winingwithmel

Clos Malverne Le Café Pinotage 2012, Wo Coastal Region

The dark-ruby coloured wine is everything it promises to be: heavy on the coffee aromas and flavours. There is also chocolate, leather, earthy components, and might I say some barnyard and gaminess. That lingering coffee finish lasts a while. Pairs surprisingly well with stinky cheeses like camembert and chocolate-based desserts.

Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2013, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley

July 16th, 2016
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H3 stands for Horse Heaven Hills, the AVA (i.e. appellation) where wild horses used to roam freely. The Valley’s drought-like conditions and extreme sun exposure toughen up the merlot grape, so that it grows a thicker skin, making for a bigger wine. This merlot has ripe fruit and chocolate as well as firm tannins to balance it out, plus a tinge of cedar and mint. YUM. Get the whole story at http://winingwithmel.com/2016/07/08/focus-on-washington-wines/

Treana Chardonnay 2014, Central Coast

This chard shows a lovely rich yellow hue. It is full-bodied at 14.5% alcohol, and effuses buttery caramel, vanilla, banana, tropical fruit and peach on both the nose and the palate. Pair this with creamy casseroles, chicken cordon bleu or a long overdue catch-up with an old friend.

Revolution Red, California

This deep purply red wine smells of berry jam, vanilla and spice. This lip-smacking Californian blend is super juicy and reminiscent of a zinfandel. Very low tannins and flavours of plum, ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry, vanilla and sweet spice, with a medium-long finish. Nothing overly complex here, just easy drinking.

Open Smooth White 2013

Pale-medium yellow, with a very strong aroma including citrus, floral aspects, a bit of tropical fruit and lot of plastic/vinyl, that telltale characteristic of a riesling (in this case blended with vidal). Nice round, lush body. More peachy notes on the palate, as well as lemon, and still that riesling vinyl taste. An easy-drinking wine on its own or with appetizers like paté and crackers.

Get the whole story at http://winingwithmel.com/2016/01/23/testing-the-lcbos-customer-favourites-part-2/

The Wanted Zin Zinfandel 2014, Igt Puglia

Very sweet American-style zinfandel trying to appeal to the North American market. Lots of dried fruit and sweet spice. Perfect pairing for pulled pork!