Odds are if you are at the end of the world conditions could be such one cares more about surviving than drinking an excellent wine? I have been to the end of the world in Portugal but not in Argentinian Patagonia. In a fancy, possibly gimmicky and monstrously heavy bottle, we have a blend of… Read More RKS 2024 Wine: An Argentinian Red Blend from the End of the World
The wine is from the Colchagua Valley in Chile which has evolved in the last 15 years from a quiet stretch of farmland into one of Chile’s largest and most active wine-producing wine regions. The relatively low elevation of the coastal hills allows the Pacific breezes to interplay with the Andean winds extending the region’s… Read More RKS 2024 Wine: Puente Austral Reserva Privada 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
In Canada in terms of American Cabernet Sauvignon we are hostage to California Cabernet Sauvignons. I am sure Texas produces some notable Cabernet Sauvignons but timid buyers for our state liquor monopoly the Liquor Control Board of Ontario would rather sell their mother than look to Texas or 48 other states for American wine. My… Read More RKS 2024 Wine: Hostage to Cali Cabernet Sauvignons
Merlot as a single varietal wine has a bleak future in Ontario. But blend it with Ontario wunderkid Cabernet Franc and lackluster Cabernet Sauvignon and you can consistently have a great Ontario Meritage in both Niagara and Lake Erie North Shore. Sometimes the sum can outshine some of the parts. For example, the Queen Bee… Read More RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Ontario Merlot Redemption Meets Dale Carnegie
The pundits say 2020 was a good vintage year for red Bordeaux wines. This does not mean you fall hook line and sinker for every 2020 that comes your way. Who is behind the juice is perhaps most important. Not all wineries are created equal. One should ask when the grapes were picked. What were… Read More RKS 2024 Wine: So What if 2020 Was a Good Red Bordeaux Vintage?
Hopefully wine drinkers are not swayed by a “Gold Medal” seal and a 92 James Suckling seal on the bottle of the Knappstein Clare Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon. There is nothing inscribed on the “Gold Medal” seal to indicate who issued it. Could it be from some children’s colouring book? As for a jamessuckling.com 92… Read More RKS 2023 Wine: We Aren’t Impressed by That Gold Medal Seal and a 92 jamessuckling.com or are We?
I think there won’t be much hooting and booing when I say Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aren’t exactly two of Ontario’s great grapes unless under the cover of “terroir” you bless their weakness by stating they have a distinct Ontario imparted quality to them. Bah Humbug says me the Wine Scrooge. On the other hand… Read More RKS 2023 Wine: Trius Red “The Icon”: The Strong Man and The Two 99 Pound Weaklings
(TORONTO, ON) – Kendall-Jackson certainly is not shy about getting its name and product some exposure in the Ontario marketplace. They have retained PR firm The Siren Group to tout its wines and make them available to wine writers for review. In fact, less than six hours after I expressed an interest in reviewing this… Read More Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 2014
Set the Bar 