Tag Archives: mystery case

Masi never disappoints

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This blend of Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo grapes is a pale yellow colour with aromas of ripe tropical fruit and flowers. The mouth is full of ripe fruit and mineral flavours that lead to a refreshing finish.


Verduzzo grapes for the Masianco mature after harvest on straw mats (plateau). This increases the fruit concentration. You can already feel this in the fragrance. In the bouquet of Masianco Pinot Grigio. Made using a unique blend of freshly-picked and semi-dried grapes.


Great with any ‘light’ dish and a wonderful way to ‘encourage’ the coming the summer dayz on the deck.

Masi Pinot Grigio

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 03049062001652

Flower Power

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The inspiration behind the name of the brand is South Africa’s national flower, Protea. It got its name from the shape-shifting Greek god Proteus because it comes in a dizzying diversity, as each blossom is somehow more exotic and special than the last one.


Protea Chenin Blanc is produced by Protea Wines, a company that belongs to Johann Rupert, owner of luxury brands like Cartier and Mont Blanc. 


Very appealing.  Tangy and crisp flavours get your attention, and holds it through a lovely fullness towards the end. 

The preceding winter was cold and wet, resulting in good dormancy and healthy dam levels prior to the growing season. The cool weather continued into spring which in turn resulted in delayed but relatively even bud break, flowering and fruit set. The moderate summer temperatures slowed the ripening period and resulted in harvest starting about two weeks later than normal. The usually hot month of February was uncharacteristically cool, allowing for the gradual ripening of fruit with good flavours and acidity. An exceptional vintage which promises to deliver outstanding wines.


Protea has a remarkably aromatic nose for a Chenin Blanc.  It’s very palatable and quite distinctive.

CHENIN BLANC – RUPERT WINES PROTEA

$13.99 regularly $14.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00086891081144

Approaching Perfection

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Consistently this is one of Argentina’s tastiest wines.  
A very well balanced wine with lots of freshness and plenty of black fruit. It has a nice transition from the beginning to end.  Long finish.


Approaching the best Cab Franc we’ve ever had.


Go buy a bunch of this. Some to drink now.  Some for the next get together and some to hold for awhile.


CABERNET FRANC – SANTA ANA LA MASCOTA 2018

$18.49

14% Alcohol

UPC: 07790762052838

Get A Grip

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Medium ruby in colour, medium bodied, but well balanced and soft. And then, after the 3rd or 4th sip Ichanged my mind and decided that it’s somewhat bold.


Very nice on it’s own, and we certainly enjoyed it with Spaghetti one night and beef kefta the other.


You’re not going to drop this bottle, with its nobbly finger grips on the neck of the bottle.


It is always a highly rated vineyard, so look for other varietals from them when you go to pick up a second bottle of this.


PUGLIA SANGIOVESE – FARNESE FANTINI

$14.99

12.5% alcohol

UPC: 00653149111269

Identical Twins they are not

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Attitude comes with altitude. The vines grow at between 200 and 500 metres altitude, where the winters are harsh and the summers extremely hot, with cooler nights.This alternation of temperatures allows the grapes to ripen slowly and gently, preserving all their aromas.

By looking at it, you wouldn’t know it was a Rose.  A lovely blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. You’ll easily remember this one because of its presentation in a satin finish bottle.


Beef barley and Lentil soup the first night and mac and cheese the second night.

The 2021 BC vintage from Quals Gate makes it easy.  If you can’t make up your mind what to serve, just go with a rosé. On the palate, this wine is light, fruity and satisfying from the approachable entry to the refreshing, crisp finish. It is made using a combination of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes. After harvest, the grapes received four hours of skin contact for colour and flavour before being pressed off. Each varietal was fermented separately in stainless steel at cool temperatures before being expertly blended by our winemaking team. 

 Bring on the summer heat, so we can revisit both of these roses and enjoy them on the deck.

VAROIS EN PROVENCE ROSE – DOM ST FERREOL LES VAUNIERES 2020

$22.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03330620008634

Quails’ Gate Rose
$19.99
13% Alcohol
UPC: 00778856121247

You’ll pay attention to this one

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If you like ‘em big and bold … this is the valley for you. It’s sandwiched between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain Range, with an arid climate which is too much for the delicate skin of white grapes – but is perfect to slowly ripen red grapes, intensifying the flavours.


This is an earthy, bold, well structured modern red. Intense, but subtle.


Our version of a burger night – Mediterranean kefta (meatballs), raw veggies, and thin pita with tzatziki 


MERLOT – OLD MERELO COLCHAGUA 2019

$16.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC 07804426008090

The nearness

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It brings back memories of Sandra Oldfield at Tinhorn Creek (the first carbon neutral winery in Canada) introducing us to Cab Franc. It was a wild and wolly visit, but the wine tasting was calming.  

Since then, the vines has matured and so has the acceptance of BC Cab Franc viticulture.


Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery from Osoyoos presents its flagship red wine. This Cabernet Franc has dark berry flavours, dark spice and herbal notes. 


This is an ideal barbecue wine!  It’s well balanced and Bright.

BORDERTOWN – CABERNET FRANC 2019

$25.99

14.9% alcohol

UPC: 00626990282433

All good things come to an end

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But, fortunately, they are repeatable!


Another Mystery Case from the Goddess came to a close over the weekend as an Up Island Friend was stopping over on his way home from a 5 week sojourn. Of course, there was wine with dinner.  Pasta, not traditional Lamb.


As it turned out, we enjoyed two reds (Spain and Chile) and they were from two ends of the spectrum.


Spain First – 33 year old vines in the La Montesa vineyard – 95% Granacha and a 5% assortment of traditional varieties including Tempranillo and Mazuelo..  Ecological vinticulture produces a very juicy, balanced, bright and lively to go-with-the pasta-and-conversation.


The second was a lovely medium to light bodied red blend,  soft tannins.  75% Cinsault, 25% Pais brought out a lovely freshness. Old vines both, and from different parts of the Valley.  


Maule is one of Chile’s most extensive valleys and has the largest production of wine grapes, but the Secano Interior sector merits special note for the large number of old País and Carignan vineyards still managed using the same techniques inherited from the Spanish Conquistadors—head-trained, low density, and dry farmed to adapt to this area with hot, dry summers and granitic, red clay soils.


País is a variety introduced in Chile by the Spanish conquerors during the 16th century. Cinsault was introduced in Chile during the 1940s to compensate the lack of color and structure of País. When both varieties are blended together, they give life to fresh and light wines.

Both had a gentleness to them that we really enjoyed.

Don’t worry. We have more reviews to catch up on, and we will soon be seeing the Goddess for another Mystery Case!


Finca La Montesa Monte Verga

$33.95

14% Alcohol


CINSAULT PAIS- MORANDE VALLE DEL MAULE 2019

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 07804449013125

Island Fare

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Distinctly Vancouver Island terroir. It was whole cluster pressed and fermented in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral barriques. 


This was a great match for grilled garlic/lemon shrimp on skewers with orange/date salad.  Nice and dry.  Bright on the palate and a lovely finish with lots of staying power.


They do an Auxerrois that I’ll look for next time we see the Goddess.

UNSWORTH VINEYARDS – PINOT GRIS 2020

$21.99

13.1% Alcohol

UPC: 00626990258957

Cause for a pause in the proceedings

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In North America, Verdejo is hard to come by, but this Spanish grape is well suited for the Mediterranean climate in the Dunnigan Hills (East of Napa and left of Centre).


The grapes were handpicked in the early morning. A portion of the grapes were whole cluster pressed, then the wine was fermented in neutral oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks. Barrel fermented lots were aged 5 months in neutral oak to increase complexity and mouth feel, resulting in a wine that is crisp and refreshing.  

A blend of 89% Verdejo and 11% Chardonnay.


Perfect as an aperitif, this white pairs well with creamy cheeses, spicy shrimp or a salmon salad.  Our vein was similar – Cornish game he with a maple syrup orange glaze. You’ll stop in the middle of something (a mouthful of food or a sip) or mid sentence in a conversation) and realize how engaging this glass of wine is.


The finish is crisp and refreshing with a little pop of minerality. 


Well priced.  and enjoyed well.  I’m going to look for some of their other 19 different varietals. 


VERDEJO – MATCHBOOK TINTO REY DUNNIGAN HILLS 2018

$15.97 regularly $16.97

13% alcohol

UPC: 00859551001444