Alphabetical Reviews - R
You can see all my reviews in these archives. Reviews are organized alphabetically by the producer's name.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ram's Leap Shiraz, Western Australia,
2003- Organic wine. The 2002 was good, the 2003 is great! Chocolate
cherry and chocolate mints...hmmm a diet food? Ripe fruit jamm-y yet
still austere with earth, pepper and eucalyptus, soft and seductive with
fine tannins.
$18.00
Wine Diva tasted- September 2005
Ravenswood ‘Sonoma County’ Zinfandel, Sonoma Calif., 2003- The entry level Ravenswood ‘Vintners Blend’
is always a crowd pleaser, the county specific, ‘Sonoma’ is that
and more. Slightly more complex than the lower priced ‘Vintners’
but still adhering strictly to Ravenswood ‘no wimpy wines’
mantra.
The 2003 is zin-sational with fresh rasp-blueberries, dried
fruit, chocolate, tobacco and a nice long, boozy finish.
$29.99
Wine Diva tasted-February 2006
Red Rooster Bantam, Naramata BC, 2005-A blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc,
Pinot Auxerrois, Vidal and Chardonnay. Fun and frivolous with pineapple, orchard
fruit and honey on the nose. In the mouth it's fresh light and creamy,
just off dry with anise and sweet spices on the finish.
$13.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Unoaked Chardonnay, Naramata BC, 2005-Melon, ripe pear
and hints of zingy pineapple. Fresh, easy drinking with a sweet spiced
finish and nice acidity.
$15.90Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Naramata BC, 2004-
Creamed corn, buttery orchard fruit aromas drizzled with vanilla. Smooth,
oily mouth-feel with creamy melon and pear fruit. Not too oak-y for those who
prefer a cleaner Chardonnay style. Lovely!
$24.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc, Naramata BC, 2005-Fresh, floral
and chock full of summer orchard, citrus and pineapple. Nice balance between
fresh and creamy, slight earthiness but finishing with grapefruit and herbal
nuances.
$15.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Pinot Gris, Naramata BC, 2005-Creamy pit fruit aromas
(peach/apricot) honey and white flowers. Bright and clean in the mouth, fresh
mountain stream, similar peach/apricot flavours and finishing with lively citrus
peel.
$16.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Viognier, Naramata BC, 2005-Starts lightly on the entry and
builds softly into honeyed apricots and Asian 5-spice. Fresh in the mouth, (not
the overripe booze bomb that can sometimes be found in Viognier) with anise,
soft fruit and creamy citrus.
$16.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Riesling, Naramata BC, 2005-Crisp green apple, mineral,
soft floral aromas. Bright summer orchard fruit flavours and pink grapefruit
make a refreshingly off-dry sipper with a slightly hot finish.
$14.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Blanc de Noirs, Naramata BC, 2005-Blanc de noirs basically means
making white wine from red grapes. Translation, the colour can be
decided by how long you leave the red skins in contact with the juice. For
example, a brilliant hued rosé may have skin contact for 24-72 hours but in the
case of this particular Red Rooster, the Pinot Noir skins were in contact
with the juice for a mere hour. The colour is clear with just a hint of
pink with tropical fruit and red berry aromas tinged with earth, stone and
mineral notes. Round and fresh with slightly sweet berry flavours.
A perfect summer sipper.
$14.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Gewurztraminer, Naramata BC, 2005-Turkish delight (honey and
figs), lychee, orange blossoms and hints of cold cream on the nose (Wine
Diva wishes her face cream smelled like this). Somewhat delicate on
the palate, clean flavours, sweet spices and a long licorice finish.
$14.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Merlot, Naramata BC, 2003-Deep aromas of plum, chocolate,
tobacco and cedar. Earthy and fresh with well integrated tannins.
The 2004 (will be released as soon as the 2003 is depleted) is juicy,
lighter bodied and with a bit more minty/greenish flavours. It is still
tight but it should soften and integrate nicely as it ages.
$19.90Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Grand Reserve Merlot, Naramata BC, 2004-Dried
fruit, sun-warmed dark fruit, plum/berry pie, mocha, vanilla and earthy aromas. Still
slightly astringent (will soften with some time) with dark flavours of
chocolate covered cherries.
$34.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- April 18, 2006
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Red Rooster Meritage, Naramata BC, 2004- Bordeaux style with green bell
peppers and earth with a dark fruit/cassis combination. Solid chewy
tannins and strong oak influences. Cellar this wine, give it some time and try
in again in 2007.
(60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)
$29.90 Private wine stores and the winery
Wine Diva tasted- July 10, 2006
Roads End Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2004- For 'pinotphiles' Ken Wright of
Ken Wright cellars has garnered cult-like status. Wright makes this
blended pinot noir for Carlton Cellars, it's made from the grapes of the Canary
Hill, Nysa and McCrone vineyards. Roads End is full of roasted beet, chocolate
and smoked rhubarb. Velvety smooth, sweetly rounded with chalky, chewy, dusty
tannins. Gorgeous!
$79.90 private wine stores and restaurant lists
Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio, Venezia Italy, 2003- Cut grass,
white flowers, earth, musk and marzipan…sounds like it could be a deadly
combination but is actually a very refreshing quaff. Sweet fruit on the
attack (when the wine first hits your tongue) moving to citrus fruit and
a pleasant grassy finish. Surprisingly full and assertive in the mouth,
worth a try of this well priced Northern Italian white.
$15.99
Wine Diva
tasted- February 2006
