Article 24
Old FrancChinon 1996, Clos de l'Olive, Couly-DutheilRemarkably youthful. On opening it tries to say too much at once, having been bottled up for over a decade. But the aromatics were staggering from...
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Newer FrancChinon 2006, l'Huisserie, Domaine Philippe Alliet Next to Joguet's Chene Vert is Alliet's new baby vineyard, filled with young vines. For you fans of Alliet, this is just plain weird- very...
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The Science of SmellDear Caveman:When I read your wine descriptions, I find intriguing expressions such as: “Smells like a Mediterranean-style vegetarian pizza. Sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and...
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My Sweet Clemence-wineDevoté of Michel Rolland, Dauriac's Clemence has garnered a reputation as one of the better 'new' properties in Pomerol. I love to hate what Rolland does, and usually I find good...
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Can't hold the sulphites?There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding organics and wine, and especially about the role of sulphites in organic wine. But why are they there? Are they dangerous? If so,...
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Scallop EntréeJasnières 2004, Calligramme, Domaine de BellivièreRed apples and green grapes, just starting to brown, giving the fruit an aromatic sweetness, but it is very dry the mouth. Around halfway...
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Veal ChopBandol 2000, Château PradeuxShitake-infused purple fruit with a distant bouquet of dried garden herbs. Dark, gaining intensity and power as it opens up. Tender tannins, enough to give...
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Hey dude, that wine stinks!I vividly remember the first Château Pradeaux I tasted. This mourvèdre-based red from the region of Bandol in France's Provence had the distinct odour of a horse-filled barn....
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MenciaBierzo 2005, PittacumThis is either a powerful wine that drinks delicate, or the other way around. Whatever it is, it is mineral, there are olives, a hearty earthy component, and lots of...
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Two GreekVin de Pays de Tégéa 2005, Cabernet/Merlot, Domaine TseleposA bouquet of the sweetest, floral and prettiest part of the plum, cherry and cassis, with a touch of spinach-type greens in the...
View ArticleArticle 14
Cahors 2005, Le Combal, Cosse Maisonneuve Big Cahors, authentic and made for the hunter-gatherer in you, with black licorice and meat. There is some animal that is "pheasanting" in the bottle, covered...
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Madiran 2002, Vieilles Vignes, Château BouscasséSeven years of age, and the oak and tannin are still slowly integrating into the whole, but this is already a pleasure to drink. It's heading towards...
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Duck, duck, mooseI attended a tasting maybe five years ago of wines from the southwest of France. After an hour or so of tasting the reds, my gums started to ache, my teeth were purple and my mouth was...
View ArticleArticle 11
Growing PainsChablis 1er Cru 2005, Vaillons, Domaine Bernard DefaixSweet almonds with a dusting of "piment d'Espelette” and a squeeze of lemon juice. The intense minerality that I tasted last year is...
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Bloody WineGaillac 2004, Renaissance, Domaine RotierAn interesting wine to watch as it morphed from a pretty and delicate fruitiness to this raw piece of meat. Huh? Act 1 - It starts with ripe red...
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Dinner with Lou, Early SpringAperoFleurie 2006, Yvon MétrasBizarre nose of beet juice and cabbage leaf, infused with geraniums. The fruit is there, it is a Beaujolais after all. The fruit is red, a bit...
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The '76 Wynns!Cabernet Sauvignon 1957, Coonawarra Estate, WynnsTried two bottles with both showing definite signs of getting tired with life. Tannins have almost disappeared, but there is still just...
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Birthday MealMarsannay 2002, Saint-Jacques, Pinot Blanc, Fougeray de BeauclairAged, expensive wood and caramel. Apple cider with unsweetened brown sugar. All the signs of oxidization were on the nose,...
View ArticleDay 1 - The Wine Trip
Yes, I have a pretty good job. I get to taste lots of wine, but the best part is the opportunity to travel the world’s wine regions. Being on the ground is essential to understanding more profoundly...
View ArticlePatience (forgetfulness) is rewarded
Corse Figari 2010, Clos Canarelli France red, $36.50, SAQ # 11794521It took two days so lazy folks move on. Opened it Saturday, poured a glass, had that reductive stink of a rodent's hovel. Put the...
View ArticleThe dry dam ain't dry, damn
Riesling 2011, The Dry Dam, Fleurieu Peninsula, D'ArenbergAustralia white, $18.95, SAQ # 1115788Drunk cold, it's great, but hides the slight imbalance. As it warms, the minerality shows, but the sugar...
View ArticleAlsace and Biodynamics
Understanding Biodynamics in Alsaceby bill zacharkiw I was chatting with wine maker André Ostertag next to his vegetable garden in his vineyard in Epfig. We were discussing how his vision of...
View ArticleDoesn't really quench, but satisfies
Taburno 2011, Falanghina Del Sannio, Fattoria La RivoltaItaly white, $19.25, SAQ # 11451851Leaner than last vintage. Lemony, and add some pear juice as well. That’s the extra bit of body right there....
View ArticleThe search for summery wines
I get asked a lot for wine suggestions. Here’s a conversation that I had a few weeks back with a good friend. Carrie: Bill, there’s a sale at the SAQ this weekend and we want to buy a few cases of...
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After “somewhereness” comes “soulfullness” A few weeks back, I was speaking at a fund raiser and towards the end of my speech, I asked people to do two things when shopping for wines - give special...
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