3/1/2024 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Torres Celeste Crianza Pago del Cielo (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
This dark purple Tempranillo with garnet edging offers dried cherry and cedar on the nose. The complex flavours include raisin, fig, cocoa, roasted coffee and cinnamon. Firm yet silky tannins are not overpowering but still bully the fruit at this stage. Great length with a slightly tart tang on the finish. An Old World traditional style wine from an evolving region. Not for the Cali valley jam lovers but definitely a vino built for drinking, thinking, winking…and of course, food.
PS You say tomato, I say eggplant parmigiana. This big bold dish went well with this big bold wine. My version of a Mediterranean diet.

2/25/2024 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Little Engine Merlot Silver (Okanagan Valley)
Deeper purple than a Ravens jersey. Loads of blackberry, fruit cake and football leather on the nose. Lots more berry fruit on the taste with coffee and cocoa notes. The McCaffrey style tannins were definitely intimidating yet more integrated than intense. Great legs and length. A 49ers style finish was less hot than expected despite the 14.3% alcohol. Overall, a massive and memorable Merlot that gave my Riedel a super bowl (which I finished in four downs) .

This Merlot with meat made a better combo than Mahomes and Kelce. Of course, cooking a beef tenderloin sous vide is about as redundant as teaching Taylor Swift how to Travis pick (guitarists may interpret this differently than Swifties and/or NFL fans). But knowing my massive beast muscle would attain a consistent medium-rare temperature of 132F throughout (just like our planet will be with only a couple more centuries of global warming) was well worth the effort.

2/13/2024 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

Weingut Josef LEITZ Eins Zwei Zero Rosé Alcohol free N/V (Germany)
Nosy about this rosé? Various red varietals are used but not specifically mentioned on the label. The winery website only indicates “diverse” varietals but the Quebec liquor crown corporation (Société des alcools du Québec or SAQ) describes the blend as 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Merlot. The brilliant copper pink hue shines seductively indeed. Lovely tropical aromas including papaya and cantaloupe with a splash of strawberry spill from the glass. Slightly spritzy on entry with a bracingly tart Granny Smith apple taste and a squirt of citrusy grapefruit. Decent length on the palate with loads of bright acidity not suppressed by the 38 gm/L residual sugar. Somewhat flat in the midsection (unlike me!) but overall a very drinkable alcohol free rosé built for seafood and Asian cuisine. Only 17 cal/100 ml.

1/23/2024 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Mascota Unánime Gran Vino Tinto (Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina)
This rich red blend (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc) is a flavour bomb that explodes out of the glass. Dark ruby in colour, the olfactory assault includes cherry, raisin and cocoa. An almost compote like cascade of blackberry and dried cherry includes a dollop of vanilla and spice and something else nice. Dense and deep, this wine features astounding balance and length, structured with a rebarred reticulum of tactful tannins. A big bruiser that’s somehow still elegant and leggy (think BOTH Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in a wine glass). Great value.

1/6/2024 - noblerot23 wrote:

2022 Torres Sangre de Toro 0.0 (Garnacha/Syrah blend, dealcoholized) Spain
Medium ruby in the glass with subtle cherry and lilac on the nose. Lots of “Starburst” style cherry flavour with flecks of spice and rather stealthy tannins hiding behind a very distant tree. Surprisingly balanced with delicious acid and decent length, finishing with just a pinch of sweetness. Honestly more reminiscent of a lighter style Pinot Noir sporting less wood than a hockey puck. Imagine a forgotten glass of picnic verjus reclaimed after a downpour. Still, this “bull’s blood” is the best dealcoholized red wine that I have tasted so far…and at a bargain price too ($8.99 @ BCL).
Note: The current standard for dealcoholized red wine seems to involve lighter colour, softer aroma, fresh grape juice taste with residual sweetness and sparse tannins. Despite these underwhelming compromises, forward fruit flavours balanced with lovely acid, mouthfeel and length have opened the door to a world of food matching. Hopefully harnessed nuclear fusion will not become economically feasible BEFORE one of these zero alcohol creations impresses with its power and complexity.

12/28/2023 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2013 is Leonetti Cellar’s first vintage of Aglianico, a grape variety found almost exclusively in Southern Italy. Renowned for having high tannin and high acidity, these wines need an informed aging program to subdue the harsher elements and transform them into something truly special. Here the wine was aged in a combination of terracotta amphorae and French oak over 44 months.
Colour? A deep, dark, light absorbing black hole. Think ink for this drink. May be even darker than Petite Sirah or barn find crankcase oil.
Aroma? Leather, cherry, tar and dusty rose.
Taste? Plum and black cherry fruit with some smoked meat, licorice and cough syrup (not Buckley’s!). The tight tannins are tenacious but tamed, lingering and lovely before languishing to an elegant afterglow. No gum Dysoning here. Mouthfeel is more lean than light with an acidity that’s bright but not bracing. Great length with no afterburn despite the 13.9% alcohol. A surprising wine that offers Old World style from a New World stylist, perhaps most reminiscent of a broody Barolo. Clearly something special that’s unique and memorable. A definite head-scratcher that leaves one itching for more. Decanting recommended.
Thanks JD.
PS The wine paired beautifully with short ribs braised in Guinness.

9/5/2023 - noblerot23 wrote:

N/V Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir Alcohol Free (Rheingau, Germany)
Legless light garnet in the glass. Subtle aroma of rose, cherry and raspberry with no off putting elements. The taste screams sour cherry with a sliver of red licorice. The preponderance of acid is thankfully curtailed by noticeable yet not dominant residual sugar. Unfortunately the overall flavour seems simple and insipid, particularly when anticipating a real wine experience. Definitely missing the structure and complexity of a good Pinot Noir (or any other serious iteration of wine). Despite these shortcomings, there was an astounding length on the palate that followed a somewhat soft and flabby midsection.
Of all the alcohol free “wines” that I have tasted, this is one of the finer examples but it’s still a long pour away from the real thing.
One final surprise: it was actually a pleasant accompaniment to baked salmon.

1/25/2023 - noblerot23 wrote:

Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Chardonnay (alcohol free) (Germany)
Subtle aroma of apple and ginger ale. The slight initial transient effervescence was not off putting. Decent but tart unoaked varietal taste, mainly apple and pear flavours with a hint of orange; definitely a dry and citrusy overall impression despite the stingy pinch of residual sweetness. Good length and decent mouthfeel although a bit flabby in the midsection, not overly complex, yet satisfying. Would pair better with foods that are more typically complemented by leaner Pinot Grigios than richer Chardonnays. Definitely one of the best alcohol free wines that I have tasted although it still falls somewhat short of the real deal.

11/22/2022 - noblerot23 Does not like this wine:

2021 Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon Dealcoholized Wine (California)
After reading that this was one of the best dealcoholized red wines available in the US, I was looking forward to my sampling opportunity. The nose was quite subdued with a slight fruity essence. The seriously dark colour suggested the hopeful possibility of prolonged skin contact and flavour extraction. However, the grape juice taste was sadly simple and slightly tart (or perhaps tightly smart?), clearly built to be a non offensive wine-like beverage with an added smidge of residual sugar to rein in the acid. The complete absence of any real tannins or complexity led to a rather quick taste drop off. My overall impression was one of black currant Kool-Aid or Ribena “light.” Disappointing. Despite increasing consumer demand, production of a decent dealcoholized wine seems to be an elusive objective.

11/16/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2021 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros)
A complex aroma that includes cherry, raspberry and plum with a distant whiff of cinnamon. All the fruits double down in the bold taste profile, accented further by some intriguing spice and faint smoke, all Krazy Glued together with congenial, well integrated tannins. The nicely balanced flavour arc lasts longer than a reverse mortgage infomercial.

11/3/2022 - noblerot23 wrote:

2018 Canyon Road Merlot (California)
Fruit cake, raspberry, cherry and chocolate on the nose. A tidal wave of jammy cherry and blackberry, seemingly sweet on entry which sadly fizzles into a vacuous midsection before dropping off quickly with just a distant memory of soft tannins. More confection than convention. Imagine Disney making wine at the sappiest place on earth. Perhaps the perfect Halloween wine in that it echoes loads of anticipation, followed by a treacly treat overload, then anticlimactic regret…and perhaps a dental appointment.

10/13/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2021 Clos du Soleil Pinot Gris Winemaker’s Series Whispered Secret Vineyard (Similkameen)
Sensational citrusy scent—freshly cut grapefruit and lime. Fruit forward taste with loads of grapefruit, kiwi and pear. Zesty with a pleasantly bitter backbone, not unusual for this varietal. Good length and mouthfeel. Adept winemaking clearly on display. A most agreeable Gris looking for food from the sea.

10/7/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 SpearHead Pinot Noir Coyote Vineyard (Okanagan)
Pale garnet with oily legs (usually not a bad thing!). Complex aroma of strawberry, raspberry, cinnamon and red licorice with just a whiff of herbs. More fruity than earthy. Big flavours of cherry, pomegranate, rose hip plus a dash of clove. Soft well integrated tannins add to the sustained taste. Overall an elegant complex medium weight wine with just a smidge more acid than I prefer. Likely at its peak in 2 to 3 years.

9/5/2022 - noblerot23 wrote:

2019 Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Max (Chile)
Big complex nose of violet, berry jam, oregano and cedar with a touch of smoke. A medium weight, leaner style (definitely not Max!) wine with pleasant flavours of blackberry and prune. Decent length with soft, well integrated tannins but slightly tart for my taste. Aroma definitely trumps taste in this Cab that’s more “cool climate” than cool. Although not stellar, nor for the cellar, it’s pleasantly meller for such a young feller.

8/20/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 Bodegas Bianchi Finca Las Paredes White Blend (Mendoza, Argentina)
This interesting blend of Moscato Bianco, Chardonnay and Viognier has a subdued aroma of apple and beeswax with just a hint of lychee. Nice citrus and tropical flavours that include Meyer lemon, apricot and pineapple plus a pinch of white pepper. Very slight bitterness on the finish. Crisp yet creamy. Overall, a ridiculously bargain priced versatile white with great mouthfeel and a surprisingly protracted flavour arc. Absolutely no idea how a wine of this quality can be shipped more than 10,000 km and still sell for under 8 bucks. Definitely gets my “cheap bastard” two thumbs up.

7/26/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 SpearHead Pinot Gris Golden Retreat Vineyard (Okanagan)
The honeysuckle and lime fragrance is the perfect opening act for a rainbow of flavours ranging from citrus (lime and lemon) to stone fruit (peach and apricot) and even some tropical spice (pineapple). Great balance and length. The predominant impression is crisp freshness despite the oily mouthfeel and “fat finger” pinch of residual sugar. This wine stimulates conversation AND salivary glands. Hope you a-Gris.
Food pairing:
A fair fee Gris for Brie…or serve with peri peri prawns and pool noodles.

7/10/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2021 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin (Marlborough)
My house white. Case closed (or just ripped open, as in this case). Never disappoints, any vintage. Despite 2021 being an early, dry growing season with reduced yields, this wine is a superb rendition of a very versatile varietal. We all know that Sauvignon Blanc is to New Zealand as hockey and perpetual contrition are to Canada. They really do know their stuff when handling this parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (but that’s another story).
Wonderful whiffs of white peach and pear. Clean and crisp on the palate with both tropical and citrus elements. Lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, even a squeeze of kiwi. The mouthfeel is full and viscous with flavours that linger. If you’re a fan of gooseberries, lawnmowers or cat’s pee (yes, there are websites!), you’ll need to pour elsewhere.

7/2/2022 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale (Australia)
Nothing says Happy Canada Day better than a big bruising Australian Cab. Simply unscrew the down under top. I was going to crack a Canuck Claret clone but the government appointed fact finding wine selection committee is still gathering information before releasing its conciliatory conclusions for Cabernet compromise. Anyway, after the usual lefty loosey, this deep garnet puppy streaked the glass with far more legs than dregs. Loads of black cherry and currant with mocha, pencil shavings and even a whiff of eucalyptus on the nose. A jammy, gooey, thick pour that oozes black fruit before finishing with a pinch of pepper. Great length and sophisticated balance until the afterburner kicks in (14.6% alcohol). Very user friendly for a serious heavyweight. Canada Day, eh. G’day mate.

Food pairing: No steer and beer here. Perfect match with a strip loin steak.
Suggested dinner music: Back in Black by AC/DC. Good old Black Angus needs Angus Young.

11/13/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Mud House Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
Citrusy grapefruit and melon plus a squirt of gooseberry on the nose. No “just cut” grass in this glass. Gobs of grapefruit and lime on the taste with bright and bracing acidity. The flavour arc lasts longer than the colonoscopy that followed my cocky rejection of sedation. A classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that’s friendly, fragrant, fruity and fresh. Fit for the frugal. Clear as mud.

11/9/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mapu Carménère Reserva (Chile)
A black belt in more ways than one. Blackberry, black cherry and black plum aroma and flavour. Ripe, velvety and lush. A jammy fruit bomb that’s nicely balanced with interesting tannins and great length. Definitely more New World than Old (despite the Rothschild moniker). It takes truly adept winemaking to produce such a delicious wine for such a delicious price.

11/7/2021 - noblerot23 wrote:

2016 Familia Zuccardi Fuzion Chenin/Torrontés (Mendoza, Argentina)
A somewhat tart blend of Chenin Blanc and Torrontés. Aroma of citrus and pea shoots. Loads of lemon, lime and kiwi flavour on a matrix of minerality that finishes with white pepper. Crisp and dry, definitely a wine for seafood. Not the most elegant white on the block but should squeegee any palate painlessly…and remove carpet stains too.

11/1/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Intrigue Social Red (Okanagan)
Easy sipping blend of Merlot (64%), Cabernet Franc (16.7%), Malbec (10.1%) and Syrah (9.2%). A red wine for those who don’t like red wine. Pale purple in the glass with a clean black cherry and new leather nose. Gobs of cherry, blackberry and fruitcake flavour. Definitely fruit forward with a soft, velvety, slightly tart finish. A lighter style red where oaky tannins simply weren’t invited to the party. Forget the Riedel; this wine was made for a tumbler.

10/28/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Rodney Strong Chardonnay (California)
Decent aroma of apple and toasted oak with a distant whiff of pear. Even more apple and pear on the taste with a scrape of butter too. Not the creamiest Chard in the bargain bin but still has a nice mouthfeel thanks to some soft tannins. A solid workhorse effort with in-your-face flavour that lasts longer than William Shatner was weightless. OK, this wine is about as elegant and eloquent as an elephant but for a penny pinching pensioner, it’s a lot more relevant.

10/19/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc (Similkameen Valley)
This lean and crisp blend of Sauvignon Blanc (74%) and Sémillon (26%) has a citrusy and slightly herbaceous aroma with a whiff of burnt match. The latter was more in keeping with sulfur dioxide than hydrogen sulfide and fortunately, dissipated faster than a plea for gun control in Idaho (where incidentally, a citizen would rather bear an arm for assassination than bare an arm for vaccination…but I digress). Loads of grapefruit and lemon on the palate although again, that pervasive punch of sulfur needed a sip or two before hiding behind the more tolerable funk of Sémillon. Overall, a drip dry white that, like your gym bag, benefits greatly from some airing out. Fortunately, this fun Fumé fits fine with fish (or Febreze).

9/29/2021 - noblerot23 wrote:

2018 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant (California)
This Rhone-style red blend of 52% Grenache, 35% Cinsault and 13% Syrah has an enticing aroma of kirsch, raspberry, plum and leather. A leaner more tart style than most past releases (since 1986!), probably due to the cooler vintage, but still has juicy flavours of cherry and roasted plum with a steep of back tea. The soft tannins and good length are finessed by a sense of restrained yet lush sweetness. Some progressive clouding in the glass by bottle’s end (with a residual crust of tartrates) was somewhat surprising for such a recent vintage of a popular standby. This once original and fun blend for pouring has now become a tad boring, or may just be snoring but isn’t worth storing. Overall, an inoffensive crowd pleaser, the Tom Hanks of fermented grape juice.
Note: Innovative and quirky winemaker Randall Grahm, one of California’s original Rhone Rangers, sold his majority interest in Bonny Doon Vineyard last year and has recently partnered with the E & J Gallo Wine company to produce Central Coast wines under a new label, The Language of Yes. More to come.

9/25/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 Bodega Amalaya Torrontes/Riesling (Salta, Argentina)
This blend of Torrontes (85%) and Riesling (15%) has a wonderful honeysuckle nose with some Tuscan melon, citrus and green apple. Lots of tropical notes on the taste with mango, cantaloupe and a squeeze of grapefruit. Very crisp and clean acidity, great length plus a squintingly bitter twist on the finish. Haven’t unscrewed something this interesting in a while. Would go well with mildly spiced Asian cuisine or a Speedo. Hallelujah for Amalaya.

9/19/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Sledgehammer Pinot Noir (California)
Yes, the name intrigued me. I generally like my Pinots delicate, elegant and subtle but every now and then, one must think outside the bottle. Ironically, my hernia almost popped out before the stubborn composite cork did. No pain, no gain. Nice cherry strawberry nose with a whiff of cloves. The fruit forward flavours (Cali style!) included dense cherry and plum with a surprising handful of forest floor. Great length and balance for most of the ride although things became somewhat askew when some “teabag tannins” tossed a bitter tide upon the taste tail. Hopefully, this should lessen with some aging (just like my bladder capacity will). Overall, a serious, well-intentioned, non-wimpy, gooey, chewy, slightly off kilter Pinot Noir at a bargain basement price.

9/15/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Matchbook Verdejo Tinto Rey (Central Valley, California)
My first Cali take on this workhorse white grape which usually hails from Rueda, Spain. What a marvelous surprise! Subdued yet complex aroma of lemon, lime, grass and tomato leaf. Citrus dominant flavours, particularly grapefruit. Delicious acidity and minerality (from California? really?) yet somehow manages a rounder, fuller, even viscous mouthful with a funky fab finish (time in wood has definitely cranked up the taste profile). Lingers longer than a Bruckner symphony. Perfect for fans of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio although this Verdejo’s complexity makes it even more versatile with food (try with fish tacos or Manchego cheese) and/or stimulating company that believes in vaccination.

9/13/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Devil’s Collection Red (Chile)
A devil’s trident blend of three hale berries: Syrah (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Tempranillo (3%). Sinful sniff of cherry, black currant, plum and licorice. Tempting flavours of blackberry, blueberry and plum with a naughty nib of chocolate. This satanic stew’s soft and supple tannins sate satisfyingly but still somehow finish with a pointed tail of infernal heat, more purgatorial than hellish. Definitely feels warmer than the 13.5% alcohol confessed on the label. This is a wine for datin’ and matin’ (hopefully not with Satan) so stop waitin’ and start cratin’ cause “value buy” is my ratin’.

9/4/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Conundrum White Blend (California)
User friendly mixture of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. A “marketing melange” designed for broad consumer appeal (and possibly inventory management). Intriguingly orchestrated aromatics that include apricot, apple, orange blossom and ginger. A fruit salad wine with apple flavoured Chardonnay at the fore, followed by white peach, pineapple and chamomile with a pinch of residual sugar. This eccentric but enjoyably constructed blend remains round and full on the palate. Finishes with a tinge of Viognier soapiness, but in a nice Irish Spring kind of way. Not sure the sum is better than its parts but I must admit that this conundrum is simultaneously challenging yet inoffensive. Keep the bottling line in high gear.

9/1/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Viña Falernia Elki Pinot Noir Riserva (Chile)
Pale ruby hue. The initial whiff of gun smoke and burnt rubber settled quickly to reveal some lovely cherry, pomegranate and herbaceous mint. Lots of cherry and raspberry in the taste with good length and mouthfeel despite tannins that have not yet fully softened. A surprisingly elegant and deftly made, medium weight wine that will offer far more dinner conversation than your average teenager. Truly BIG flavour for a very small bill. Anyone that can produce a decent bottle of Pinot Noir for the same price as a cheap pizza (vs. that Burgundian stuff with initials RC that will cost you almost as much as a Hyundai) deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

8/26/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir (Napa Valley, California)
A pale garnet wine that packs a surprising ton of taste. Spicy fruit nose full of cherry and strawberry plus a pinch of cinnamon and cloves. Loads of cherry and spice on the palate too with a curvy backbone of soft French oak. The flood of flavour is long and lingering. An easy drinking, fruit forward Cali-style iteration of the “Heartbreak Grape.” This Pinot’s built more for pleasure than punditry. Unbelievably bargain priced at $9.99 in the USA. Slightly more in Canada but sadly, only available at Costco Liquor outlets in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

8/17/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Dirty Laundry Pinot Gris (Okanagan)
“Collar stain” yellow in the glass. Enticing aroma of citrus zest, orange blossom and Asian pear with a hint of Ocean Surf Speed Stick, particularly prominent during the spin cycle. This Dirty Laundry certainly didn’t need airing out. Fresh and crisp anagrammatic flavours of lemon and melon with a taper of bitter ginger. Acidic in a nice way, just like Don Rickles. A wine for food so why not whine for food. Perfect for rinsing and/or dry cleaning the palate between bites.

8/13/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2017 Maverick Rubeus (Okanagan)
This deep ruby blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon was named after the river Rubicon, the point of no return for Julius Caesar in 49 BC. Amazingly complex aroma of blackberry, cherry, fruitcake, vanilla and cedar. Wondrously anti-wimpy flavours of blackberry, prune, coffee and tar with a hint of smoke. The taste curve is dense and long with gripping yet well integrated tannins. Definitely a warm climate style that’s fruit forward with higher alcohol (@14.5%) and hence, finishes a tad hot on the palate. Overall, a big and bold bruiser, slightly rough around the edges, yet likeable in all the right ways. Think Arnold Schwarzenegger with aging potential. Solid value.

8/8/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 Unsworth Pinot Gris (Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island)
A cool climate citrusy dry version of this chameleon grape. Full on lime nose with a distant burp of pear. Laser lemon lime taste streaked with grapefruit. Crisp as a cracker with pucker length that lingers. The tartness is perfect for pressure washing the palate between bites. Moister than an oyster so start shucking and shovelling.

8/4/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Casa Vinicola Botter Gran Passione Rosso (Veneto)
This Merlot/Corvina blend from Amarone country has a lovely plum, cherry, and cedar aroma. The taste is full on jammy cherry with vanilla tones. Round, full-bodied, almost sweet with substantial length although a midsection that’s somewhat flabby (Fun fact: my partner has described me with these exact words!). The long finish features soft tannins but firm alcohol (14%). A bargain bottle that would competently complement most barbecued beasts.

7/30/2021 - noblerot23 wrote:

2020 Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand)
Predominant lemon lime nose with some green bell pepper and grass. Citrus heavy flavours with a squeeze of white peach. This Sauv Blanc certainly tastes better than plonk but could use a bit more flesh so all parts can mesh. Overall, a lean clean quaff with good length that’s just a smidge too acidic. The rather tart finish takes too long to diminish. Less is usually more unless it puckers your core. Still, there’s some summer fun in this sunny Babich (enunciate those last two words carefully!).

7/25/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Wild Goose Pinot Gris (Okanagan)
Elegant, ethereal and nuanced are all adjectives that I would NOT use for this wine. More like being hit in the head by an orbiting can of fruit cocktail…and thoroughly enjoying the experience (after regaining consciousness). Big sunny aromas of peach, melon and Asian pear. Gobs of yellow apple, pineapple, nectarine and peach flavours that bomb the palate. Tropical, velvety, viscous and round with a crisp and fresh finish. Equally super as a sipper or with supper. This full-on Gris is a go-to for me since it’s like an old shoe that fits one’s face too.

7/22/2021 - noblerot23 wrote:

2008 Bodegas Navalon Tempranillo Valdepeñas Anciano Gran Reserva Aged 10 years (Spain)
Mixed aroma of cherry, raisin, chocolate and bay leaf. The taste is fruit forward with lots of sour cherry, blueberry and a dash of vanilla. Tannins are soft and hiding in the back row behind a slightly tart finish. Definitely a lighter style iteration of this medium-bodied grape—like hiring a Tempranillo temp. Although all the basics are covered, it’s definitely not the full meal deal. Truth be told, this wine that comes wrapped in gold is fairly sold but marketed old and doesn’t taste bold.

7/11/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner vom Haus (Austria)
Clean nose of green pear, mango and lemon zest. Flavours of pear, apple and citrus that finish with a touch of smoky bitterness and white pepper. Crisp and dry yet unctuous with an oily mouthfeel. A very tasty “house wine” that’s more of a food wine than a mood wine. Would make even Yoda yodel.

7/7/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 Spearhead Pinot Noir Club Consensus (Okanagan)
Despite being a blend of mainly Burgundian clones, this wine is steeped in New World terroir. Intriguing aroma of cherry, raspberry, cola and pepper. No barnyard here. Complex taste of cherry, cranberry and spice with great length. Slightly tart finish that’s more refreshing than depressing. A serious Pinot that’s also a versatile vino. Would work well with seafood that doesn’t smell like fish, most land based animals and any vegetables that don’t feel pain.

7/5/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 La Frenz “Riesling 21B” Freedom 75 Vineyard (Naramata, Okanagan)
A delicious Riesling clone (Geisenheim 21B) that likes BC as much as I do. Lovely aroma of green apple with a dash of white pepper and distant hint of petroleum (no planets were drilled to make this scent). Lots of lime zest, green apple, grapefruit and pear on the palate. Rich and round with great acid and length. Just a touch of residual sugar to soften the tartness. A glass would definitely count as one Food Guide serving of fruit.

7/3/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2020 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand)
Wonderful nose of lemon, lime and white peach. Lovely citrus flavours with a squeeze of passion fruit. Slick and slimy in a good way with beautiful balance and length. Crisper than an April morning. Taste that’s roaring, never boring, begs for pouring. Time for a kiwi three-way (unscrew, pour, drink).

6/15/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere/Syrah Organic (Chile)
Stiff whiff of black plum, cherry, chocolate and licorice. Major fruit on the palate with plum, blackberry and pomegranate. Medium weight with a tiny tinge of tartness yet solid and soft with good length. A mellow monster in a bargain bottle. This vegan wine pairs well with most meat. Does “organic” mean it could affect an organ such as the liver?

5/20/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser (Okanagan)
This Riesling relative with the mouthful moniker (but still catchier than its aka “Geisenheim 9-93”) loves the Okanagan. A solid value rendition here. Somewhat subdued nose of honeysuckle. Nice tropical tone, bursting with grapefruit, star fruit and a twist of lime. Off dry with good acid and decent length. Certainly well made but missing that elusive wow factor. More of a sipper wine than a supper wine.

5/14/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2019 Santa Julia Malbec Reserva (Mendoza, Argentina)
Deep purple with a rich aroma of black cherry and plum. Tastes young and fruity with a lick of soft tannin, a pinch of spice and a drop of vanilla. Refreshing “high elevation” acidity with good length although slightly hot on the finish (14.5% alcohol). Exceptional value. A solid jam jar wine, made more for drinking than thinking. Just needs a lighter, some firewood and a sedated steer.

5/5/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2015 Stoneboat Pinotage Rock Opera Reserve (Okanagan)
Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut that was created in South Africa almost a century ago. Although easy to grow with good colour and hefty tannins, it can sometimes come off a tad vacuous. This impressive Canadian iteration is dark ruby in the glass. Lovely aroma of cherry syrup and black licorice. Loads of black cherry and blackberry flavours with a dash of smokiness and menthol. Fortunately, no nail polish remover or burnt tar here. Think cherry cough drops crammed into a leather lined cigar box that used to contain smoked bacon. Despite solid tannins that should soften in 2 or 3 years, the overall impression is one of understated elegance with great length and subtle complexity. Also a very versatile food wine that beckons beyond basic barbecued beasts.

4/28/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2018 La Frenz Reserve Chardonnay (Okanagan)
Wonderful nose of toffee, apple and peach. Big legs. Soft fruit flavours of apple, pineapple and pear with so much more. Creamy and unctuous with a tinge of sweetness on the finish. Nicely integrated oak. The back label describes a “Burgundian style” but this wine’s passport (remember those?) has New World stamped on every page. A hefty yet elegant interpretation of this traditional variety.

4/24/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

2004 Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Meritage (Okanagan)
This mature, Merlot dominant Bordeaux blend is deep ruby and still fresh. Complex aroma of black cherry, chocolate, wet concrete and tar. Chewy and chunky in the chalice with loads of cherry and chocolate plus some charcoal and chaps. A choreographed cast of contrasting elements that somehow plays well together. The taste is expansive yet focused. Tannins are assertive yet harmonious. Bottle was full, now it’s empty. Some serious ink that will make you think while you drink (wink, wink).

4/11/2021 - noblerot23 Likes this wine:

1996 Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc (Okanagan)
Medium garnet. Intriguing nose of black currant, sour cherry and licorice. The initial acidic sharpness on the palate is blunted somewhat by moderate fruit, soft tannins and decent length. Red plum and sour cherry flavours are present but tired. Tastes hotter than the noted 12.5% alcohol. Overall, a medium weight, slightly tart (typical for this varietal) yet still focused wine that’s not as elegant as it once was. A tad over the hill at the quarter century mark (just being frank about this Franc) but nevertheless interesting.