 Dolcetto: The Little Sweet One?

Dolcetto from Italy’s Piedmont region is an easy drinking low acid wine well suited to every night fare which sure as heck beats our Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s description of certain wines as a “Friday night wine” which is code for a stinker! What has Stag’s Hollow done in the Okanagan to this sweetContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2021 Dolcetto: The Little Sweet One?”

RKS 2023 Wine: The Dual Personality of Canadian Rieslings and Mayhem’s 2022 Riesling Amid It!

Yes I struggle mightily with Ontario Riesling. It can make some absolutely remarkable sparkling wine but as a still table wine it is frequently overly dry and unpleasant to drink reminding me of early season grapefruit. I haven’t had a boatload of British Columbia Rieslings for two reasons. Here in Ontario we have a terribleContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: The Dual Personality of Canadian Rieslings and Mayhem’s 2022 Riesling Amid It!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Happily Riding the Great Compromise and Beyond: Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé

Isn’t rosé the great compromise? It should make both white and red wine aficionados raise a pink truce flag. But it goes beyond compromise as it may be a bit of both worlds but stands on its own suitable to many moods and many dishes that white and red do and do not not suit.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Happily Riding the Great Compromise and Beyond: Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé”

RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay from British Columbia

Meyer Family Vineyards released a knockout 2022 Gewürztraminer recently. I think most wine drinkers recognize MFV for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays so let us try their “entry level” 2022 Okanagan Valley Chardonnay 80% of which was aged in stainless steel and 20% in neutral French oak barrels for 6 months. Due to that highContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay from British Columbia”