Elderton Ode To Lorraine 2015, Barossa Valley, Australia 🇦🇺

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 58%

🍇 Shiraz 37%

🍇 Merlot 5%

🧐 Alcohol 14.5%

🍁 My Score 92 Points 

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Beautiful, inviting ripe nose with aromas of black cherries, blackberries, plums, cassis, violets, tobacco, vanilla, cedar and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, luscious mid palate, smooth texture and fresh acidity. The finish is long, very flavourful with plenty of black fruit and blueberries covered with chocolate.

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In these difficult times, this is the kind of comforting wine I need. A delicious big juicy red blend, very aromatic, full of flavours, intense and a finish that begs for another sip. A gorgeous and delicious wine 💕. Need I say,  strongly recommended. Cheers my wine friends 🍷 

Ursa Major ‘Sabor a Mi' 2017, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦 ⁣

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🍇 Whole Cluster Syrah 53%⁣
🍇 Malbec 27%⁣
🍇 Whole Cluster Merlot 18%⁣
🍇 Petit Verdot 2%⁣
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🧐 Alcohol 14%⁣
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🍁 My Score 90 Points ⁣
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🧩 18 months in neutral oak, bottled unfined and unfiltered ⁣
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♦️ Artwork by @kgardnerk⁣
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🔸  Quite an intriguing nose on this blend with aromas of fresh wild berries, plums, peppery notes and a touch of earthy funk. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with lively flavours, good energy, fine grainy tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is medium-long with flavours of berries, spices and underlying earthiness.⁣
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🔹  Definitely one of my favourite low intervention red so far. The star for me, by far was it’s intoxicating aromatics, there is a Brett like aromas that I find quite charming. A very approachable, flavourful red blend with load of character and a juicy finish. ⁣
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🙂 👏  A portion of the proceeds from this wine will be donated to @sowins_page  South Okanagan Women in Need. A non-profit organization in Penticton, British Columbia that provides shelter, safety and support to victim of abuse.⁣
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Cheers my wine friends 🍷⁣
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Emiliana ‘Coyam’ 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile 🇨🇱

🍇 Syrah 45%
🍇 Carménère 35%
🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
🍇 Mourvèdre 5%
🍇 Malbec 4%
🍇 Petit Verdot 3%

🧐 Alcohol 14.5%

🍁 My Score 92 Points

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Beautiful nose with aromas of plums, black fruit, violets, wet earth, forest floor and exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, earthy palate, silky smooth tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is medium length, smooth texture with flavours of dried mushroom, vanilla, chocolate and peppery notes.

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Not my first experience with this delicious and well made wine from Emiliana Organic Vineyards. This time I decided to give it a few more months in bottle (purchased in March of 2018). The added cellar time has made this wine very smooth, where all elements are well integrated and where there is more savoury flavours than fruit flavours at this stage of it’s life. The fruit is all organic and definitely one of the best value red blends. Cheers my wine friends.

Kalala Apire 2014, VQA British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦

🍇 Merlot
🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon
🍇 Syrah

🧐 Alcohol 14.4%

🍁 My Score 89 Points

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Very expressive nose with aromas of ripe black cherries, blackberries, tobacco and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, luscious mid palate, smooth tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is long, flavourful with a smoky crushed wild berries explosion.

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I enjoy when Syrah is added to Bordeleau varietals, it definitely adds flavour and complexity, at $28 🇨🇦 dollars it represents fantastic value, strongly recommended. Now if can only put my hands on one of their Zweigelt 😉 Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2010, Rioja, Spain

75% of this Rioja is made with Grenache, and in a supporting role Tempranillo at 20% and Mazuelo at 5%, maturation in mostly French oak (90%) with the remaining 10% American oak and alcohol comes in at 14%.

Ruby red in the glass with a tings of violet this wine opened up with aromas of red berry fruit, plums, leather, spices and light cedar and vanilla. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with spicy bright flavors, lively acidity and well integrated fine tannins. Good energy and length on the finish with flavors of sweet and tangy berry fruit lingering. Another great wine from Alvaro Palacios, showing lots of charm and personality. I can almost describe this as a spicy Pinot Noir, strongly recommended score 89 points.

Purchased September 14, 2013 at the SAQ (10556993) at $19.65    

Porca de Murça Reserva Tinto 2010, Doc Douro, Portugal

We all love a bargain and this is the real deal, made with native Portuguese grapes (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) with alcohol coming in at 13%.

This wine opened up with a fragrant bouquet of ripe cherries/blackberry fruit, vanilla, smoky and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied and nicely layered by a rich combination of fruit, gentle wood spices, lively acidity and wonderful structured, slightly chewy tannins. This Portuguese blend has a long, generous and flavorful finish with a nice tannic grip lingering. This is a really enjoyable, robust and great value wine, that is well structured and age worthy. Drinking beautifully now but would be an excellent addition to your cellar to be enjoyed over the next 2-4 years. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased July 20, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (684753) at $17.95  

Domaine De Billa-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2010, Ac Côte Du Rousillon-Villages Latour De France, France

Another great wine from Michel Chapoutier, that is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. This wine opened up with complex aromas of blackberry, sour cherry, underbrush, dried sage, saddle leather, smoky and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (alcohol comes in at 14.5%), the texture is slightly rustic with flavors of black fruit, meaty and peppery notes and fine grainy tannins. The finish is medium length with excellent depth of flavors. These days so many wines seem to all taste the same, for me this red blend has a real sense of place, very interesting and strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

Purchased July 20, 2013 LCBO Vinatges New Release (643239) at $24.95 

Matchbook Tinto Rey 2007, California, USA

Spain meets California in this interesting blend of 44% Tempranillo, 36% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Graciano and 2% Petit Syrah with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 13.9%. 

This wine opened up with aromas of cherry, blueberry, soft leather, gentle wood spices and cigar box notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with soft seductive fruit, finely textured, balanced acidity and silky tannins. This blends finish is moderately complex, very smooth with mature, spicy flavours. This is a very interesting wine with aromatics similar to a Spanish wine but with a riper, and rounder, more velvety texture. Had I tried this wine about a year ago; it would have most likely had a little more structure and tannins. Very enjoyable wine served slightly chilled, over the next year or so. Score 88 points.

Purchased May 11, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (317859) at $21.95
 

Tabali Reserva Especial 2009, Limari Valley, Chile

This wine is a blend of 74% Syrah with the remaining 14% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and alcohol coming in at 14%.

This wine opened up with intense aromatics and flavours of blueberry, blackberry, black currants, pain grillé, exotic spices, sandalwood, and gamey notes. On the mouthfeel, full-bodied, robust, well structured with flavours of dark fruit, cedar and spices, crisp acidity and considerable woodsy tannins. Very good length on the finish with loads of power, rich flavours and chalky tannins. I enjoyed this wine so much, I returned to the shop to buy replacements. This time I will wait an additional 1-2 years before opening my next bottle, it needs time to fully integrate and for the tannins to soften to provide drinking pleasure over the next 4-5 years at least. Fantastic value and strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased March 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (107540) at $22.95

Penfold Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2008, South Australia, Australia

 

What am I to pair with a BBQ steak while having friends over and watching the big game (Super Bowl)? An equally big wine, a magnum of Penfold Bin 389, of course.

This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Shiraz from various regions of South Australia (Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale), maturation taking place in 34% new American oak hogsheads with the remaining in seasoned American oak for 13 months and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

Dark purple in color, this blend opened up with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black currants, tar, dark chocolate, wood smoke, minty, clove and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, robust with concentrated and rich flavours, balanced acidity and grainy tannins. Very good length and power on the finish with layers of dark fruit, spices, cedar notes and fine grained tannins lingering. A big wine in every sense of the word, robust yet approachable, even in its youth and should keep improving over the next decade or more. Enjoyed by all, score 93 points. Okay score was Baltimore 34, SF 31.

Purchased at the SAQ October 10, 2011 at $79.00 for a 1.5 litre

Long Shadows Saggi 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA

Made by Folonari, one of the oldest wine families of Italy, this wine is an interesting blend of 43% Sangiovese, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Syrah with maturation taking place in French oak and alcohol coming in at 14.6%.

This blend opened up with exotic aromas of ripe wild berries, blackberry, espresso, incense, white pepper, Asian spices and toasty/earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied nicely layered by soft seductive dark fruit, oak spices, lively acidity and silky tannins. This finish is very long, nicely layered with a beautiful silky textured. Saggi 2007 is a very interesting and enjoyable wine and was just as lovely as their Pedestal, Merlot. Score 92 points.

Purchased November 10, 2012 at the SAQ (11335527) at $44.50

Domaine De Billa-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2009, Ac Côte Du Rousillon-Villages Latour De France, France

 

This wine is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Carignan with maturation taking place in equal part in vats and casks and alcohol coming in at 15%.

The first thing that stands out for me is how aromatic this wine is, with aromas of crushed ripe cherries, blackberry, dark plum, dried sage, rosemary and underbrush with a smoky and a stony minerality. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, with a creamy and juicy texture and flavours of dark ripe fruit, savoury notes and gentle wood spices, balanced acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long and juicy with great flavours.

This was my first experience with this wine and a much more enjoyable experience than the straight Rousillon Village from Bila-Haut and worth the extra dollars. Real easy to enjoy and worthy of another purchase; the bad news is that it’s already sold out in this market. I will approach the next vintage a little wiser, score 89 points.

Purchased September 29, 2012 LCBO New Release (643239) at $24.95

Road 13 Rockpile 2009, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

 

 

This wine is a blend of mostly Merlot and Syrah at 45% each with the remaining 10% is Cabernet Franc at 5%, Lemberger at 3%, Cabernet Sauvignon 1% and Dornfelder at 1%. Maturation took place in a combination of French and American oak for 16 months and alcohol arrived at 14.9%. The Lemberger and Dornfelder are rarely seen in this country but are commonly grown in Württember, Germany.

 

I had previously enjoyed this wine in a restaurant in Victoria, BC last May and decided to purchase a bottle to add to my cellar for enjoyment later. This wine opened up with aromas of cherry, plum, vanilla spices, black pepper, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, quite well structured and complex with flavours of ripe berry fruit, peppery, cedary and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. My favourite part of this blend was the finish, very smooth, very rich concentrated fruit and vanilla spice flavours lingering. Definitely much better than in May, the flavours and all elements are starting to blend nicely together with better days to come. I must admit here that I really like this wine label, I know that you shouldn’t buy a wine because you like the label but in this case, for me, its represents what a good wine should be about. There is little chance of making a great wine without great fruit, great wines start in the vineyard and farming is a very important part of wine making process. Very enjoyable and strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

 

Purchased at Spinnakers in Victoria, BC on May 5, 2012 for $22.99

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot 2010, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

 

 

This is a rich and full bodied blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Shiraz and 6% Merlot with maturation taking place in French and American oak for 12 months with the alcohol coming in at 14%.

This wine opens up with a very masculine bouquet of cherry, plum, cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco, black pepper, minty and smoky notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, dry, rich and concentrated flavours, mild acidity and tight tannins. The finish is long, well structured with excellent depth of flavours. It is sure to acquire some finesse over the next 3-4 years, but can still be enjoyed now with any BBQ red meat. Strongly recommended and most especially at this price. Score 90 points.

Purchased September 15, 2012 LCBO New Release (51600) at $19.95

Mission Hill Quatrain 2008, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Since its inaugural release with the 2005 vintage, Quatrain has become my favourite wine from Mission Hill, taking into consideration the quality and price. This is a blend of 34% Merlot, 29% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon with maturation taking place in French and American oak for 15 months with alcohol coming in at 14.0%.

This blend opened up with aromas of dark cherry and plum, blackcurrants, pepper, clove, vanilla, tobacco and light smoke. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, intensely flavourful, slightly chewy, balanced acidity and puckering tannins. Good length on the finish with loads of dark fruit, spices and persistent tannins lingering. I usually like Quatrain for its elegance, this 2008 vintage is a little more muscular. My favourite vintage still remains the 2006, where the Syrah was the dominant grape with 41% and where maturation took place in French oak only. Quatrain 2008 is still a nice bottle of wine but as it sheds some of its oak; it should gain more complexity and elegance. Score 90 points.

Purchased November 12, 2011 LCBO New Release (218636) at $41.95

Quinta Do Quetzal Reserva 2007, Do Alentejo, Portugal

This wine is a blend of 40% Trincadeira, 40% Alfrocheiro and 20% Alicant Bouschet, maturation taking place in French oak for 12 months plus an additional 8 months in bottle before release, alcohol comes in at 14%.

Great nose on this blend with aromas of ripe berries, cherry, plum, sweet spices, floral and wood spice notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, soft seductive fruit flavours, spicy with balanced acidity and silky tannins. The wine finish is long, fruit driven, slightly spicy, very smooth with good energy. This wine doesn’t scream Portugal to me, definitely not rustic for sure but well made, not overly manipulated, made in a more modern style. There is a real elegance and sophistication about this wine, I did enjoy two bottles of Quinta Do Quetzal Reserva 2007 and both were consistently good, score 91 points.

Purchased June 23, 2012 LCBO New Release (277376) at $27.95

Rivera Il Falcone Riserva 2007, Doc Castel Del Monte, Puglia, Italy

This wine is a blend of 70%  Nero di Troia and 30% Montepulciano grapes, maturation took place in French oak barriques for 12 months with alcohol coming in at 13.5%.

This wine opened up with aromas of dark plum, cherry, prune, woodsmoke, chocolate, leather and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, very rustic with low acidity and dusty tannins. Interesting farmy, leathery character with mild dryness on the finish. For me, Rivera Il Falcone Riserva 2007 did not quit achieve the elegance of their 2006 vintage but it still an enjoyable and recommended wine. Score 89 points.

Purchased September 1, 2012 LCBO New Release (177295) at $22.95

Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009, DOC, Veneto, Italy

This wine is made from the usual suspects, Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, with the first fermenting process carried out in autumn. At the beginning of spring it is then re-fermented (Ripasso) with leftover Amarone grape skins and seeds soaked in wine, which adds flavours and texture to the Valpolicella.

This wine opens up with attractive aromas of cherry, dark plums, raisins, chocolate and sweet spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%) with balance acidity, soft tannins and well integrated oak. Very tasty on the finish with a creamy texture and flavours of cherry, chocolate and spices lingering. Quit a lovely and enjoyable wine and represents excellent value for money. Strongly recommended, Score 89 points.

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO New Release at $16.95

Hester Creek The Judge 2008, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Wow, what incredible aromatics on this wine, it brings me back to the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival where I first tasted and then purchased this wine. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, 100% estate grown fruit with alcohol coming in at 14.1%. On the nose, this blend opens up with aromas of cherry, figs, soft leather, black pepper, vanilla, savoury spices and attractive cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, big plumy fruit and cedar spices, fresh acidity and fine chewy tannins. This wine finish is long with a very smooth texture, seductive fruit and savoury spices lingering. In my view this wine is drinking at its best right now, with soft tannins and well integrated oak. And the verdict! The Judge is guilty of being damn delicious, what a treat. Score 92 points. 

Purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival in Vancouver, BC on March 2, 2012 at $45.00  

Le Sughere Di Frassinello 2007, IGT Maremma, Toscany, Italy

From the Italian coastal region of Maremma, this Super Tuscan wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

A bit too easy removing the cork from the bottle, and as you can see on the photo, wine leak almost to the top of the cork (on two sides). I thought it might have been slightly oxidized, as the wine was much softer than I expected and drinking like it was a much older wine.

This blend opens up with aromas of small berry fruit, plum, fig, dried raisin, soft leather, exotic spices, earthy and violet notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, silky smooth texture, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Very good length on the finish with soft seductive fruit and savoury flavours. This wine has elegance with seamless aromatics and great finesse. It may have been a cork situation here, but I don’t think that this wine would gain much more with age. I am not sure how it would drink in a year from now, but on this day Le Sughere Di Frassinello 2007 was very enjoyable. Score 91 points.

Purchased February 5, 2012 LCBO New Release (25700) at $31.95