Feb
3
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2014
There is a new world of Chilean wine just starting to make its way into Canada – a movement influenced by the naturalists and small producers seeking site expression in
Jul
23
Montes Alpha “M’ 2005
I virtually never drink Chilean wines. I happened to have this bottle in my cellar from many years ago – Montes’ top Bordeaux-style blend dominated by 80% Cab Sauv with
May
8
A California Grand Cru: Visiting Ridge’s Monte Bello Vineyard
Abe Schoener is right. The greatest legacy of changing sentiments in the “new” California is increased focus on California’s best vineyards – its premier and grand crus. One of the
Jan
19
L’Oratoire de Chasse-Spleen 2009
Bordeaux remains one of the world’s greatest wine regions and I am increasingly interested in exploring and drinking those wines outside of the most famous. With such wines one can
Sep
5
Of Stump Years and Spaniards or Bordeaux for Regular Folk
Much like Vancouver Real Estate, Bordeaux has been priced out of reach for regular non-wealthy folk. Chinese millionaires are gobbling up ‘culture’ through ‘luxury’ with the appetite of millions of
Aug
30
Loredan Gasparini Capo di Stato Colli Trevigiani Rosso IGT 2007
Before the Super Tuscans there was Capo di Stato from the Veneto, one of the first Bordeaux blends made in Italy that gained international attention. Founded in the 1950’s by
Jun
28
Dominus Estate 2001
Dominus takes a contrary approach to most Napa Valley Bordeaux blends. First off, Christian Moueix (also of Petrus) never discloses the cepage on the bottle. He also decries overripeness and
Aug
5
Branaire-Ducru St. Julien 2005
Bordeaux, the world’s most price inflated wine. But also one of the most underappreciated. How is this so? If you are not in the ranks of the most famous producers,
Oct
24
Betz “Clos de Betz” 2009
Washington Cabernet and Bordeaux blends have always sat in a difficult place for me. Attempting to emulate California Opulent, they often come across as bland, uninteresting and overpriced compared to
Oct
6
Orin Swift Papillon 2005
This bottle is from the inaugural vintage for Orin Swift’s Bordeaux style blend Papillon. Orin Swift, for anyone hiding from the juice of the California wine industry, is the project of