Whose my favorite client? hands down Qatar Airways. It's the most exciting job I do because I go head to head with all the other major consultants to other airlines. Singapore, Emirates, BA, Lufthansa, CX etc...
So every time we win awards it's a happy day. Last year we came 1st, and this year we came 2nd by a fraction of a point.
http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/showarticle.php?id=6727&pg=1
The other award competition we enter is run by Cellars in the Sky. Every year we have won 1st place in several categories and hopefully this year will be no different.
Although we spend days tasting through hundreds of wines, it's always fun with Erwan and Colin from Qatar. If you want to fly on one of the three 5 star airlines in the world then fly Qatar.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Quails Gate
Chardonnay, Quails Gate, Stewart Family Reserve 2008 $29.95
I had a stunning Reserve Chardonnay from Quails Gate. Everyone that tasted it was impressed.
But it does seem like Chardonnay has really lost its lustre as a varietal and very few people in our courses say they like it. Shame, although it's probably the poor quality soupy ones that have put everybody off.
Still, this Reserve Chard from QG was a stunner.
Pale to medium lemon color. Intriguing nose of smoke, toast, and other barrel notes. Dry, creamy, nice structure (not too full and fat) with fresh acidity providing definition, French oak, lemon peel and peach, elegant, and a very long finish without any heat. 91-93 points.
I had a stunning Reserve Chardonnay from Quails Gate. Everyone that tasted it was impressed.
But it does seem like Chardonnay has really lost its lustre as a varietal and very few people in our courses say they like it. Shame, although it's probably the poor quality soupy ones that have put everybody off.
Still, this Reserve Chard from QG was a stunner.
Pale to medium lemon color. Intriguing nose of smoke, toast, and other barrel notes. Dry, creamy, nice structure (not too full and fat) with fresh acidity providing definition, French oak, lemon peel and peach, elegant, and a very long finish without any heat. 91-93 points.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Holman Lang
Sometimes I consult to wineries and one such project was to help Holman Lang develop a new business plan. That's now done and so I've wrapped up my project as GM of Holman Lang.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Le Vieux Pin and La Stella
I met Rasoul Salehi, the man in charge of Le Vieux Pin and La Stella, several years ago. At a young age he was one of the most passionate people I've ever met, spending all his free time reading books and tasting. And he knew his stuff.
In a short time he went from student to being Managing Director of 2 of the newer and more boutique wineries of the southern Okanagan.
Le Vieux Pin is on the Black Sage Bench, closer to Oliver, and is a characterful winery that strives to create small lots of hand-crafted wines. When I first visited I was very impressed with the marketing, with labels written in a handwriting style, noting the yield, maturation regime, and the number of cases produced. They certainly had the packaging right and the brand was positioned at the super-premium end with prices to match.
La Stella is situated further south and is themed on Italy. Again, the focus is on small batches of premium wines. I tasted through a range:
88 points - La Stella - Leggiero Unoaked Chardonnay 2009
Very pale, which is not surprising given it is 2009 and aged in stainless steel. The nose has a refreshing citrus and herbal note, and is the opposite to a fruit bomb aged for an extended period in new oak. The palate is dry, light to medium bodied, with a green apple flavour and bracing acidity. There's some vibrancy, and a steely character, and it's low in alcohol (12.5%) which is a nice change from the 14%ers.
The Merlot 2007 Allegretto is very plummy and rich on the nose, with plenty of body but currently shows heft tannins, so could benefit from some more time.
89 points - The Moscato is delicious. Light and sweet with tropical fruits, it's a great way to finish a meal with some fresh fruits. Making a Moscato suits the style of the winery and should be a big hit.
With Rasoul at the helm, and some powerful backers, these wineries should go from strength to strenght as the vineyards are fine-tuned. What I like most is the vision. Alot of wineries don't have one - but Rasoul is a fine wine man and so there's tremendous dedication to producing quality wines.
In a short time he went from student to being Managing Director of 2 of the newer and more boutique wineries of the southern Okanagan.
Le Vieux Pin is on the Black Sage Bench, closer to Oliver, and is a characterful winery that strives to create small lots of hand-crafted wines. When I first visited I was very impressed with the marketing, with labels written in a handwriting style, noting the yield, maturation regime, and the number of cases produced. They certainly had the packaging right and the brand was positioned at the super-premium end with prices to match.
La Stella is situated further south and is themed on Italy. Again, the focus is on small batches of premium wines. I tasted through a range:
88 points - La Stella - Leggiero Unoaked Chardonnay 2009
Very pale, which is not surprising given it is 2009 and aged in stainless steel. The nose has a refreshing citrus and herbal note, and is the opposite to a fruit bomb aged for an extended period in new oak. The palate is dry, light to medium bodied, with a green apple flavour and bracing acidity. There's some vibrancy, and a steely character, and it's low in alcohol (12.5%) which is a nice change from the 14%ers.
The Merlot 2007 Allegretto is very plummy and rich on the nose, with plenty of body but currently shows heft tannins, so could benefit from some more time.
89 points - The Moscato is delicious. Light and sweet with tropical fruits, it's a great way to finish a meal with some fresh fruits. Making a Moscato suits the style of the winery and should be a big hit.
With Rasoul at the helm, and some powerful backers, these wineries should go from strength to strenght as the vineyards are fine-tuned. What I like most is the vision. Alot of wineries don't have one - but Rasoul is a fine wine man and so there's tremendous dedication to producing quality wines.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Poplar Grove Syrah 2007
I vaguely recall Ian Sutherland giving me a bottle of his Syrah and saying words to the effect that I would like it. He's an accomplished guy, the Winemaker and joint-owner of Poplar Grove. But frankly, comments like that are a dime a dozen.
Anyway, I cracked it open yesterday. I tasted it over 2 days. And I'm totally blown away. The Okanagan has done it again, making a wine that would stand up to the best of the Northern Rhone, Australia, Washington State, and other prestige Syrah producing areas.
93-95 points. It's deep and dark, the way Syrah should be. The nose shows abundant ripe blueberry fruit and vanilla notes. It's intense but not jammy. It's fresh and fragrant, without any of the earthy aromas that can be a turn-off for many consumers.
But it's the palate that really shines. Gorgeous depth of fruit, with black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and cream flavours and a touch of spice. It's full but not heavy, with just enough tannins to give structure, but otherwise very fine, soft and silky. The mid-palate shows enough watery traces to prevent it being jammy and sweet - it's the perfect combination. There's not a hint of greeness anywhere to be found. That is high class Syrah.
You may think that I give out some high scores. But keep in mind that the last 15-20 bottles of BC wine did not get rated or written-up at all. I only bother with the really good wines. I've worked in production, and critics slagging off wines doesn't do anyone any favours.
Poplar Grove is in a state of transition. A new winery is being built and the technology and equipment they currently use is not at the level it will be in 2-3 more years.
So if they can make this quality of Syrah now, hold on to your hat because this is already exceptional wine.
BC has the ripeness of fruit that the Old World struggles to achieve. But we don't get the low acid and low tannin and jammy characters that the Aussies can get.
I'll be buying a case of the 07 Syrah to show at our tastings. First class wine.
Anyway, I cracked it open yesterday. I tasted it over 2 days. And I'm totally blown away. The Okanagan has done it again, making a wine that would stand up to the best of the Northern Rhone, Australia, Washington State, and other prestige Syrah producing areas.
93-95 points. It's deep and dark, the way Syrah should be. The nose shows abundant ripe blueberry fruit and vanilla notes. It's intense but not jammy. It's fresh and fragrant, without any of the earthy aromas that can be a turn-off for many consumers.
But it's the palate that really shines. Gorgeous depth of fruit, with black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and cream flavours and a touch of spice. It's full but not heavy, with just enough tannins to give structure, but otherwise very fine, soft and silky. The mid-palate shows enough watery traces to prevent it being jammy and sweet - it's the perfect combination. There's not a hint of greeness anywhere to be found. That is high class Syrah.
You may think that I give out some high scores. But keep in mind that the last 15-20 bottles of BC wine did not get rated or written-up at all. I only bother with the really good wines. I've worked in production, and critics slagging off wines doesn't do anyone any favours.
Poplar Grove is in a state of transition. A new winery is being built and the technology and equipment they currently use is not at the level it will be in 2-3 more years.
So if they can make this quality of Syrah now, hold on to your hat because this is already exceptional wine.
BC has the ripeness of fruit that the Old World struggles to achieve. But we don't get the low acid and low tannin and jammy characters that the Aussies can get.
I'll be buying a case of the 07 Syrah to show at our tastings. First class wine.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Quails Gate
The winery with the nicest "feel" to it in the Okanagan is Quails Gate. I think it stems from the people.
I met Ben Stewart about 8 years ago when I was exploring a custom crush venture in the Okanagan. As we tasted through various casks of Merlot I stopped and told him some it was better than Bordeaux Right Bank (where I worked at the time). Some of the barrels put St Emilion to shame.
Of course, winery owners get so involved in their business that they can't see it - but Ben had a quiet smile and a sense of humility. Bottom line - great guy.
I've watched Quails Gate go from strength to strength. Ashley Hooper made some lovely wines, and after he went back to Oz his big shoes were filled by Grant Stanley. His experience in NZ has made him a perfect Pinot and Chard focused w/maker.
The Stewarts have built the best resturant in the northern Okanagan, in fact, probably in the Okanagan full stop. It has style, elegance, great service, and excellent food.
In the wine business, it takes very smart and hard working owners to create a profitable business. There is tremendous capital involved, huge agricultural risks, and it's a competitive market to say the least. Quails Gate is a model for others to follow.
Their Chardonnay 2008 slips down with a combination of peach and citrus, vanilla and toast. It's elegant, with subtle notes. The palate is dry, with a soft and creamy mouthfeel, smooth yet refreshing, and a pleasant finish.
What's the future for Quails Gate? Maybe create another label for the less expensive wines and only put the top wines under the QG label - which is destined to become an icon. Whatever they decide, I'm confident it will be one of the top wineries of the Okanagan for many years to come.
I met Ben Stewart about 8 years ago when I was exploring a custom crush venture in the Okanagan. As we tasted through various casks of Merlot I stopped and told him some it was better than Bordeaux Right Bank (where I worked at the time). Some of the barrels put St Emilion to shame.
Of course, winery owners get so involved in their business that they can't see it - but Ben had a quiet smile and a sense of humility. Bottom line - great guy.
I've watched Quails Gate go from strength to strength. Ashley Hooper made some lovely wines, and after he went back to Oz his big shoes were filled by Grant Stanley. His experience in NZ has made him a perfect Pinot and Chard focused w/maker.
The Stewarts have built the best resturant in the northern Okanagan, in fact, probably in the Okanagan full stop. It has style, elegance, great service, and excellent food.
In the wine business, it takes very smart and hard working owners to create a profitable business. There is tremendous capital involved, huge agricultural risks, and it's a competitive market to say the least. Quails Gate is a model for others to follow.
Their Chardonnay 2008 slips down with a combination of peach and citrus, vanilla and toast. It's elegant, with subtle notes. The palate is dry, with a soft and creamy mouthfeel, smooth yet refreshing, and a pleasant finish.
What's the future for Quails Gate? Maybe create another label for the less expensive wines and only put the top wines under the QG label - which is destined to become an icon. Whatever they decide, I'm confident it will be one of the top wineries of the Okanagan for many years to come.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Napa
Next week we start at Stags Leap Wine Cellars, then Opus One, Shafer, Spring Mountian, Schramsberg, and other wineries on a par with those.
Epic. A great adventure. If you don't do it someone else will.
JC
Epic. A great adventure. If you don't do it someone else will.
JC
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