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| Destination: Trader Joe's |
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| TJ's Reds Aisle |
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| TJ's Bubbles Aisle |
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| TJ's Charles Shaw Aisle |
Before our son had to leave for the Fort of the North we were treated with a day trip to Trader Joes' in nearby Bellingham and a relaxing overnight at Semiahmoo Resort near Blaine, (Washington State, US) on the
shore of Semiahmoo Bay across from Whiterock (Canada).
Both locations were chances to purchase and taste wines from the local retailers.
Cheers, Ww
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| Semiahmoo Pier |
- Meiomi Pinot Noir 2012, 93-3 -- Monterey County, California, $17.99US ($26.95 in Ontario)
- Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2012, 86-1 -- Clarksburg, California, $8.99US
- F. Coppola Diamond Collection Claret Black Label 2012, 84 -- Geyserville, California, $14.99US
- Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, 82 -- Clarksburg, California, $8.99US
- 1884 Reservado Escorihuela Syrah 2012, 82 -- Mendoza, Argentina, $16.99
- 1884 Estate Grown Escorihuela Malbec 2013, 82 -- Mendoza, Argentina, $16.99
- Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2012 VQA Okanagan, 92-3 -- Okanagan, BC, $17.99
- Gray Monk Pinot Auxerrois 2013 VQA Okanagan Valley, 91-2 -- Okanagan, BC, $16.99
- NK'MIP Pinot Blanc 2012 VQA Okanagan Valley, 89-2 -- Okanagan, BC, $15.99
- Sandhill Hidden Terrace Pinot Gris VQA Okanagan Valley, 84 -- Okanagan, BC, $16.99
- Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz, 88 -- Australia, $22.99
(V - Vintages, G - General, O - Other, r-v - Rating-Value, a - aerated, NR - Not Rated)
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| Semiahmoo at dusk |
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| A View to the Beach |
MEIOMI PINOT NOIR 2012, Monterey County, California, 13.8% D xg/L, $17.99US ($26.95 in Ontario) (Tasted September 8, 2014)
Purchased from Trader Joe's in Bellingham, Washington State, USA. My notes: A blend of grapes from Santa Barbara (34%), Sonoma (31%) and Monterey (35%) Counties. A deep ruby clear top to bottom, shiny and bright. Lays a moderate film with a smooth rim running smooth legs. Flavour of freshly crushed black cherries with a dusty raspberry tang. Has an intensity to encourage solo sipping. Pair with short ribs in a savoury sauce, slow cooked pork ribs or bacon wrapped filet mignon. Finishes dry exceptionally long with a hint of sweet. 93 F. COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION CLARET BLACK LABEL 2012, Geyserville, California, 13.5% XD 5.7g/L, $14.99US (Tasted September 8, 2014)
Purchased from Trader Joe's in Bellingham, Washington State, USA. Retails for $21.00US. My notes: A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The nose has a thin black cherry with a earthy mushroom scent - not too pronounced. A swirl lays an uneven film partially fragmenting at the rim. The firt sip is double sided - bone dry tannin with a long finish and a lime tainted fresh cherry/berry. Interesting as a solo sipper suitable for an open bar. A bright complement for tomato sauced pastas or pizzas. Should keep several years altho' not changing much. 84 BOGLE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Clarksburg, California, 13.5% XD 5.6g/L, $8.99US (Tasted September 8, 2014)
Purchased from Trader Joe's in Bellingham, Washington State, USA. My notes: A dense blackberry, charcoal hued for emphasis. The first sip is both brambly and velvety retaining a subdued fruit and going into a long extra dry finish. A swirl leaves a smooth layer with full rim quickly shedding long legs. There's a slight sweetness adding interest and shifting initial focus to a mineral dryness. A meal red where savoury dishes mask a the bramble. A drink now. Not aromatic but has a hint of heat. 82BOGLE VINEYARDS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2012, Clarksburg, California, 14.5% XD 5.3g/L, $8.99US (Tasted September 9, 2014)
Purchased from Trader Joe's in Bellingham, Washington State, USA. My notes: A see-thru ruby leaving a moderate film running long legs and lacework. Aromas of plum black cherry with a clean edge dissipate quickly. Tannin layers the palate from the first sip to a long extra dry finish. A style for those preferring Xdry, warm with dusty fruit. Have with steaks, osso buco or savoury stews. 86 1884 RESERVADO ESCORIHUELA SYRAH 2012, Mendoza, Argentina, 14.0% XD xg/L, #744532BC $16.99 (Tasted September 11, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A charcoal hued ruby swirls a viscous film with a moderate rim that runs fast tears. Ascerbic purple plum and berry flavours last throughout for a mildly interesting med-bodied drink now. Leaves a brambly coating for an extra dry finish. Pair with beef steaks and savoury stews. 82 1884 ESTATE GROWN ESCORIHUELA MALBEC 2013, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.8% XD xg/L, $16.99 (Tasted September 11, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A dense, almost black purple hued colour. A subtle/absent nose with a firm film running fast forming, flowing legs and a ring of tears. The flavour is metallic edged with a dried grape skin aspect shallow in depth and changing to a crushed seed finish. A drink now and a dull sipper. Pair with beefburgers, pizzas or polish sausage w/mustard. 82GRAY MONK PINOT AUXERROIS 2013 VQA Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley, BC, 12.5% D 11.6g/L, #96222BC $16.99 (Tasted September 8, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A pale blond with a suspicion of lemon touched with honeysuckle. The film coats to a thin rim attempting rounding but instead fragments and falls. Distinct nutty flavours linger along with soft apple and ginger. A lightish medium-bodied delivers a mineral finish making for an interesting sipper. Compatible with ginger seasoned dishes, Bento box with tempura shrimp/vegetables or a Chinese buffet. Cellar several years should retain terroir and mellow existing tang. 91 BLASTED CHURCH HATFIELD'S FUSE 2012 VQA Okanagan, Okanagan Valley, BC, 12.3% D 6.2g/L, #734475BC $17.99 (Tasted September 7, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A blond or light straw colour, smooth textured not quite waxy but long. A slight white peach, a touch of lime pulp and pink grapefruit for flavour. Pleasing as a sipper for its intensity. Serve chilled to savour changes as nose and flavours somplement the occasion. Have with seafood or chicken breast in a creamy sauce -- or sip, sip. This blend shows balance and appealing uniqueness. 92NK'MIP PINOT BLANC 2012 VQA Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley, BC, 13.0% XD 3.85g/L, 626432BC $15.99 (Tasted September 9, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A pale grapefruit slow to release a pear and subtle honey scent. The film sticks hanging from a full rin to slowly recede uniformly. Fresh filling the taste buds with mild apple pear, slight spice leading to xdry mineral. An interesting sipper balancing silk, mild fruit and luscious depth. Have with seafood variety, soft cheeses or a fruit salad. Shelf a year or two. 89
SANDHILL HIDDEN TERRACE PINOT GRIS 2013 VQA Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley, BC, 14.0% XD 5.5g/L, #169060BC $16.99 (Tasted September 9, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: A pale onion skin leaving a ring of drooping tears. A subtle pear/apple/peach scent develops with slight warming. A quaff reveals an xdry chalk texture and mild tea flavour. A drink now or with pickerel, bass or sweet sunfish - try charcuterie as well. 84 BLACK CHOOK SPARKLING SHIRAZ NV, Australia, 13.0% D 24.2g/L, #847343BC $22.99 (Tasted September 24, 2014)
Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: Purchased from a BC Outlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. My notes: The 2007 and 2010 vintages for the Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier were tasted with ratings in the 90's. This is the my first bubbly for this label. The colour is a deep garnet and shows a burst of bubbles then a constant fountain of fine leaving a purple tinted froth on the surface. There's a steely aroma of crushed black and blueberries. Sipping is tart and dry flavoured with spicey not hot fruit left to shrivel in the sun. A fine fizz livens each sip while a long finish coats the palate. Serve chilled. An interesting change from a standard bubbly for those preferring red and one that could pair with liver & onions, an Albacore steak or just sip. 88VANCOUVER - RANDOM SCENES:
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| Stanley Park Lookout |
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| A Welcomed visitor |
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| English Bay anchorage |
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| Robson Street FC |
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| Burrard Street Bridge? |
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