A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1041: Le Vieux Pin and LaStella

Posted on October 19, 2026 by tonyaspler

Le Vieux Pin wines

Monday, October 12th: Tasted the following wines from Le Vieux Pin and LaStella in the Okanagan.

Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Pale straw in colour; grassy, gooseberry nose with lively acidity; medium-bodied, crisply dry; lemony, grapefruit and green plum flavours. Well-balanced and lingering. (91)

Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Le Vieux Pin Roussanne 2025
Light gold colour; honeyed peach bouquet with a light floral note; full-bodied (14.6% alcohol), dry; peach and apricot flavours; richly extracted, well-balanced with a long, fresh finish. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1040: Interlude with Liebling and Some Great Big Head

Posted on October 13, 2026 by tonyaspler

Destined for Hong Kong

Monday, October 5th: Tasted a wine that will be presented at the dinner in Hong Kong:

Southbrook Estate Sol & Luna Merlot 2021
Deep purple in colour, holding to the rim; cedary, black plum bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and black cherry flavours carried on lively acidity; well-balanced, well-integrated oak and a lovely mouth-feel. (93)

Tuesday, October 6th: Deborah and I dined at Bolete. We had a dozen oysters and shared a burrata salad with grilled peach. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc respectively. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1039: Hong Kong Dinner

Posted on October 5, 2026 by tonyaspler

Hong Kong Tourism Board sign

Monday, September 28th: Dinner grilled salmon with The Long Way Home Riesling 2024 (produced at Crush on King, Niagara Custom Crush Studio).
Straw colour with a hint of lime; grapefruit bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, crisple dry, green apple and grapefruit flavours. Beautifully balanced and great length. (91)

The Long Way Home Riesling 2024

Tuesday, September 29th: No wine!

Wednesday, September 30th: Jill Troyer drove me to On Seven to taste the newly released 2023 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with winemaker Peter Gamble and the winery’s proprietor, Vittorio De Stefano. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1038: Crush Wines, “Streisand” Concert, and Lunch with an Old Friend

Posted on September 28, 2026 by tonyaspler

Barbra Streisand tribute concert poster

Monday, September 21st: Tasted through a bunch of wine made at The Crush on King:

Enoteka Niagara Bellevue Red Non Vintage
Deep ruby in colour; high-toned nose of plum and oak spice; medium-bodied,dry, raspberry and plum flavours with a touch of volatile acidity. (87)

The Long Way Home Chardonnay 2023
Straw colour; toasty, leesy apple nose; medium-bodied, crisply dry, Chablis-esque crabapple flavour. (89)

The Long Way Home Pinot Noir 2024
Medium ruby colour; lifted raspberry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, raspberry flavour with a mineral note. (89) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 1037: Southbrook Estate Lunch, Chevalier Dinner

Posted on September 21, 2026 by tonyaspler

Monday, September 14th: Lunched at Southbrook with members of the Toronto Hunt Club. It was billed as a “Bordeaux and Burgundy” event, as we tasted Southbrook red Bordeaux varieties before lunch and with the meal prepared by Tony DeLuca and his wife Maria; and afterwards, to Cloudsley Cellars to taste Adam Lowey’s Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Continue reading →

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