Recent tastings...just in time for Christmas (Dec 12th, 2008)

Christmas Greetings Everyone...

A number of selections here for you to have a look at. All of them will serve you well over the Christmas season. I have added some additional wine suggestions in the remarks section under each wine. I have not tried all of those...but have them there on good authority.

Be sure to shop early as I find the selection gets a little thin as we get closer to Christmas week...

I have posted my most recent wine picks on my facebook page and have started a blog site, which you can find it at www.winerush.blogspot.com

Now on to the wines...

WINGNUT ZINFANDEL 2006, CALIFORNIA

Price: $19 Available at Everything Wine...

UPC: 894509005105

Score: 88/100 (for the '05 vintage)

Remarks: Good solid fruity earthy Zin for the money and well-balanced. We had this the other weekend with friends from the Difference Engine. As a pre-dinner aperitif with with crackers and strong cheese...it was delicious.

A couple of other zinfandel suggestions: Painter Bridge (about $14); Shenandoah an organic wine (about $20); Cline (about $20); 7 Deadly Zins (about $27), all from California, and all readily available in BC.

Some other red varietals that may interest you: Santa Rita Reserva Pinot Noir, from Chile ($15); perfect for your Christmas Turkey, Finca Los Primos Malbec from Argentina ($10); LoTengo Malbec from Argentina ($14); Jean Bousquet Malbec (organic grapes) from Argentina ($17); Espelt Saulo Garnacha from Spain ($15).

BLUE NUN RIESLING 2007, RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY

Price: $11

UPC: 4022025390030

Score: 87/100 and 89/100 from Wine Access

Remarks: Perfect for take-out Thai or Chinese. This is a category champion from the recent Wine Access Magazine's International Value Wine Awards. 'This wine has terrific varietal character and the Germanic hallmark of precisely balanced fruity ac

idity. Expressive lemon-lime and peach fruit punctuated by jazzy acid for a cleansing finish, this Riesling punches well above its weight'. A delicious pre-dinner wine.

Some other suggestions in this type of wine: Cono Sur Gewürztraminer from Chile ($11); Villa Maria Riesling from New Zealand($16); Cedar Creek Gewürztraminer from BC, ($18). Some other cool aromatic whites that may interest you; Castillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc (Castle of the Devil), from Chile ($13); Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva from Chile ($12); Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards from BC, ($16).

ANAKENA VIOGNIER 2007, CHILE
Price: $15.95

UPC: 07809539100006
Score: 88/100 (for the '06 vintage)
'This is quintessential cool-climate New World Viognier from Chile’s Rapel Valley. Love the ginger melon mineral nose, the dry palate with mineral honey pink grapefruit notes and the general vibrancy of this wine'. We had this the other night with friends...it paired deliciously with BBQ pork. We also had this last year with our Christmas turkey and it was fabulous. A couple of other Viognier's for you to look for: Yalumba Y Series from Australia ($18), Clay Station from California ($20), Cono Sur Limited Reserve from Chile ($11).

J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2006

Price: $23.00 over my limit...but what the heck

UPC: 089121288122

Score: 88/100 (for the '05 vintage) 88/100 for the '06 vintage from wine access

Remarks: This one is for Randy...who has been known to ask why I never review cabs. This is also a category champion from the wine access awards. 'With beautifully designed fruity aromas on the nose, devoid of either over-maturity or herbaceous notes on the palette, this generous and fleshy wine offers plenty of red fruits wrapped with an elegant touch of oak. Harmonious yet well structured, you can drink it now or easily hold 3 to 4 years'. We had this the other night with one of my brothers and family with beef bourguignon...delicious.

Some other cabs you may want to check out this holiday season are: Galil Mountain from Israel ($18); Finca Los Primos from Argentina ($10); Columbia Crest from Washington State ($16) and Jean Bousquet from Argentina ($16).

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2005, CALIFORNIA

Price: $18

UPC: 00089636190002

Score: 88/100

Remarks: 'Morning Fog is a good example of the new California chardonnay. It has all the ripeness, honey and spicy tropical fruit notes but with much better acidity and verve. The flavours are fresh and clean with a nutty citrus green apple finish. An affordable fun white wine that will have broad appeal'. We have enjoyed this Chardonnay often, most recently at one of our nieces 21st birthday party.

A few others to complete your list: Castillero del Diablo (Castle of the Devil), which an in house favourite, from Chile ($13); Cono Sur also from Chile ($14.50); and east across the Andes is Alamos Chardonnay from Argentina ($15).

Merry Christmas to all of you and Best Wishes for the New Year...

Keith

Three wines to try (Dec 2nd, 2008)

Good evening folks,

First of all, welcome to all the new folks on the list.

Below you will find another interesting variety of choices to try. There is even one from France.

DOURTHE NO 1 SAUVIGNON BLANC 20TH ANNIVERSARY 2007, BORDEAUX, FRANCE

Price: $18

UPC: 3258691241067

Score: 88/100

Remarks: The Dourthe No 1 Sauvignon Blanc 20th Anniversary 2007 is from Bordeaux France. This wine is cool, calm and sophisticated. We enjoyed this as a pre-dinner drink with snacks. Even my resident 'Chardonnay only girl' loved this wine. It goes well with grilled chicken or fish dishes. It was a bit of a challenge to find...eventually found it in Nanaimo...worth the effort...enjoy.

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CEDARCREEK CLASSIC SERIES MERLOT 2006, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Price: $20

UPC: 7789130365538

Score: 88/100

Remarks: This is a delicious, well-made merlot. Goes well with almost any meat dinner, and is good just by itself. A readily available BC wine.

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KAIKEN MALBEC 2007, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Price: $18.99 at Everything Wine in North Vancouver

UPC: 715126550012

Score: 89/100 (for the '06 vintage)

Remarks: I looked for the '06 vintage for a long time...and had to settle for the '07. We had it the other night with relatives. Rich, savoury and elegant flavours went well with our chicken dinner.

Enjoy

Keith

Three red wines...for a change (Nov 8th, 2008)

Good morning...

After the last few predominantly white wine choices, it is time for some red wine...All three have been taste tested and offer an interesting array of prices and grapes. Some of you may have seen these before in previous editions. For additional comments on each of the wines, please see the remarks under each label.

Canada's Wine Access Magazine has just released its Guide to the 'Best Wines under $25'...So over the next few months expect to see some suggestions from that remarkable exercise. The judges looked at 1050 different wines from around the world that are available in Canada. The winners are separated into various categories like 'the top 25 killer values, top reds and whites under $15, and then are categorized by varieties. All very interesting and more to come later...

Finca Flichman Malbec, Oak Aged 2007, Mendoza, Argentina

Price: $10

UPC: 7790470080222

Score: 86/100

Remarks: The best of recent vintages. A great tasting inexpensive red that you can serve liberally around the BBQ, and it goes well with pizza, chicken or spaghetti. Ellen, who unfortunately red wine does not agree with, likes this Malbec. If you are looking to give it an even more mature flavour try decanting or splashing (take a little out of the bottle, put the cork back in and shake vigorously) it prior to drinking.

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2007, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price: $11

UPC: 7804320753454

Score: 86/100

Remarks: A great value Pinot Noir at an affordable price. Look for a spicy earthy forest floor nose with bits of liquorice root and pepper. Expect a tart, black cherry fruit flavour mid-palate with more spice and mushroom in the finish. It is readily available in BC and I even saw a few bottles in the States. We tried this with BBQ chicken, and worked well.

Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2007, Coastal Region, South Africa

Price: $18

UPC: 746925000786

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Fresh, round, supple palate with smoked meat and cherry jam flavours. This is consistently a very good wine and is now under a screw cap, which will add to its reliability. A great wine to take to dinner invitation...

Nice buck outside of our carport at Thetis...

Thanks again to all of you who send me a note back...I really appreciate it.

Keith

Chardonnay...(Oct 30th, 2008)

Good Evening...

My apologies for the lack of activity over the last little while. Ellen and I have just returned from three weeks in California. We drove down the Oregon and northern California coast to attend the Elevate Film Festival in Los Angeles, which was an incredible experience. On our way back we had a week of meetings in Ojai, and then drove up through the wine country of Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Napa. Along the way we had a great visit with dear friends and enjoyed a fabulous bottle (or two) of Turley Zinfandel (Thanks Chris and Sharon). More on the Zin in a subsequent note...The whole trip was a thoroughly memorable experience...

So, on to the wines...It is a bit of an international trio, and a full range of prices...All of these have been approved by my resident chardonnay critic. Please see some additional remarks under each label.

CONO SUR CHARDONNAY 2007, CHILE

Price: $14.50

UPC: 7804320242699

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Excellent finesse, light, zesty and killer value...This is a vineyard in transition to organic agriculture, which will please many our organically minded recipients.

RODNEY STRONG CHARDONNAY CHALK HILL 2006, SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Price: $23 (over my limit, but well worth it)

UPC: 087512923256

Score: 91/100

Remarks: Consistent and good value, and delicious. It made it into the Wine Access magazines International Value Wine Awards (IVWA) for the best wines sold in Canada under $25. During our tour of California, I noticed that this was readily available...for all of our US friends.

MISSION HILL CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2006, OKANAGAN VALLEY

Price: $20

UPC: 00776545995780

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Buttery, tangerine, pineapple, vanilla, grapefruit rind flavours. A great BC Chardonnay that is readily available.

I really enjoy receiving comments and feedback from you folks...so keep them coming.

If you know of anyone who would like to be included, just let me know and I can add them. The more the merrier...

Enjoy...

Keith

Ellen in Calistoga

A visit with St. Hallett's Senior Winemaker Stuart Blackwell, and three wines to try (Sep 20th, 2008)

Good afternoon folks,

On a recent trip to Vancouver, Ellen and I attended a wine tasting at Everything Wine in North Vancouver. The event featured wine of the Australian winery St. Hallett. The bonus of this evening was the presence of St. Hallett's Senior Winemaker, Stuart Blackwell. It was the end of a long day for him, and he was able to spend some real quality time with us on some of the nuances of the Poacher's Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (which is a real favourite of mine). How well it goes with Thai food for example and how they are working towards lowering the alcohol content, as well as the fact that it contains a small proportion of Riesling...that gives it an unusual twist, with a crisp citrus finish. Thanks again Stuart for your kind attention...and for signing our bottle!!!

Now to the wines...both of the St Hallett wines were taste tested at the Everything Wine event.

As mentioned the Poacher's Blend Semillon Sauvignon is a real favourite of mine. It goes well with almost any kind of food, and is particularly good with appetizers and as mentioned Thai food. It is widely available, in BC. (86/100, $14.50)

St. Hallett Poacher’s Blend Semillon Sauvignon 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Produced By: St. Hallett Wines
Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants
Score: 86/100
Price: $14.50
Grassy, spicy, ginger, melon rind, fig, grapefruit, jalapeno aromas. Fresh, round, crisp, slightly sweet entry and lighter style. Grapefruit rind, grassy, butter, gooseberry, ginger flavours. Easy going food style.
UPC: 9316920000329
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Every Poacher needs a Gamekeeper. The Gamekeeper's Reserve is packed with Shiraz and Grenache, and includes a tiny portion of Touriga Nacional, which gives it its spicy finish. Goes well with tapas or chorizo. Also widely available in BC. (87/100, $14.50)



St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Reserve 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Produced By: St. Hallett Wines
Distributed By: Select Wine Merchants
Score: 87/100
Price: $14.50
Warm spicy earthy tea aromas with bits of black fruit and raspberry. The entry is warm and soft with pronounced acidity throughout. The flavours combine blueberries, liquorice root and smoky, lifted black raspberry notes. Simple straight ahead red wine.
UPC: 9316920000077

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We really enjoyed the Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc (once we found it at Everything Wine in North Vancouver).
Had it with appetizers on the beach, celebrating our girls 22nd birthday...September 17th...
Seaglass, which we call beachglass holds a special place of honour in our household!

SeaGlass 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Barbara, California
Score: B+ (from the wine guys)
Price: $17.99 available at Everything Wine
Grapefruit and tropical notes jump aromatically out of the glass.
Great texture and character, all bottled up with a classy label.
With a screw cap to ensure consistency.
Code: 783241

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Enjoy...

Best Regards

Keith

I am always interested to get your feedback...Thanks.



September 15th full moon set over Ladysmith, taken from Thetis Island...

BC Pinot Gris/Grigio...and a Gewurzt (Sep 5th, 2008)

Greetings...

First of all, welcome to all of the new folks on the list, and thank you to all who gave me an update on your personal lives and your wine preferences. I am really excited to have you on board. Next, my apologies to all of my American and International friends who will have a little harder time finding these BC wines.

Now to the wines...As summer has returned to BC, I wanted to get this out in time for you to enjoy one of these over the weekend.

I must admit I had a hard time finding the Herder Pinot Gris 2007. I finally found it at the Beverley Corners Liquor Store in Duncan. It was worth the effort. A delicious before dinner wine that we enjoyed with snacks on the deck. The honey lemon citrus aromas and flavours really come through. (89/100, $19)

HERDER PINOT GRIS 2007, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Price: $19

UPC: 814372000304

Score: 89/100

Remarks: Fresh lip-smacking style. Very well done.

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The Sandhill Pinot Gris King Valley Family Vineyard 2007, is, from I can see readily available in BC. This is a delicious fresh and lively wine. The green apple skins and citrus notes are evident front to back. Another great summer sipper. (88/100, $18)

SANDHILL PINOT GRIS KING FAMILY VINEYARD 2007, OKANAGAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Price: $18

UPC: 00058976500048

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Grassy, nutty, lemon-lime palate that persists from front to back.

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I first tried the Gray Monk Gewürztraminer last year and was so impressed with it that I thought I would give the 2007 vintage a go this year. This vintage may not quite be up to the '06 version, but is still a delightful effort. It was fabulous with crackers and cheese, and fresh cherry (Sweet Million) tomatoes from the garden.

Gray Monk Gewürztraminer 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Score: 86/100

Prices: BC $16.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Spicy, floral, green apple, grapefruit, fruit salad nose.

Fresh, round, light bodied style with some sweetness but decent acidity.

Grapefruit, peach skin, floral, spicy, green apple flavours. Easy going, fresh patio sipper for the summer.
UPC: 778829117093

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Enjoy your weekend...and I really appreciate any feedback or comments you may have.

Fond Regards

Keith

If you want to be taken off my list, just send me a quick email...

Super Sauvignon's and a Rosé (Aug 29th, 2008)

Greetings Folks,

I hope you are all having a great summer...

Well, I am trying a little different approach to the whole label thing...or 'thang' as Robb says. I have taken photo's of the tested labels and inserted them my email document. I am hoping that this will be easier for you all to take with you when you are shopping for that special bottle of wine. Also, the email size will be smaller...

Both sauvignon's were thoroughly tested over the summer with a bunch of friends and family at Thetis. Both are produced by Vina Santa Rita and are very good value.

The Espelt Corali Rosé was a big hit with a wide variety of folks. The girls loved it as did friends of ours that have recently purchased a place on Thetis and were the unsuspecting co-testers. Goes great with smoked salmon, hummus, or what ever you are eating at the time...readily available on Vancouver Island as well.

SANTA RITA SAUVIGNON BLANC 120 2007, VALLE DEL LONTUE, VALLE DEL MAULE, CHILE

Price: $11

UPC: 89419007091

Score: 86/100

Remarks: Well-made, affordable modern sauvignon and under a screw cap...

88/100 Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2007
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Produced By: Viña Santa Rita
The Santa Rita Reserva is consistently well made now with its grapefruit and cassis aromas and flavours. A true Casablanca style that makes you think New Zealand thanks to the ripe fruit, the gooseberry undercurrent and the leafy finish. Grilled prawns and a very reasonable price make this a winner.
Last Tasted: 2008-07-01 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $12.80, BC $15.00; MB $11.92; ON $12.45
UPC: 089419007138

ESPELT CORALI ROSE 2007, EMPORDE, CATALUNYA, SPAIN

Price: $16

UPC: 00805109445017

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Wow! Once you taste it, you will want another glass and another and ....

I would appreciate any feedback that you may have on the format.

Enjoy...

Keith