Casa Castillo 2011 El Molar.

El Molar Casa Castillo 2011, Susanne’s Wine Pick

El Molar Casa Castillo 2011

El Molar Casa Castillo 2011

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

El Molar Casa Castillo 2011

Over the Easter weekend we had the opportunity to taste a number of wines from all over the map. However,there were a couple of standouts in particular and I believe both of our wine picks today come from Spain.

So my choice today comes from the DO Jumilla,which is situated in southeastern Spain in the northern part of the Murcia region. Spain actually is really enjoying a bit of a renaissance, producing awesome wines and getting well deserved recognition including the DO Jumilla.

So my wine pick is the Casa Castillo 2011 El Molar. Made with 100% Garnacha from the Jumilla region. Despite clocking a 15% alcohol content, it was so well balanced, had beautiful red fruit on the nose, a hint of oak , softer tannins but still with a little bite. It went really well with all the foods on the table. I really enjoyed this wine

A good buy at $17.95 in our market

Listen to my review at 3:19 minutes into the radio show.

BRAND NEW SHOWS every Monday at 10:00 am and Wednesday at 2:00 pm or listen ON DEMAND on line anytime.

This week’s episode….Episode #20  (WL-04-12-2015)

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo May 5th,2015

The Wine Ladies in Spain for a wine, culinary and cultural tour!

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

 With Malbec World Day just around the corner all eyes of the wine world will be turned to Argentina.

Although, Malbec did put Argentina on the world wine map, they are also known for many other grape varieties as well. Including one of my faves, Cabernet Sauvignon. My wine pick this week in celebration is the Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Produced  by Fabre Montmayou Winery & Vineyards from the fruit of 30 year old vines.One of his missions of the owner and winemaker Hervé Fabre to only purchase or use grapes from older vineyards.

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

These grapes come from the Lujan de Cuyo region.

This wine is 100% cab and 40% of it spends a full 12 months in French oak barrels as well.This wine has a tremendously enticing aroma of blackberries and cassis but also hints of leather and on the palate it is juicy and fruity, full bodied and soft silky tannins with a long finish. Tremendous value….wait for it… $16.95

LCBO Vintages 261891 – $17.95 per bottle.

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Hervé & Diane Joyaux Fabre

For this wine review

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 6:20 minutes into the show.

Episode #19 (WL 03-30-2015) Grape stomping mad about Malbec and Malbec World Day, April 17th, 2015

On this week’s radio show…We are grape stomping mad about Malbec and Malbec World Day…. April 17th, 2015!

Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2011, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Schramsberg Rosé Brut Methode Traditionelle 2011

Schramsberg Rosé Brut

On our recent trip to Las Vegas we discovered our latest Fabulous Finds For Foodies. The restaurant is Aureole, located in the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort.It is part of the incredible Charlie Palmer Group, a two time Michelin Star recipient and Wine Spectator Grand Award winner for its wine list every year since 1999!

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

One of my favorite courses from the Charlie Palmer Tasting menu was the 1st course, a blood orange salmon gravlax and lightly smoked ora king salmon dish. Incredible! This was paired with the Schramsberg Rosé Brut Methode Traditionelle 2011, a delectable sparkling wine. It is my wine pick for this week!

Schramsberg located in Calistoga, Napa Valley, California and founded in 1862, this producer has legs!

The 2011 is a delectable blend of 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay.The dose of chardonnay added for complexity, says the winemaker. Handcrafted using select cool climate north coast vineyards,

So delicious, so enticing with aromas of strawberry, and touches of citrus… bright acidity on the palate with a long, refreshing and lingering finish.. So relish….Schramsberg Rosé Brut Methode Traditionelle 2011.

Schramsberg Brut Rosé

Schramsberg Brut Rosé

In our market by the way…you need to contact THE VINE AGENCY.

$59.95 per bottle /6 per case.

For this wine review

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 3:29 minutes into the show.

Episode #18 (WL 03-22-2015) Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas… wine and dine scene extraordinaire!Our Fabulous Finds For Foodies… Aureole Las Vegas by Charlie Palmer, Mandalay Bay.

The Wine Ladies on Connect Me Radio

The Wine Ladies on Connect Me Radio

Piper Heidsieck

Piper Heidsieck Red Label Cuvee Brut, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Piper Heidsieck Red Label Cuvee Brut.

Piper Heidsieck Red Label Cuvee Brut.

Piper Heidsieck Marilyn Monroe’s Favourite Champagne

It’s rumored that this champagne was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite. She used to enjoy a glass every morning and I definitely agree with her!

 This stunning champagne has the finest bubbles, is pale yellow in color, very pleasing to the eye. Aromas of green apple and citrus.My pick for celebrating the Oscars this year is Piper Heidsieck Red Label Cuvee Brut.

Piper Heidsieck

Piper Heidsieck

LCBO $54.95 per bottle

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 4:17 minutes to hear it.

Episode #17 (WL 02-18-2015) We have Oscar fever!

Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck shares his culinary creations set for the stars on Oscar night!
Listen to The Wine Ladies Wine Pick at 4:30 minutes in the show.

On this week’s radio show…We have Oscar fever! Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck, Piper Heidsieck Champagne and much more!

Bodega Catena Zapata

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012

My wine pick this week is from South America, although not from Chile but from Argentina. Another region making superb quality,value wines and this one is a standout!

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

The producer, family owned Bodega Catena Zapata, is known for their high quality wines. It has been making wine for multiple generations. They have vineyards planted in Mendoza at varying altitudes each vineyard bringing something unique to the final blends.

My pick the Bodega Catena Malbec 2012 is a blend of grapes from four vineyard sites. Each bringing something special to the wine. The result a wine of intense aroma, with black fruit, floral notes, spice, black pepper, complex and with a lasting finish. I thought delish for $19.95.

Catena Malbec 2012

Vintages # 727748

Price: $19.95

 TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 4:17 minutes to hear it.

On this week’s radio show… Episode #16 (WL 01-12-2015) Icewine… Canada’s Nectar of the Gods!

we explore all that is our iconic Icewine, this special wine that literally put Canada on the world-wide wine map! What makes it so special, how its made, and no we don’t put the grapes in a freezer, but some do,a commercial freezer that is…so we’ll learn all about it, the risks, the rewards, and the amazing taste profiles!
And to help us do all that and also chat about some of the other award winning still wines coming out of this region…  Joining us today, 3 guests from different wineries, all located in our beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and stops on our Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour coming up January 25th.

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

Heinrich Vollmer ALTUM Pinot Noir 2008

Heinrich Vollmer ALTUM Pinot Noir 2008, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

A few weeks ago we were invited to an exclusive reception at the beautiful home of the German Consul, Mr.Walter Stechel. Mr Stechel along with Wines of Germany, Lufthansa and the German Tourist Board wanted to thank everyone for their support. They also shared with everyone some of the beautiful Christmas traditions of Germany as well as a few of their wines of course.

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

It was a great evening. Mr Stechel shared a few of the traditions with his welcome, including some that are quite different than some of ours here. The tree goes up Christmas Eve. The gifts only show up on the morning, even the colours and styles for decorating are different. I believe that sometimes requires a little negotiation in some families!

Heinrich Vollmer ALTUM Pinot Noir 2008

That evening we had the opportunity to try some very special wines, but my favourite was the Heinrich Vollmer ALTUM Pinot Noir 2008 from the Pfalz region. The grapes for this wine come from the top of the Vollmer Estate, from the Ellerstadler Kirchenstuck vineyard. Enticing aroma of cherries and hint of licorice, is medium-to full bodied, it was aged in oak for 12 months, has nice complexity, is well balanced, delicious and great for my big bird coming soon! I truly enjoyed and will be bringing to our Christmas dinner.

Heinrich Vollmer ALTUM Pinot Noir 2008

VINTAGES#: 375279
In our market $21.95

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 3:09 minutes to hear it.

Episode #15 (WL 12-22-2014) TOP 3 Tips to survive the holidays!The Wine Ladies Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions and 2014 in review!

Rhine River Wine Cruise Nov 2018

Rhine River Wine Cruise Nov 2018

Join The Wine Ladies this Nov 2018 for a Rhine River Cruise For Wine Lovers.

Alpha Crucis TITAN Shiraz 2010

Alpha Crucis TITAN Shiraz 2010, Susanne’s Wine pick.

Alpha Crucis TITAN Shiraz 2010

Alpha Crucis TITAN Shiraz 2010

Alpha Crucis TITAN Shiraz 2010

Well okay since we are talking “make a statement” vino. Mine is a real Titan! It’s actually called the Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz 2010 from McLaren Vale, Australia.This is a great name for a great wine! First of all “Alpha Crucis” is the brightest star in the Southern Cross constellation. The Alpha Crucis TITAN wines are so named to create the finest wines from the best areas of their vineyards which were established in 1897.

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

So this full bodied wine had nuances of beautiful complexity, with ripe cherries and bright raspberry combined with savory, toast and gamey elements, with a bright acidity and softer tannins. The finish doesn’t finish for a while….Thumbs up for my wine, in vintages for $24.95

Titan, the Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz 2010

Vintages #377069

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 3:14 minutes into the show

Episode (WL-12-08-2014) #14

Getting into the spirit of the holidays featuring Dan Aykroyd and Crystal Head Vodka.

 

 

Viña Errázuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2012

Viña Errázuriz Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2012, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Viña Errázuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2012

Viña Errázuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2012

So just recently we had the opportunity to attend the 10th anniversary of “the Berlin Tasting:, a legendary and ground breaking tasting that showcased the wines of Chile like never before, beating out iconic wines such as Chateau Lafite and Chateau Margaux. As a nod to this accomplishment and this event, the founder of which is Eduardo Chadwick of Viña Errazuriz, I’d like to share the wine we were greeted with hat evening that was absolutely delicious.

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

My wine pick this week is the Viña Errazuriz Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2012 from the Casablanca Valley in Chile.

So wild ferment means that the winery or winemaker uses native yeasts. These yeasts end up contributing more complexity to the wine. It was aged “sur lie” for 10 months in Oak barrels… it was seductively intense, complex on the nose, with pineapple and peach notes and a creaminess on the palate, with hunts of toast and nuts… Crisp acidity! I really enjoyed this wine.

 

Viña Errázuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2012

VINTAGES#: 738393

$22.95 per bottle
Southbrook Vineyards, Yoga

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 VQA, Susanne’s Wine Pick

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Luv luv my wine pick this week… and guess what? Its organic, biodynamic and smashing! From Southbrook Vineyards  in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario the 2012 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon, the name Triomphe is derived from the Latin “triomphus” a legendary song of praise to the Greek God of wine Bacchus, and this line is the mainstay of Southbrook producing superior quality wines, delicious and of superb value. Seductive deep dark aromas of black currant and cassis, hints of spice, abundantly fruity and concentrated, medium body with long lingering finish.

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

 

Here in our market, a LCBO Vintage Essential $22.95

Southbrook 2012 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon VQA

 

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW NOW

 

 

Episode #12

The 10th anniversary of “The Berlin Tasting”

Nakedness of nature! Discover Southbrook Vineyards’s Biodynamic wines & delicious raw foods at the Om Juice Bar.

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW NOW

Featuring Bill Redelmeier of Southbrook Vineyards

Marilyn and Bill Redelmeier's love story with wine, the land, and all things “local.”

Marilyn and Bill Redelmeier’s love story with wine, the land, and all things “local.”

The Wine Ladies Yoga in the Vineyard Organic Experience

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Well with the season turning a little colder now I was in the mood for something a little thick, warm and luscious.

I love wines from Chile and the Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s most important wine-producing regions, Often described as the “Bordeaux of South America” and rich, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly its most celebrated wine style.

My wine pick this week is the Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, robust with big fruit, this wine hits the spot for me at just $17.95 in our market. Outstanding.

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

—VINTAGES#: 18721

$17.95 per bottle.

Episode #11

WOW,no bull roar here with the wines of Navarra, Spain

TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW NOW

Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Viña Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon 2012