Outstanding, dashing, value.
This Merlot and Cabernet blend comes from the 16th Chateau de Courteillac near the village of Saint Emilion. The chateau has been in the family current Rayne family for four generations.
It offers outstanding value. This vintage is quite dashing; plumcake, wild currents, leather and spice, patchouli and vanilla with grilled red bell peppers and a sprinkling of rose petals. It has and appealing umami character, savoury and a little salty with fine spices, pencil shavings, bay leaf and mocha. Very good balance and structure with a long cocoa finish.
Pair: Roasts, lamb and rustic lentil dishes.

©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2015

Every so often I come across a wine, which really makes my day. I don't want the bottle to have a bottom and I'm so intrigued by it's character and style that finding the words to describe it seems virtually impossible, at best. Wines like these are often better experienced than described.
Undoubtedly, this is a special occasion wine, one for the cellar perhaps. I had no idea the price of it when I was reviewing it, something I prefer, if possible. But I did know it was something very special.
This white Rhone comes from vines, which are on average 60 years old. It's mostly Roussane with 15% Clairette and 5% Bourboulenc. It is treated in both stainless and barrel and aged in barrel on its lees for an additional year.
Golden in colour it offers aromas of lanoline, beeswax, wild herbs (garrigue), pine, mineral oil and a core of creamy white fruits and exotic spice. The palate is unctuous - honey, dried herbs, citrus, yellow fruits and fine spice. Amazing concentration and weight with a never ending finish of wild honey.
Pair with oily fish, lobster in butter, creamy sauces with shaved truffle, mildly spiced dishes and strong cheeses.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2012

Stylish, consistent, delightful.
The Chateau St. Jean is always a delightful example of Sonoma Pinot Noir -- solid, fruit-driven and consistent. The core is typically earthy with spice, cocoa, wild botanical notes, tealeaf and carrot tops with attractive black raspberry and cherry fruits. Silky texture, expressive fruit with good balance - it's a ripe California style but boasts bright acidity.
Stylish.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 10th, 2016

This delicious Chateau St. Jean Pinot is entirely satisfying.
It has classic Pinot Noir character with juicy New World fruit.
Expect aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cedarbox and crushed purple flowers atop forest floor and wild herbs. The palate is silky and tastes like sunshine warmed berries, juicy cherries and sweet spice. It has a lengthy finish and will pair well with duck, wild mushroom ragout or harvest dishes of roasted beets, yam and squash.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 26th, 2012

This fairtrade red is named six hats for Citrusdal Wines' belief that terroir is more than just soil and climate, but people too. The six hats stand for sustainability (at the core) but also partnership, change, dignity, potential and equity - the focus of fairtrade products.
It leads with Maraschino cherries and pepper then rolls into roasted baking spice atop savoury, meaty aromas. The palate is savoury and spicy; a mix of red and black fruit is rounded out with peppery spices, bittersweet cocoa and roasted coffee flavours. Fresh and fairly smooth and good with game meats or pretty much anything beefy and grilled.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 23rd, 2013

Clos du Soleil's signature red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (44/40/10/3/3%).
It delivers earthy blackberry and black cherry aromas surrounded by coffee, sweet brown spices, plumcake and vanilla. It has a solid backbone - great structure with fruit supported with espresso beans and spice. Nice finesse and evolution in the glass. Don't expect cookie-cutter red blend but one you can put in the cellar for 5-7 years if desired.
Pair with hearty pasta dishes, aged cheeses, grilled meats and roasted root vegetables.
Free delivery on direct purchase from online shopping at Clos du Soleil Winery
 
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 9th, 2013

Decadent, plush, depth.
Made from specially selected vineyard blocks in the Similkameen Valley and neighboring South Okanagan Valley. Signature varies each vintage and the 2011 is made from 44% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc 22%, Malbec 6% and Petit Verdot 5%.
It has a plush, decadent nose of chocolate, espresso, cassis, vanilla and licorice with layers of black cherry, raspberry, baking spices and crushed purple flowers. The palate is fresh and finely textured with loads of black and purple fruits, pipe tobacco, sweet spices and mocha flavours. Great balance and persistence - another great vintage!
Free delivery on direct purchase from online shopping at Clos du Soleil Winery
 
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 15th, 2014

Energetic, supple, plush.
Made from specially selected vineyard blocks in the Similkameen Valley and neighboring South Okanagan Valley. Signature varies each vintage and the 2012 is made from 42% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Expect plush aromas of black currents and plums, mocha, vanilla, baking spices and leather. It boasts energetic fruit on the palate, which is layered with dried herbs, cocoa and tea leaf flavours. Finely texture tannins stay the course from entry through finish.
Great complexity and persistence - another great vintage!
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 30th, 2015

Made from specially selected vineyard blocks in the Similkameen Valley and neighboring South Okanagan Valley, by BC born, international winemaker, Ann Sperling. It is made from 48% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec and aged for 18 months in French oak.
It deserves the name Signature with its potent sweet chocolate covered cherry aromas, vanilla, purple berries, baking spice, violets, mocha and pepper. The palate is a reflection of the nose - a full-bodied and supple wine with generous sweet berry flavours layered with mocha, vanilla and peppery spices. It has ripe tannins and wonderful length with flavours of coffee trailing across the finish.
Bravo.

Free delivery on direct purchase from online shopping at Clos du Soleil Winery
 
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2012

Guava, bright, verdant.
A wonderful version of this California developed classic the Clos du Soleil offers aromas of Guava and peach jam, orange blossom honey, nettle and sweet herbs with smoky undertones. While the nose is more fruit-driven the palate is more verdant; grass clippings and herbs roll in first, then gala apples and lime zest. As always, excellent concentration, weight and long mouthwatering finish.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 8th, 2015

Finessed, racy, woven.
This 82% Sauvignon Blanc and 18% Semillon is a classic Bordeaux blend, but with the California name (fume blanc) given to a lightly oaked version of Sauvignon Blanc, a term coined by Robert Mondavi. It is decidely earthy this vintage; powdered mushrooms, smoke, and stony minerality support elderflower, honey and crunchy white fruit aromas. The palate is juicy with oodles of tree fruit and honey flavours. It is weighty and creamy with a wonderfully woven palate. It is equally racy and finessed.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 21st, 2016

Piquant, racy, verdant.
This 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon is a classic Bordeaux blend, but with the California name (fume blanc) given to a lightly oaked version of Sauvignon Blanc, a term coined by Robert Mondavi.
The nose is racy; nettle, grass clippings, green apples, crunchy nectarine and lime aromas lead to an equally tangy and pristine palate. Zesty and mouthwatering it is verdant and crunchy with a long lip-smacking finish.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 9th, 2019

Piquant, racy, stylish.
This 88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Semillon is a classic Bordeaux blend, but with the California name (fume blanc) given to a lightly oaked version of Sauvignon Blanc, a term coined by Robert Mondavi.
A delightfully piquant nose of sweet snap peas, gooseberry, passionfruit. lime and elderflower lead to a tangy and zesty palate. Concentrated and complex and weighty and stylish make this a delicious and racy white.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 25th, 2017

Piquant, racy, generous.
This 83% Sauvignon Blanc and 17% Semillon is a classic Bordeaux blend, but with the California name (fume blanc) given to a lightly oaked version of Sauvignon Blanc, a term coined by Robert Mondavi.
Outrageously good; guava, pear compote, nettle and verdant grass clippings are woven with mineral, lemon verbena and vanilla. Creamy with generous fruit and a concentrated palate rounds out this delicious, piquant and mouthwatering white.
Pair: oysters and other seafood, white meats, appetizers or cheese platters.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2018

Value, tangy, crunchy.
An organic Chilean Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of nettle, lemon/lime, gooseberry, still crunchy nectarines, grass clippings and mineral at the core. A kiss of sweetness pops the fruit on the palate; flavours of stone fruits, tangy citrus and herbs mimic the nose. Great value.
Pair: starter salads or asparagus and goat's cheese quiche.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 16th, 2016

Cono Sur has an impressive commitment to sustainability (in many forms) as well as organic and biodynamic agriculture, and if that doesn't impress you, the value in these wines will.
It is a bright, citrusy style with warm, buttery notes, toasted spice and nuts. The palate is sweet and quite juicy, offering melon and sweet peach/nectarine flavours, which pop in your mouth from the bright acidity. That liveliness carries through the finish and lingers with warm spice, notably clove.
Pair with roasted chicken, creamy corn chowder or smoked gouda.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 10th, 2012

Always a good value and now certified organic, the Cono Sur Bicycle range is a great everyday wine, which will please a crowd easily.
Aromas of dusty red plums and cherry are layered with baking spices, violets and harnessed with an earthy core. In the mouth, cocoa and berries, leather and cedary flavours culminate in leather and fine spice lingering on the finish.
Pair with grilled artisan pizzas or duck spring rolls dipped in sweet and spicy plum sauce.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 20th, 2013

Fragrant, mouthfilling, oily.
The ever-so-popular Conundrum White is a proprietary blend was developed around the fragrant Moscato grape variety.
The aromas here are fuzzy peaches, honey and yellow apples, orange blossoms and pomelo citrus with a savoury layer of herbs. It is concentrated and oily in texture; the acidity balances the residual sweetness. Exotic spice and lime zest lead to a musky finish.
Perfect for spicier dishes such as Pad Thai, curries, fresh three-alarm salsa and Indian lime pickle.
Pairs Great with Gone Crackers Roasted Shallot & Herb
 
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 17th, 2018

Second review, January 2014:
Musk melon, caramel, Turkish delight, stone fruits, honeysuckle and exotic citrus aromas lead to a palate that is sweet and spicy. Expect flavours of ginger, white raisins, sweet spices, tropical fruit and honey. Very good concentration and length - a wine to pair with spicy cuisines.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 27th, 2014

The long popular Conundrum White now has a red sibling, which winemaker Charlie Wagner (of Mer Soleil) tells me shares a single grape variety in both blends - the fragrant Moscato.
Although I prefer this white blend a bit drier with a mouthwatering dose of acidity, it continues to give people what they want. Aromas here are candied ginger, white raisins, apricot and peach, Turkish delight, lychee and honeysuckle rounded out with Meyer lemons. The palate is sweet and spicy with an attractive weighted palate. The flavours are an echo of the aromas, the finish is long and fresh.
Perfect for spicier dishes such as Pad Thai, curries, fresh three-alarm salsa and Indian lime pickle.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 22nd, 2013

Fragrant, mouthfilling, intensity.
The ever-so-popular Conundrum White is a blend, which relies upon and was developed with a base of the fragrant Moscato grape variety.
The aromas here are peach melba, candied ginger, white raisins, lychee, jasmine and honey with lime. Weighty with good intensity and plenty of sweetness to balance spicy dishes. Lively and mouthfilling with a lengthy finish.
Perfect for spicier dishes such as Pad Thai, curries, fresh three-alarm salsa and Indian lime pickle.
Pairs Great with Gone Crackers Roasted Shallot & Herb
 
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 5th, 2015