Tag Archives: mystery case

Add Locale

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This was one of my selections for my birthday gift certificate.  I picked it for several reasons.  It’s terroir being the primary motivation.  


It is a genuine ambassador its way of life in villages and a micro climate with hot sunny days and cool nights. Le Paradou is a project created by Alexandre and Frédéric Chaudière whose family produce some of the most respected wines in the Ventoux at Château Pesquié.  


The wine is fresh, light and very balanced acidity. A careful, thoughtful mix of grapes from young and old vines (40-60 years)


Grilled Veggies, white meats, maybe just salads or starters to accompany.  Fruit pies for dessert?  Do it with local ingredients.


Le Paradou Cinsault Rose 2019

$18.98

12.5% Alcohol 

Uncomplicated

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The climate of the Rueda, Central Spain, is ideal for Verdejo (originating in North Africa).  Full bodied, and aromatic.  Think a really nice Sauvignon Blanc.


Night time harvest controls the temp.  After fermenting in steel, the rounded, and slightly complex juice brings forth a light, dry, andsoft, medium acidity wine.  

Serve it slightly more chilled that you usually would for whites.

Marques de Caceres Verdejo 2018
$18.98

13.5 % Alcohol

What you get is better than what you see

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Owner Elisabetta Geppetti is known as the Lady of Morellino and the Ambassador of Maremma.
Simply put.  She makes great wines.


Indicative blend: Predominantly Sangiovese (85%) with the addition of Alicante (10%) and Ciliegiolo (5%) grapes.


I opened it to breath about an hour and a half before supper. It appreciated the opportunity for deep breathing.


This is a great, soft, and rustic Italian red. A nice wakeup call on the nose that becomes earthy on the first taste. Soft tannins. Great balance and structure which despite the hot vintage still very delicate, shows off the great craftsmanship. 


Even though we had a white chilling in the fridge, I chose this to go with our apricot/raisin stuffed Pork Tenderloin and sheet pan veggies.

MORELLINO DI SCANSANO – LE PUPILLE 2019

$21.99 regularly $24.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 08030967017317

High and Dry Rule Breaker

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Susana is known as the “Queen of Torrontés” for her role in transforming Torrontés from an unknown blending grape into Argentina’s star white varietal.  And she does it at 1700 m above sea level.


A grape indigenous to Argentina, it produces wine that is crisp, refreshing and aromatic.  This is one of our favourite white wines (along with Grillo from Sicily). Lively acidity, a hint of creaminess and a long, mineral finish add depth and balance to the palate.


It goes great with smoked meets and medium cheeses.


They also do a Rose Malbec that I would like to try.

Crios Torrontes 2019

$20.98

13% Alcohol

For now and later

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The vineyard is near Verona and we have a beautiful blend of Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Tocai (Friulano), Cortese (Fernanda), Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon. 30 year old vines give us character.

A lovely yellow with green highlights.  Dry and Tangy.  Nicely full bodied and a long persistent after taste.

Enjoy it now, and stow it away for up to 4 or 5 years to enjoy later.

CUSTOZA SUPERIORE BIANCO – MONTE DEL FRA CA DEL MAGRO 2016

$21.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 00838547000050

Region not grape variety

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A very good reason that it’s a FEATURED item – it’s good.


Jammy and Berry flavours in a great execution of flavour forward.  Great depth and structure.


Fruit for this wine was sourced from vineyards in Sonoma (19%), Monterey (59%) and Santa Barbara (22%) for this 100% Pinot Noir blend.


A suggestion: Drink this wine via smaller, freshly poured sips. Fill your wine glass up to no more than 10-15% if you want to taste more fruit. Experiment with it to see what happens as the wine breathes… fun!

Layered and velvety, it’s ready to drink and food-friendly. Think pork chops or salmon.

PINOT NOIR – MEIOMI

$21.99 regularly $29.99

13.7 % Alcohol

UPC: 00855165005076

In pursuit of the perfect bubble

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These two are holdovers from previous Mystery Cases.  Saving them for a visit from special friends .. and that was Sunday.’s lunch. And the wait was worth it.


Hand Harvested combo of 50% Pinot Blanc and 50% Auxerrois from the largest family-owned and family-operated winery in Alsace

This Cattin is bright pale gold, with a hint of slightly lemony green apples.  A fresh palette which  comes with more rounded flavours of fresh red apple with that lovely, yeasty backdrop.


BRUT CATTIN  AOC Crémant d’Alsace

12% alcohol

$24.49


Graham Beck Brut Rose from the Western Cape is made from the traditional Méthode Cap Classique base wines of Pinot Noir (66%) and Chardonnay (34%).

Its unique silver-pink hue is obtained by an enzymatic reaction during the transport of the Pinot Noir fruit to the cellar. The fine, lively mousse is brisk on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell, fresh lavender and subtle hints of berry and cherry.

Graham Beck Brut Rose

$21.49  

12% Alcohol

Starting Italian Lessons on Tuesday

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A second refresher of the Grillo Grape, and confirmation that we really like it.  


Produced with carefully selected Grillo grapes, an organic and vegan wine that reveals the authentic expression of this precious Sicilian grape variety.

With a brilliant straw-yellow colour, it has a fragrant bouquet of floral and light citrusy notes.. A fresh palate and is savoury, with a full lingering finish.


It pairs well with grilled vegetables, salads, and vegetarian dishes. We had quiches.


If this keeps up, we’ll be moving to Sicily and looking for a minor Goddess of Delectable Delights – Italian of course!


SICILIA GRILLO – NICOSIA VEGAN ORGANIC VEGAN

$17.99 regularly $19.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 08001014014924

Damn Straight we liked it

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It’s a wine with a historic name “Teodosio”: this wine is named after a famous emperor; from a historic winery, Basilico.


The taste is not huge, but it certainly is big.  It’s balanced, smooth and has nice fruity notes.  Full Bodied with great tannins. Close, but not quite spicy on the palate.  

This is a very pleasant, presentable red at a good price that would go with any meal.


Basilisco is made entirely of the Aglianico grape.

AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE – BASILISCO TEODOSIO 2016

$19.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 08027919112015

Night Moves

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Can you see what you’re picking – when the harvest is done at night to take advantage of the cool air to give a crisp freshness. The Cinsault and Syrah grapes make a delicious rose.  A great aperitif or accompaniment to seafood or fruit salads.

Maybe we should be playing a little Bob Seger “Night Moves”


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mRFWQoXq4c

If you like Provence rose then you’ll love this. Don’t be fooled by the delicate pink colour as this is a delicate but robust wine that will go with almost everything.  We enjoyed ours with scallops (quick sear – s/p paprika one side, ground pistachio nuts on the other) and couscous and a grape/cucumber mixed green salad and it was delicious.  Brought back memories of cooking school with Anthony Sedlak and using a spoon with scallops.


Lovely flavours and dry on the palette. This is a great value Rose wine.


Languedoc Laurent Miguel 2019 Vendanges Nocturnes Classic

$12.49

12.5 % alcohol