This is the first of six posts about Californian wineries I had the opportunity to visit in August. It’s taken me a bit to digest everything I tasted and saw but needless to say that California is definitely worth a visit. My first stop was at Chateau Montelena. Shortly after...
2013 Merlot – ****+ – $24.95 – Winery Only – This wine is stunning! The nose is ripe aromas of smoke with black currant, blackberry and coffee. The nose almost fools you because it is restrained and elegant. Once the wine hits your tongue prepare for a wake up call....
2013 Trius Red – Vintages 303800 – $22.95 – **** – I look forward to this wine every year. I have said this before, but this is still a benchmark for value. Coming off the heels of the warm 2012 version of this wine (which is hopefully still ageing in...
2012 Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglioni – Vintages 145920 – $21.95 – **** – Mainly Cab Sauv, with Merlot, Cab Franc and Sangiovese to round out the package this is a very nice full bodied, easy drinking wine. The nose and flavours are licorice and black currant. Flavours are very fruit...
2013 Hidden Bench Estate Riesling – Vintages 183491 – $23.95 – **** – Hidden Bench is a great producer and I had a chance to visit them in December. It was great to get a chance to re-taste this wine. There is great mineral on the nose with apple and...
2013 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy – Vintages 149237 – $19.95 – **** – This is a very good follow up to the 2012 vintage. Roasted herb with ripe strawberry and raspberry on the nose. The flavours in this wine are Strawberry, Raspberry and black plum with a nice hint...
2012 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – Vintages 247881 – $18.95 – ****+ – Juicy, ripe and delicious flavours of blackberry, dark plum, currant, and mocha with nice pepper on the finish. I last tasted this wine in 2014 and needless to say this still has a few years...
Let’s consider these two reviews as bonus content for the week. While both of these wines aren’t available in Vintages they are too good to not write about. 2013 Rosewood Locked and Loaded – $19.95 – (August Release) – ****+ – I got a chance to taste this wine right...
2012 Sue-Ann Staff Merlot – Vintages 358416 – $19.95 – ****+ – This is the sort of wine that will make a perfect addition to your spring/summer entertaining. Merlot is a great crowd pleaser because it is easy drinking and doesn’t have quite the bite that you would find in...
2012 Domaine de Valcolombe Cuvée Baroque – Price and Availability TBD – ****+ – This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Flavours of Cassis, Blackberry, Plum with Cedar notes that bring up the finish. This bottle does need an hour in a decanter but the firm...
2013 Fielding Red Conception – Vintages 189183 – $18.95 – **** – Unpretentious and loaded with fruit. This easy drinking red blend brings raspberry, blackberry and plum in the mouth but isn’t too heavy. Medium bodied with good structure and medium tannin that softens quickly after opening. A good red...
This is the second post from a monthly tasting group that we hold at the iYellow wine cave. Angela Aiello, Mandy Shnurr, Jason Solanki, and Krista Lamb meet up once a month to taste something of interest to them and discuss. We have decided to call our tasting group #blendedcru...
