Succulent, spicy, muscular.
The little brother to Le Grand Vin is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec & Petit Verdot.
Expect roasted rosemary, dried herbs, warm plum compote and toasted spices with dark chocolate and flame charred bell peppers aromas. It is smooth and woven; the succulent palate is an echo of the nose. Roasted spice and rich black fruit, pipe tobacco and cocoa flavours linger on a medium-length finish. A muscular wine with the same brooding lineage as big brother.
Pair: Grilled or roasted meats, stews, puy lentils with savoury herbs, aged hard cheeses.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 10th, 2017

Supple, potent, fresh.
This limited release Ravenswood red is a unique blend of: Petite Sirah, Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, Alicante Bouschet and Mourvedre. If you're a fan of the Ravenswood style, this one will procure your stamp of approval.
An opulent nose of fruitcake and violets, raspberry, cherries jubilee, mocha and sarsaparilla leads to a supple and generously fruited palate. It has textural tannins to add substance but good overall freshness to keep it from being a jam-bomb. Lengthy and potent.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 19th, 2016

Plush, concentrated, lengthy.
This single, old vine, Dry Creek vineyard Zinfandel is a premium fan favourite in the portfolio of Ravenswood founder, the gregarious Joel Peterson. Peterson remains the face of Ravenswood (Mantra: No Wimpy Wines), despite its ownership by Arterra Brands (in Canada). It's been aged in barrel for two years then more in bottle before release.
Expect mocha, licorice, purple berries and sweet black cherries, baking spices and black pepper aromas. It is supple, impressively concentrated and has a long cinnamon and clove flavoured finish. This vintage seems to lack the benefit of acidity as the previous one did.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Blue Cheese & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 3rd, 2019

Institution, generous, fleshy.
A well-known institution in the Cali Zin scene, the Old Vine offers cherries, purple berries, baking spices, mocha and licorice. Fleshy with generous fruit, supple weight and spice. Good freshness here, a well-loved wine for BBQ.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 26th, 2019

Fresh, dry, tangy.
Predominantly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay and Riesling harvested from Oliver and West Kelowna, this tasty and refreshing ballet slipper pink offers aromas of kumquats and cranberries wrapped in cedar and fine spice. Dry with tangy grapefruit peel, apples skin and spice flavours it has good balance and levity and enough structure to stand up to roasted chicken pork souvlaki palak paneer or with brie, goat’s cheese or camembert.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 28th, 2020