Medium-plus ruby red in the glass. Almost-medium intensity appealing nose of deep black fruit, red cherry, and wood fire. Dry, medium acidity and medium-plus tannins. Medium body, nicely balanced Merlot and Cabernet: blackberry and plum, oak and a touch of coffee; 14% alcohol. Medium length. Overall good. A gift from my father; I believe this was about $30 at Kits Wine. See Môreson Family Winery.
Medium deep ruby with a garnet rim. Beautiful light nose of red cherry, strawberry, and fall forest—perfect complement to this drizzling but beautiful Vancouver day. Dry with a hint of residual sweetness, mid acidity, low tannins and light-plus body. Red fruits dominate, nicely balanced but with a bit of medicinal quality (also noted by a taster on CellarTracker). Good length. 14.2% alcohol. Overall good. $48 at Legacy Liquor Store. See Domaine Carneros.
Medium ruby and a slight purple tint. Medium nose of plums and sour cherry, spice and damp. Dry, medium-plus acidity, mid tannins, and a light-ish body. Dominated by sour cherry and general black fruits, with tasteful oak. Medium length with a finish that falls off in terms of flavours quite quickly. 13.5% alcohol. Overall good. $26.50 at Steamworks. See Bodega Catena Zapata.
Beautiful deep ruby-purple in the glass. Medium intensity nose of spice and black cherry. Dry, medium-plus acidity, and mid tannins. Black fruits, pepper, and chocolate in the mouth, with a bite from the 14% alcohol. Medium length peppery-fruity, nicely complex—the Viognier mixes things up a bit; interesting. Overall good; recommended. $34 at Steamworks Wine Thief. See McLaren Vale.
Clear, almost-medium ruby red in the glass. Light, appealing nose of cherries and red berries, pepper, and strongly evident wet leaves. Dry, medium-plus acidity, and medium tannins. The cherries and a bit of raspberry dominate in the mouth. Medium length finish. Overall good; enjoyable Pinot. 13% alcohol. $32.50 at Crosstown. See Robert Oatley Vinehards; see the wine maker’s notes.
Clear, medium ruby in the glass. Medium intensity nose of cherries and prunes, wood and tar. Dry, strong acidity and medium tannins in a medium body. Sharp red and dark cherries and dried fruits with subtle oaking. Real bite from 14% alcohol. Medium length. Overall good; will have to try more Nebbiolo to give this a bit more context.
$39 at Kitsilano Wine Cellar. See Touchstone Wines.
Drinking this with Portobellos Stuffed with Creamy Spinach from Big Vegan.
Clear, pale silver-green in the glass. Very light nose of grapefruit and perhaps a hint of greenness. Off-dry, high acidity, and a bit more than a light body. An overall slightly watery mix of citrus and sort of generic sweetness with some minerality. Blends well but is weak; not much length as a result. Is this the result of the “young vines”? Intriguing. I don’t dislike it, but I’d be curious to see how it evolves in future vintages. 11% alcohol. Overall good. $34.60 at Crosstown, which seems a bit dear. See Rippon Vineyard.
Clear, pale-plus gold appearance. Medium intensity nose of citrus and stone fruit. Off-dry, high acidity, and medium body; lemon and grapefruit dominate in the mouth along with agave nectar and a bit of minerality. Persistent, tart finish. Overall good; straightforward and quite drinkable; I’m having this with a saag soy paneer. 12% alcohol.
$25 at Legacy Liquor Store—first time I’d been here. It’s expansive, and the selection seems pretty good, though there’s definitely an emphasis on booze other than wine.
See Vins Sparr.
In the glass this is clear, medium ruby red with a garnet rim. Medium intensity nose of cherries black and red; an almost-cinnamon spice, and a bit of wood. Dry, medium acidity and medium-plus tannins. Ripe black cherries dominate in the mouth, along with raspberry and plum; again a spiciness with a nice supporting kick from the 14.5% alcohol. Quite fruity and bold and nicely balanced. Medium finish. This is 66% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, 13% Shiraz. I haven’t had a lot of Grenache and will have to explore further; it seems to have much of the quality of Shiraz without being, for want of a better word, quite so obvious about its fruit.
$41 at Kitsilano Wine Cellar, a gift from my father. See Penfolds.
Clear, medium gorgeous yellow-gold in the glass. Medium intensity nose of sweet lemon, minerality, and a bit of petrol. Off dry, high acidity and medium body. Dominated by strong and appealing minerals, along with ripe tropical fruits and a hint of the typical apricot. Good length. 12.5% alcohol. Overall good, and recommended for those who like a classic off-dry Riesling.
$28.75 at Crosstown. See Trinity Hill.
