A decadent delight that will remind you of a bowl of sun-warmed summer fruit.
Aromas of rose petals and violets, blueberries and black cherry with baking spices and grapey notes. In the glass a frothy pink mousse sits atop this rich dark frizzante made from the Lacrima grape - the same sweet ripe berry and cherry flavours are lifted with floral flavours. Sweet but not overly, deliciously romantic and a rare wine perfect for chocolate or cheese after dinner.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 23rd, 2013

Another feather in the Cupcake cap, the Angel Food white blend is a suitable name for it - it is dessert in a glass.
Confected aromas of dried pineapple, candied citrus peel and vanilla. It has a creamy weight and oozes coconut, orangesicle and pineapple flavours.
Best served with a fruit dessert or spicy yellow curry.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - March 30th, 2013

This Vancouver Island estate winery also produces some tasty grape wines including a couple of sparklers.
The Wild Blackberry has intensity and it's just like eating fresh blackberries off the bush - sweet yet tart, clean and charming. There are hints of prune and chocolate alongside fine spicy notes and it has a nice long clingy finish.
A delicious fruit dessert wine to pair with chocolate or blue cheese.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 30th, 2013

Made from botrytis affected (a mold known as noble rot, which affects the grapes, desiccates them, thereby increasing the sweetness and intensity) Optima grapes this unique and delicious sticky is a real treat.
Aromas of apple sauce and Earl Grey tea, honey and quince with Satsuma oranges. It is slick and decadent on the palate - sweet but not too sweet, with a smooth finish, which trails tea and apricot flavours.
Serve slightly chilled and pair with chocolate, an apricot tart or strong or blue cheese.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 14th, 2012

Made from botrytis affected (a mold, which attacks the grape, desiccates them and results in intense flavours and sweetness) Oraniensteiner and Pinot Blanc.
It is a gorgeous sticky with aromas of wild musky honey in chamomile tea, quince and apricots. It's concentrated with an unctuous weight and flavours of dried apricots, candied citrus peel and honey. There is a vibrancy, a lively acidity, which helps clean up the sweetness on the palate - the persistence is fantastic.
A great option for apricot cake or a dried fruit, nut and cheese platter or small bites of white chocolate.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 14th, 2012

Known for their Kerner dessert wine, Tinhorn Creek makes either a late harvest or icewine, depending on the vintage.
It's a luscious sticky with aromas of honey, guava and peach compote. It has wonderful intensity and flavours of peach pastries, tropical fruits and honey. The finish is bright, the acidity lively, which cleans up the sweetness on the palate. Lengthy and delicious...
Pair with fruit tarts or a cheese platter with dried apricots and nuts or small bites of white chocolate.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 14th, 2012

The Amen is a 10th anniversary fortified wine made in a Port-style and is made from late-harvested estate grown Merlot. It is a combination of vintages starting with 2006 added to 2007, 2008 and 2009.
It has intense plummy notes, dried cherries and chocolate with some stewed prunes and burnt sugar topping.
It's assertive on the palate (the alcohol is nearing 20%) is very chocolaty and is layered with dried red fruit, coffee and spice flavours.
Pair this dessert wine with dark chocolate cake, strong cheeses or just sitting by the fire.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 11th, 2012

This Madeira (from the island with the same name, off the coast of Portugal, known for making these fortified wines) offers very unique briney/salty aromas wrapped in caramelized sugar, toasted nuts and pastry dough. The palate follows suit - the saline/briney flavours leads to dried fruits and nuts, while burnt sugar flavours trail across the finish.
Pair with cheese, nutty biscotti or desserts with walnuts and caramel.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 11th, 2012

It's easy to gush over this fragrant wine with its delicate bubble.
It is also an excellent version of Moscato with its pretty apricot and candied ginger aromas wrapped around white raisins, citrus peels soaking in honey and garden flowers. The palate offers ginger biscuits, lemon curd, stone fruits and honey flavours. A very enjoyable sweet sipper with a lengthy finish.
A great dessert wine for fruit or apricot pastries, ginger spiked biscotti or a dried fruit and cheese plate.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 7th, 2012

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 Diva reviewed - November 29th, 2012