I have been playing a wine game with restaurant sommeliers and wine nerds across town where I show up with a mystery bottle and ask them to review it blind. By not knowing what the wine is or who represents it, hopefully, an honest-no-bs-review is achieved. ~ PK
Come inside and read the review of our next contestant…
^ Mr. Stuart Irving, Chef/Co-owner of Cobre in Gastown.
2007 Stoneboat Pinotage
ABV: 14.4%
Category: Pinotage
Country: Okanagan Valley, Oliver, BC Canada
Winemaker: Stoneboat Vineyards
Varietal Character/Distinctiveness: 3.5 ~ “Guessing it is a possible BC Pinot? I had it rated as 3.5 for distinctiveness, finding it to be Pinotage (after the review), I wouldn’t know how to rate a distinctive Pinotage. “
Expression: 4 ~ “Bouquet of dried cherries and a hint of vanilla in the background. A subtle nose.”
Complexity: 3.75 ~ “Fairly complex. Touch of cocoa, cherry, oak, ripe dark berries.”
Balance: 4 ~ “Light tannins, off dry, softening nicely over 10 minutes. Medium finish, doesn’t linger too long.”
Value: 4.5 ~ “Priced appropriately.”
Score: 19.75/25
Availability: Marquis Wine Cellars, Liberty Wine Merchants, St. Regis Fine Wines and Spirits
Pricing: $25-30
Wine review by Stuart Irving, Chef/Co-owner of Cobre in Gastown.
