Keith reviewed this wine:

2011 Hartford Family “Old Vines” Russian River Valley Zinfandel Price: $55 Availability: Crowfoot, Highlander Assessed by: Keith Robinson Tasted: March 2014 Product Details: Grapes sourced from vines averaging over 85 years, dry farmed (not irrigated). 100% Zinfandel. Aged in French oak barrels. 15.9% Alcohol. Hartford Family of Forestville, CA produce exceptional, polished, single vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. And one delightful Old Vines Zinfandel. What does 'Old Vines' mean? Unfortunately no legal definition or criteria exist, so wine-makers are free to use the term as loosely or strictly as they wish. In the instance of this wine, however, the grapes are from decidedly old vines, over 85 years on average. So what? What does the age of the vine matter? As the vine ages its vigour decreases. It produces less and less grapes, but puts all its energy into what grapes remain. Volume decreases, intensity and concentration increase. The partners of some human males of a certain age report a similar phenomena. The tasting: Sunny and cheery, yet rugged. Friendly, but not soft or squishy. Think well-built, cheerful surfer. Deep fruit holds the high alcohol well, leaving a beautiful, rich mouth-feel. The only issue with this wine is its price. It sure is good, but is it $55 good? Music Pairing: “California Dreaming” Beach Boys When to drink: Drink on a cold Alberta evening with fireplace and someone special. Big plate of wings or ribs or, wait for it... chocolate cake.

Keith reviewed this wine:

2006 Ridge Vineyards “Old School” Zinfandel Price: $42.99 Availability: Extremely limited production and availability. Willow Park Wine And Spirits Assessed by: Keith Robinson Tasted: March 2014 at Willow Park's birthday tasting. Product Details: Grapes sourced from four parcels of Ridge's Geyserville, Sonoma vineyard. 47 barrels produced. 83% Zinfandel, 15% Carignan, 2% Petit Sirah. Natural fermentation both primary and malolactic. Aged in American oak barrels for seventeen months. 14.6% Alcohol. Since 1962 Ridge Vineyards has produced some of California's greatest Zinfandel based wines and one of the world's most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon based blends – the Ridge Montebello. The Old School was first produced in 2003, then-called “Independence School,” named after a two room school built in the 1870s and still standing. The four parcels of grapes used in the wine are located within the original school district. The tasting: This wine pops. Berry fruit and spice jump in the palate. No sign of age on eye or mouth; if anything you want it to settle down. Unlike “fruit-bomb” Zinfandels, the 06 Old School has structure and grip along with powerful fruit. It is looking for something – food or you – to grab onto. It takes a minute or two to realize just how good this is. Music Pairing: “Great Balls of Fire” Jerry Lee Lewis When to drink: Drink with people and food that pop. Strong spicy food and strong spicy people. Gordon Ramsey's Spicy Lamb Shanks.

Keith reviewed this wine:

AB SKU +189799 2010 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Price: $140 Availability: Zyn.ca Assessed by: Keith Robinson Tasted: November 2014 Product Details: Napa, California 14.4% ABV 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Beringer Vineyards is a large, old California wine producer and part of the global behemoth Treasury Wine estates. Treasury also owns Fosters, Wof Blass, amongst lots of other drinks producers. They produce solid, market-friendly wines that are reliable and well-made. The Private Reserve is Beringer's top tier Cab. The tasting: Well this is a mouthful of happy, dense fruit. The blackberries practically jump out of the glass into the nose. On the palate this is rich, strong and full with dusty persistent tannins. Everything you'd want in a top-drawer crowd-pleasing Napa Cab. Drink now through 2018. When to drink: With a fancy BBQ or other well-healed gathering. Possible love-trap wine if you are looking to catch the right type. Food pairing: Steaks. Burgers. Ribs. Music pairing: Greatest Hits, The Eagles

Keith reviewed this wine:

AB SKU +754208 2012 Castiglion Del Bosco 'Rosso Di Montalcino” Price: $24 Availability: Willow Park Assessed by: Keith Robinson Tasted: October 2014 Product Details: Montalcino, Italy 14% ABV 100% Sangiovese Grosso Montalcino is a small hill town in Tuscany that produces one of Italy's and the world's great wines – Brunello di Montalcino. Rosso Di Montalcino is Brunello's 'little brother', Rosso is made from the same clone of Sangiovese as Brunello and from the same demarcated area. Brunello is made to be aged for much longer than the unpretentious Rossos. Thus the saying that we drink Rosso while waiting for the Brunello to be ready. Just as likely we drink Rosso while waiting for our wallets to fill, as the more serious Brunellos cost 3-4 times the price of Rossos. In any event, Rosso di Montalcino can be a great value wine – good for the table, with friends or late Halloween night for the two of you after sorting the kids' treats and getting them to bed. The tasting: Ruby with hint of blood to the eye. Red fruit and herbs on the palate. Luscious texture – very drinkable. Enough structure to hold up to pizza or lasagna. Straight forward, well-made and tasty. Drink now through 2017. Serve slightly chilled Food pairing: Bosco Rosso will handle most anything on the plate. Good all round table wine. Movie pairing: Halloween horror flick

Keith reviewed this wine:

SKU 746926 2013 Cristom Willamette Valley Pinot Gris Price: $24 Availability: Very limited distribution. Assessed by: Keith Robinson Tasted: September 2014 Product Details: Willlamette Valley, Oregon 13.5% ABV, 100% Pinot Gris The Willamette Valley (pronounce Willamette like damitt, not willa met) is rightfully famous for wonderful Pinot Noir Reds. Many Oregon producers have wrongfully concluded that Pinot Gris is therefore their great white grape. They are often wrong and their Pinot Gris is too often insipid. Cristom, however, is one Oregon winery producing worthy Pinot Gris. The tasting: Subtle enticing nose of delicate flowers and citrus. Strong palate showing leesy baby fat with flavours of melon, spice and minerality. First class wine, but needs attention to reveal its charms. Should develop nicely over the next 2-4 years. Food pairing: Cristom Pinot Gris is a serious food wine – should pair well with everythings from lights salads to appetizers to asian fare, seafood and light meats. When to drink, if not with food: Watching Drugstore Cowboy or any movie by Gus Van Sant