April 9, 2012 - B.C.'s Best From A to Z

87 40 Knots Pinot Gris 2010
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct or private wine stores
Slightly fresher, cleaner version of the '09 with more floral notes. The attack is fresh with ripe red apple fruit and bits of pineapple, guava with a pinch of tangerine. Solid but again a slightly drier version would be even more welcomed. (AG-ST)

87 40 Knots Pinot Gris 2009
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct or private wine stores
A lovely fresh floral nose of honey, citrus and butter. The attack is similar with citrus and ripe tropical fruit notes fore, and bit of burnt butter aft. A solid effort that if anything could be a bit drier. Would be fun with a spicy tuna roll. Well done. Drink now. (AG-ST)

87 Andrew Peller Signature Series Cabernet Franc 2008
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $38.00 winery direct
Smoky, cranberry, peppery, coffee, vanilla, meaty, barnyard, leather, brine, olive aromas. Smooth, fresh, round palate with dill, cranberry, smoky, espresso, vanilla, olive, roasted tomato, tobacco leaf, savoury flavours. Although on the herbal side with plenty of showy oak there is a balance of fruit that will allow for a bit more bottled ageing. Well done. (AG-ST)

87 Andrew Peller Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2009
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $30.00 winery direct
Spicy, earthy, buttery, baked apple, creamy, floral and citrus aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp palate with nutty, spicy, earthy, butter, citrus, red apple flavours. Solid food style with just a bit of bitterness with a lean edge on the finish. Ready to drink. (AG-ST)

87 Andrew Peller Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $30.00 winery direct
Passion fruit, gooseberry, apricot skin, floral, nettle aromas, good nose. Round, fresh, elegant, dry palate with grapefruit, passion fruit, cooked gooseberry and lemon nettle flavours. A bit austere but well balanced with solid fruit. (AG-ST)

87 Arrowleaf Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The Arrowleaf style is always fresh and floral and this gris is no exception. Lemons and limes with ripe red apples and honey mark the nose while lemons and lime rind mark the finish. Delicious summer sipper styling but you can also pair this with salmon sushi. (AG-ST)

87 Averill Creek Vineyard Pinot Gris 2009
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 private wine stores, winery direct
This one hundred percent pinot gris from Vancouver Island wowed the pre-dinner crowd on Saturday night an dit was a perfect foil to the mini cup of chanterelle risotto appetizer. Razor thin but with stone fruit, lemon oil and honey aromas and flavours that give it enough weight to carry its juicy, melon mineral finish. (AG-ST)

87 B-S Rosé Table Wine (Michael Bartier-David Scholefield) 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct or private wine stores
BS Rosé is made from the vineyard up with fully ripened gamay grapes. The style is light and refreshing with bracing acidity and earthy, red fruit flavours. A wonderful food wine it marks a new and exciting level of sophistication for this style of wine in the B.C. You can serve this with a wide range of foods including chicken, goat cheese, mussels and much more. (AG-ST)

88 Bartier Bros. The Cowboy 2010 Schönburger - Sauvignon Blanc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct; speculative listing - Trialto Wine Group
Spicy, floral, ginger, passion fruit, grassy, grapefruit, nettle aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate but slightly austere. Honey, floral, ginger, grassy, grapefruit rind, nettle flavours. An elegant, juicy style with wide food appeal. (AG-ST)

87 Bartier Bros. The Goal 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct; speculative listing - Trialto Wine Group
Spicy, chocolate, coffee, tobacco leaf, cherry, rooty, savoury aromas. Round, dry, fresh, easy palate with cherry, tobacco, smoky, chocolate, roasted tomato, savoury, peppery flavours. A bit oaky but solid balance with a bit of green tea and tartness on the finish. Should improve over the next year in bottle. (AG-ST)

87 Black Hills Alibi 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Intense lees, nutty, passion fruit aromas flecked with hay, lemon, nettle and smoky herb notes. The attack is dry and fresh, the palate crisp with an austere streak. Lemon, lees, grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit, marzipan flavours with a touch of bell pepper. A bit severe and tight at the moment, give it a year to settle down. (AG-ST)

88 Black Hills Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Honey, butter, pear, peach, canned grapefruit and melon aromas. Round, full, ripe palate but soft and creamy. Melon, butterscotch, popcorn, baked apple and lees flavours. Good finesse and fruit but lacks mid-palate weight and has a short finish. Ready to drink. (AG-ST)

88 Black Hills Nota Bene 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $53.00 winery direct and private wine shops
A much welcomed hint of ripeness helps to supress Nota Bene's signature herby resiny characters. I know green wines are fashionable but underripe is never attractive in this cabernet sauvignon dominated blend. Expect a fairly smooth entry of red fruits and resiny leafy notes with flecks of cassis and plums. Tannins are well managed and soft with a medium long, earthy finish. Best we've tasted in years. (AG-ST)

87 Black Hills Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Dark red colour with a fairly intense peppery nose with bits of black fruit and summer sausage notes. The attack is fresh and smooth showing a bit of acidity and alcohol with more black cherry and plum fruit flavours and a dry slightly acidic finish. A fine first effort. (AG-ST)

87 Blasted Church Chardonnay Musqué 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, vqa and private wine stores
Expect a fresh bright green apple, citrus, mineral nose that follows directly onto the palate with more crisp green apple lime and apricot skin flavours with a dash of minerality. Clean if a bit simple but would be fine with most West Coast seafood dishes or sushi. (AG-ST)

87 Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2010 Gewurztraminer - Chard - P.Gris - Optima - Pinot B - Ehrenfel
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing, AB $26.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Always solid this spicy, floral white has a bright fruit salad nose with bits of citrus and rosé petals and most of that carries through on the palate. Look for citrus and peach flavours with a lime rind undercurrent. A summer sipper, you can pull back out whenever turkey is on the menu. (AG-ST)

88 Blasted Church Merlot 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct, vqa and private wine stores
Intense spicy, lifted fruit nose with bits of black olive, barnyard and black cherry notes. The attack is rich and smooth with round almost fat black fruit, liquorice, ripe olive and saddle leather with just a whiff of barnyard. Solid red if a bit pricey. (AG-ST)

87 Blasted Church Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, private wine shops
The all mid-valley, Skaha fruit comes of two blocks and is pressed and aged in French oak for nine months. At this ppoint a small portion of carbonic macerated fruit is added to the blend to reduce tannins and boost fruit. The palate is soft and spicy with dried strawberries, mushrooms and spice flavours before a short dry finish. An okay pinot that under delivers for the price. (AG-ST)

89 Burrowing Owl Athene 2009 Syrah - Cabernet Sauvignon
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Meaty, spicy, black cherry, cassis, green bean, olive, tobacco, vanilla, floral and riparian aromas. Full, round, dry, fresh palate with some tannin. Sour cherry, meaty, peppery, smoky oak, vanilla, coffee, cassis, olive, savoury, herb and liquorice flavours. Solid balance with some fruit and intensity but needs a year or two to soften the light, cedary tannins on the finish. (AG-ST)

87 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 winery direct, AB $35.00 fine wine shops
Smoky, sweaty saddle leather, tobacco, prune, dried cranberry, liquorice, coffee, chocolate, barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh, somewhat astringent palate with light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, prune, leather, herbal, cranberry, smoky, rooty, cherry flavours with a meaty, ash and liquorice finish. A bit young and rustic but will be better with a year or two in bottle. (AG-ST)

88 Burrowing Owl Meritage 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 winery direct, AB $50.00 fine wine shops
Coffee, chocolate, barnyard, saddle leather, smoky, cassis, peppery, floral, blackberry and vanilla pudding aromas. Ripe, round, smooth palate with light tannins and a touch of warmth. Smoky, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, coffee, vanilla, herbal, black olive, resin, prune and cassis flavours. Finish is very warm with cedar, espresso, vanilla, black tea and tobacco flavours. A very solid effort despite the obvious heat. (AG-ST)

88 Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, AB $29.00
Burrowing Owl has made a subtle and welcomed change to its 2010 pinot gris. The style is much crisper with mineral, tangerine citrus notes on the nose and palate. There's a hint of sweetness covered with lees, lemons, grass and grapefruit in the finish. It is tracking in the food-friendly direction extending its use to more than the summer. Try this with halibut and a fruit salsa. (AG-ST)

87 CedarCreek Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing
Cedary, resin, leather, peppery, menthol, savoury, cherry and herb aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly lean palate with prune, tobacco, smoky, peppery, and cherry, cedar, resin and mint flavours. A bit green and fresh but has some aromatic complexity and finesse. Ready top drink. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2010
British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
When you trace winemaker Darryl Brooker past from Ontario's Thirty Bench and Flat Rock Cellars to Villa Maria in Hawkes Bay New Zealand you quickly understand the nuances and flavouring of this gris assembled form seven different sites. The 83/17 blend of stainless steel fruit and barrel fermented juice over delivers creamy peachy, mineral, spicy fruit with subtle tropical fruit undertones and firm acidity. A super holiday entertainer at a great price. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Spicy, light barnyard, cherry jam, strawberry, vanilla, smoky, compost, espresso and herb aromas. Dry, elegant, juicy, slightly astringent and lean palate. Vanilla, coffee cream, strawberry jam, rhubarb, smoky, compost, tobacco, meaty flavours. Very solid but still a bit oaky and tannic on the finish. Could use another year or two in bottle. Much better pricing. (AG-ST)

88 Clos du Soleil Capella 2009
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct
Big lemon, floral, lees, passion fruit, cooked grapefruit, baked granny smith, minty, grassy aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, creamy palate but a tad austere. Lemon oil, grapefruit, gooseberry, waxy, honey, baked apple and pear flavours. Warmer finish with good intensity. Drink now and over the next year. (AG-ST)

87 Clos du Soleil Celestial 2009 Cabernet Franc - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Malbec
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct
Tobacco leaf, cranberry, cedar, sour cherry, earthy, rooty nose. Fresh, smooth, supple palate with peppery, dill, roast pepper, herbal, spicy, coffee, cranberry, cedar and tobacco flavours flecked with vanilla and coffee on the finish. Cool style with some finesse, shows franc character strongly at this point but should improve in bottle. (AG-ST)

87 Clos du Soleil Saturn Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 (375 ml) winery direct
Minty, ginger, spicy, grassy, passion fruit aromas with a bit of canned grapefruit. Round, full, soft, somewhat sweet entry with menthol, grassy, honey, passion fruit, herbal, buttery, honey and candied ginger flavours. Finish has good acidity but a bit warm and rind-y. (AG-ST)

87 Clos du Soleil Signature 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Malbec
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Spicy, vanilla, chocolate, prune, barnyard, spicy, peppery, liquorice, cedar and tobacco aromas. Dry, lean, elegant palate with fresh acidity and very light tannins. Cranberry, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, herbal, dill, compost, tobacco, rooty, ash and sour cherry flavours. Needs a few years to integrate but on the cooler/low fruit side. Best with roasted meats. (AG-ST)

88 Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Reserve 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $0.00 winery direct
The first reserve, small lot was only four barrels. Cedar, menthol, tobacco, cassis, peppery, cranberry, sage and savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, tight, elegant palate with some young tannin. Smoky, herbal, savoury, peppery, curry flavours flecked with cranberry, vanilla, coffee, olive flavours. A solid, cool style effort that will benefit from a few years in bottle. (AG-ST)

87 Closson Chase Chardonnay K.J. Watson Vineyard 2009
Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $35.00
Floral, honey, baked apple, pineapple, vanilla, lees aromas with a touch of grapefruit. Juicy, elegant, ripe palate but somewhat sweet. Very buttery, honey, leesy, canned pineapple, pear, sweet vanilla, oatmeal and light garlic flavours. Love the fruit and ripeness but the finish is somewhat heavy with a buttery honey sweet note. (AG-ST)

91 Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2009
Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
ON $30.00 winery direct
I've visited many wineries that reek of money but not all of them have a soul for wine. Closson Chase has both in spades plus the formidable Deborah Paskus to grow the grapes and make the wine. The home vineyard spans just over 12 hectares along the eastern end of Lake Ontario at 44°N. This single vineyard chardonnay is simply electric, with tightly wound cool, citrus fruit and plenty of minerality. You can almost taste the limestone. Stark and lean, with big sommelier appeal, this is to be appreciated at the highest level of tasting. Certainly among handful of the best chardonnays made in this country and should turn heads internationally too. Can't wait for these vineyards to fully mature and settle in. (AG-ST)

87 Fielding Estate Chosen Few Reds 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Syrah
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $0.00
Spicy, peppery, black olive, light bell pepper, meaty, leather, cassis, menthol, barnyard aromas. Dry, tight, elegant but slightly lean palate. Coffee, meaty, medicinal, cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, vanilla, herbal, olive flavours. Young and sappy, may improve over the next few years. (AG-ST)

87 Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2010
British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 vqa, private wine stores, winery direct
Fresh grapefruit, lemon nettle, floral, pear, green apple, minty, grassy aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, creamy palate with gooseberry, green apple, green melon, pear skin flavours with a lemony finish. Good texture and intensity although more akin to sauvignon blanc. (AG-ST)

91 Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lost Bars Vidal Icewine 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 (375 ml) specialty listing, AB $20.00 private wine shops
Ripe apricot, honey, lemon, plasticene, green apple and baked pear aromas. Ripe, rich, round, fat palate with moderate acidity and quite sweet but good balance. Lime, honey, butter, orange marmalade, baked apple skin and apricot flavours. Good acidity and fruit on the finish for drinking over the next year or so. Good value in an ice wine. (AG-ST)

87 Gehringer Brothers Riesling Private Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 specialty listing
Gehringer has always made a crisp clean style riesling and over the years it has traded sugar for ripe fruit and fine acidity. Look for green apple/peach notes with a dusting of wet stone flecked with honey and ripe pear. Amazing finesse and style for the price. (AG)

89 Herder Estate Pinot Noir Estate 2009
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, winery online
Liquorice, spicy, black cherry, vanilla, compost, tobacco, barnyard, light lees aromas. Round, dry, fresh, elegant palate with very light tannins and a chalky texture. Warm with strawberry, rhubarb, peppery, celery, worsteshire, smoky, vanilla, coffee, rooty, meaty, herbal flavours. Finish has some heat and youthful tannins to shed. Good effort but needs a year or so to round out. (AG-ST)

88 Herder Meritage 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Petit Verdot
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Savoury, smoky, peppery, pruny, inky, dried herb, tobacco, compost, black berry aromas. Dry, elegant, fresh but somewhat lean palate with light tannins. Cedar, smoky oak, coffee, vanilla, herbal, tobacco leaf, cranberry, cherry jam, prune, olive and dill flavours. Finish is somewhat tart but capable of aging 2-4 years to smooth out. (AG-ST)

88 Herder Three Sisters 2010 Pinot Grigio - Chardonnay
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Spicy, nutty lees, lemon, honey, buttery, floral, apple skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, clean, juicy palate with citrus, green apple, honey, salty, butter and ginger flavours. Finish is crisp and slightly austere to lend it to seafood dishes. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Late Harvest Pinot Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 (200 ml) specialty listing
Ripe pear, honey, baked apple, spicy, floral aromas with a hint of citrus. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet entry but elegant with mandarin, apple, honey, peach and butter flavours. A lighter, more delicate style but solid fruit and balance for current drinking. Well done. (AG-ST)

87 Hester Creek The Judge 2008 Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 winery direct or private wine stores
Saddle leather, soy, cassis, coffee, vanilla, cedar, barnyard, tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with light tannins. A better mid-palate here but still strong on the smoky, resin, coffee, and cedar cranberry fruit coated with vanilla. Well balanced and savoury but too much obvious oak. (AG-ST)

88 Hillside Estate Muscat Ottonel 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
A Hillside specialty that should not be overlooked. So fresh and bright with beautiful floral, ginger, orange and spiced honey aromas. The plate is equally compelling with bright mineral streaked apricot flavours. What a delicious, balanced, aromatic wine. (AG)

92 Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 (200 ml) specialty listing
Lime, green apple, apricot, honey, waxy, floral aromas. Ripe, full, round, juicy palate that is fairly sweet with moderate acidity. Lots of baked green apple, apricot, spicy, honey, floral, lime and lanolin flavours. Lots of good fruit and finesse here in a sweeter style. Drink now with the solid fruit and a bit of bottle age. (AG)

87 Intrigue Pinot Gris 2010
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private wine shops
I'm intrigued by this wine but the fact that it seems more sauvignon blanc-like than a pinot gris probably won't help it in blind tastings. Still the freshness and its ripe, red apple fruit entry is to be applauded as is the bright tart fruit, clean finish. Try it with clams or fresh cracked crab for best results. (AG-ST)

90 Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Gold Series SunRock Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 specialty listing, winery direct
Another good example from this vineyard. Very peppery, black berry jam, sweet vanilla, chocolate, coffee, liquorice, meaty, leather, savoury, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate and chunky. Smoky, meaty, peppery, black berry, plum, licorice, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, coffee, orange peel, poultry spice flavours. Lots of oak and fruit with some youthful tannins to shed over the next 2-5 years. (AG)

87 JoieFarm Reserve Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Floral, citrus, buttery, baked pear, honey, perfumed aromas. The entry is round if somewhat flat on the palate with a bit of sweetness and fresh acidity. Citrus rind, honey, butter, lees, baked apple, ginger flavours. All the parts are present but it lacks the concentration that would take it to the next level. It finishes with a bit of bitterness and heat. Drink now with roasted chicken. (AG-ST)

88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust White +17/10 2010 Pinot Gris- Viognier - Pinot Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.10 winery direct
The latest 'blind"' trust is a 60/22/9//9 mix of pinot gris, viognier sauvignon blanc and pinot blanc. The attack is fresh and bright with plenty of signature honey notes flecked with a strong undercurrent of orange, ginger, guava and peach. The finish is round and slightly sweet with honey, butter ginger highlights. What it lacks in finesse it makes up for in charm. We like it with Indian curries. (AG-ST)

88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +29/09 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $42.00 winery direct
Cedar, resin, smoky oak, black olive, tobacco leaf, tea leaf, prune, earthy, vanilla, cassis and rustic/wild aromas. The attack is dry and elegant with light, firm tannins. Smoky oak, cedar, coffee, tobacco leaf, cassis, cranberry, chocolate, vanilla, and liquorice root flavours. Balanced but shows cool fruit characters and a big dose of oak. Give it 2-3 years to integrate. The 'futures' release price is a modest $35. (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard - OK Falls 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Spicy lees, baked apple skin, buttery, vanilla, creamy, pear and oatmeal aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tart palate with an austere edge. Butter, honey, diacetyl, grapefruit rind, green apple, clove and waxy, oatmeal flavours. Very buttery, lees finish. Unusual style but this year there is enough fruit to keep it all interesting. (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Sonia Gaudet Old Main Road Vineyard 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Enticing nutty lees, oatmeal nose with waxy, lemon, peach skin and vanilla aromas. It has a fresh, juicy, elegant entry all in slightly lean style with a touch of sweetness in the back end. Butter, baked apple, citrus, canned pear, oatmeal, vanilla, honey and clove flavours speak to its complexity. Well done and showing some elegance too. (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Celery root, thyme, caraway, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, meaty, light barnyard nose with a touch of cherry fruit. Dry, round, full, somewhat chunky palate with astringent tannins. Vanilla, coffee, peppery, meaty, compost, medicinal, rhubarb, black tea, savoury, black cherry flavours. This one is ripe but somewhat over extracted and astringent in the finish with a lot of oak showing. There's potential if the finesse can be brought forward. (AG-ST)

89 Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard - OK Falls 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Big celery salt, thyme, savoury, barnyard, lees, rhubarb, light cherry and tobacco leaf aroma. Fresh, juicy, elegant, tight palate with some light, gritty tannin. Vanilla, raspberry jam, rhubarb, compost, tobacco, barnyard, saddle leather flavours with a savoury, tea finish. Good effort and youthful, should improve over the next few years and soften the residual tannins. (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reimer Vineyard Kelowna 2010
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Spicy, barnyard, meaty, tobacco, compost, rhubarb, vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with some firm tannin. Vanilla, coffee, strawberry jam, orange peel, herbal, tea, tobacco leaf, barnyard flavours with a warm, full finish. Good effort and fruit but would be even better with riper, softer tannins in the structure. (AG-ST)

87 Meyer Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Leafy, vanilla, compost, celery root, tobacco, spicy, rhubarb, meaty, light barnyard aromas with a bit of cherry. Dry, fresh, round, supple and light palate with rhubarb, sour cherry, spicy, tea leaf, herbal, barnyard, rooty, caraway, slightly meaty, coffee flavours. Solid effort in a cool style with some light tannins on the finish. (AG-ST)

87 Mission Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $19.00 private wine stores, NS $31.00, ON $23.00 Vintages Essential, QC $25.25
All Okanagan here with a tight, balsamic, smoky dried herb nose with bits of black cherry, leather, coffee, and tobacco. The attack is warm and the entry is soft with fairly rich tannins, cranberry and coffee and liquorice flavours with vanilla and cigar ash in the background. A slightly drier version than 07 with tannin yet to be absorbed. Serve it now with roasted or grilled beef or cellar through 2014. (AG)

89 Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, AB $20.00 private wine stores, MB $20.00, ON $20.00, QC $20.00, SK $20.00
Honey, light butter, floral, vanilla, spicy lees nose with baked green apple, grapefruit and pea skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, elegant entry on the light side with an austere edge. Grassy, grapefruit, honey, nutty lees, spicy, butter, vanilla, quince and pear flavours. A very solid, fresher style with some structure and a lighter mid-palate. Drink now and over the next year or so with a variety of seafood. (AG-ST)

87 Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 general listing, AB $15.00 private wine shops, MB $17.00, NB $17.00, NS $17.00, ON $14.15, SK $18.00
Mission Hill continues to churn out a super fresh pinot gris in the grigio style mixing citrus and pear notes with bits lees and honey all in a clean refreshing style. Consistently well made with attention to detail. Good value here especially with shellfish and creamy seafood and or pasta dishes. (AG)

87 Mission Hill Pinot Noir Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $25.00 fine wine boutiques, NS $25.00, ON $25.00 Vintages, QC $24.00
Cherry, earthy, tobacco, herbal, stewed prune, celery root, spicy, vanilla nose. Dry, elegant, juicy palate with some light, lean tannin. Cedar, tobacco, spicy, worsteshire, herbaceous, peppery, rhubarb and coffee flavours. Good juiciness but the finish is warm and a bit astringent. Needs a year or so to soften and improve. Try it now with roast pork. (AG-ST)

87 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $25.00 private wine shops, MB $25.00, NB $24.00, SK $25.00
Lime, marzipan, green apple, matchstick, light petrol aromas. Fresh, round, off dry palate with green apple skin, pear, honey, grapefruit rind and lemon oil flavours with a touch of lime rind on the finish. Juicy, slightly austere style. Try it with spicy sushi favourites. (AG-ST)

90 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Ice Wine 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $60.00 (375 ml) winery direct and private wine shops, AB $45.00 (375 ml) fine wine shops
Light gold colour. Waxy, lime, baked green apple, lifted, plasticene, apple skin and orange aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, sweet but balanced with apricot, honey, citrus, bruised green apple, honey, slightly volatile flavours. Seems a bit advanced and somewhat lifted at this stage. It may need another year in the bottle to settle down. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, NB $20.00, ON $20.00
The reserve sauvignon gets a dusting of oak to add a bit of weight and texture to what is a mostly skinny wine with nettle, grapefruit, green apple grassy lees aromas and passion fruit flavours. The attack is juicy and fresh and screams for seafood. Try this with west coast oysters or mussels. Well done. (AG)

92 Mission Hill Vidal Ice Wine Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 (375 ml) specialty listing, AB $38.00 (375 ml) private wine shops
Big lime, green apple, honey, apricot, orange, plasticene aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full, sweeter style but good acidity and texture. Apricot, orange peel, lime, green apple, floral, plasticene flavours. Very good intensity and balance with good freshness now. (AG)

89 Mission Hill Viognier Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 restaurants only
Bright citrus, floral, honey, light lees aromas flecked with green apple skin and light sausage and creamsicle notes. Fresh, juicy, crisp, off dry palate with a touch of oiliness. Red apple, honey, nectarine, ginger, grapefruit rind and spice flavours. Solid fruit and balance to match with spicy seafood dishes. A consistent performer from Mission Hill that is easy to recommend. (ST)

90 Moon Curser Afraid of the Dark 2010 Viognier - Roussanne - Marsanne
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct
This is all-Osoyoos grown fruit that may surprise those who regularly suggest it's too hot to make white wine in the south. Each of the three varieties is fermented separately before blending but there is no oak in the mix, yeah! Viognier marsanne and roussanne signal a tight Rhone-style blend and despite its name - Afraid of the Dark, it is a white wine to die for. We love its fresh, peachy, ginger/nectarine aromas and fruit. The palate is equally intense and electric. Well done again. Don't be afraid of the packaging but be forewarned the wine is far more serious than it looks. (AG-ST)

90 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
The '08 is a fine upgrade in the previous edition adding riper fruit to an intoxicating mix of savoury, peppery, black fruit aromas. The attack is dry and rich with savoury, liquorice, dried herb and black cherry fruit. We love the balance here and the sweet tannins that make the difference in the finish. Roast lamb anyone? (AG-ST)

87 Noble Ridge Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.90 winery direct
There is plenty of potential here with big, floral, nectarine skin aromas and a good whack of lees and brioche on the nose. The palate is full and oaky with baked apple a touch of marzipan, citrus leesy flavours and fresh acidity throughout. A ready-to-drink, slightly older style, chardonnay that would be perfect with crab or halibut. (AG-ST)

87 Noble Ridge Mingle 2009 Pinot Grigio - Chardonnay - Viognier - Gewurztraminer
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct
The fermentation for Mingle is halted before the end to better save the rich honey characters of the pinot gris and make it a little more friendly on the patio. It still has the classic tropical fruit nuances but with a touch of sweetens that allows it to be used as an aperitif before dinner while your friend "mingle" or even better to knock down the heat and spice on your favourite curries. (AG-ST)

88 Painted Rock Merlot 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Chocolate, prune, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco, cedar, barnyard, leather, savoury aromas. Dry, tight, fresh palate with grainy tannins. Coffee, chocolate, prune, earthy, peppery, briary, tobacco, resin, black tea flavours with a savoury, cedar finish. It is oaky and dry at this point masking the fruit and will need another two to four years in bottle to develop properly. (AG-ST)

89 Painted Rock Red Icon 2009 Merlot - Malbec - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $55.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Big espresso, chocolate, cedar, vanilla, prune, tobacco, liquorice, resin, savoury aromas with a bit of cherry jam and cranberry. Dry, fresh, somewhat tart entry with light, grainy tannins. Intense vanilla, cedar, smoky coffee, chocolate, resin, licorice, meaty, tobacco, prune and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is very warm and oaky. This needs at least five years to better integrate in bottle but that said we would love to see this blend back off the new oak and add a bit of fruitiness and terroir. (AG-ST)

88 Painted Rock Syrah 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
There is nothing shy about this big spicy brooding black fruit scented syrah with a dollop of Okanagan sage. Both ripe and rich it exudes a New World syrah stance mixing liquorice, smoky, black tea and roasted meat characters flecked with plums and spicy oak. This should be a much better bottle in five years but you can drink it now with grilled lamb. (AG-ST)

87 Peller Estates Private Reserve Riesling 2010
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
ON $17.00
Bright fresh nose with a streak of diesel/Vaseline. Fresh citrus attack with prominent acidity, melon and peach flavours. Super crisp and clean this wine will match a variety of foods. A perfect match for the oily flavours you find in salmon. (AG-ST)

88 Peller Estates Private Reserve Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, AB $25.00 private wine shops
Smoky, tobacco leaf, sausage meat, peppery, vanilla, sage aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with vanilla, sage, liquorice, peppery, poultry spice, chocolate, coffee, meaty flavours with some coconut and mace. Easy to ike and sip commercial style with a big dollop of sweet oak. (AG-ST)

87 Pentâge Winery Gamay Noir 2010
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.50 winery direct, private wine shops
Pentâge continues to impress me with the finesse and styling of its wine. Case in point is this gamay. The nose is clean and fresh with spicy red berry notes. The attack is supple but mouth-filling. It's looking a little pinot-like thanks to fresh black cherry fruit finish. Classy. (AG-ST)

88 Pentâge Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.50 winery direct, private wine shops
Our first look at a straight sauvignon form Pentâge ad we like its style. The nose is tropical with pear pineapple notes all over a bony, stony, mineral underbelly. More smoke and mineral marks its fresh, grassy, citrus palate and clean finish. A perfect seafood wine. (AG-ST)

90 Pentâge Winery Viognier 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.50 winery direct, private wine shops
Floral, butter, ginger, lees, honeysuckle, nectarine aromas. Round, fresh, soft palate with honey, butter, lees, ginger, baked pear, orange peel flavours. Good solid styling in a buttery style that you can drink now. Superclean and fresh under screwcap. Love the new low price too. (AG-ST)

88 Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $20.00 private wine stores, NS $24.00, ON $20.00, SK $20.00
Oatmeal, garlic, canned fruit, melon, butter, peach aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, off dry palate with grapefruit, green apple, cedar, butter, honey, lees and hazelnut flavours. Very citrus, leesy, austere style designed for food. (AG-ST)

89 Quails' Gate Chardonnay Stewart Family Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores, AB $30.00 private wine shops, MB $27.00, ON $33.00 consignment - Hobbs & Co. Wine Merchants, QC $32.00
Vanilla, creamy, nutty lees, light garlic, butter, baked green apple, pear aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy but slightly sweet entry. Buttery diacetyl, nutty lees, green apple, honey, vanilla, cedar, earthy, grapefruit flavours with a grassy note. Good finesse but light and a bit short for a reserve. Serve this with fresh halibut. (AG-ST)

89 Quails' Gate Late Harvest Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 specialty listing, AB $30.00 fine wine shops, MB $30.00, ON $30.00, SK $30.00
Optima rises above its station once infected by botrytis. The sweet honeyed orange rind, apricot and floral nose comes with a twist of complexity. The palate remains fresh and inviting the flavours elegant and intense with enough sugar acid tension to keep it all interesting. A delicious dessert style wine you can serve solo, with chocolate and or nutty cakes. (AG-ST)

90 Quails' Gate Late Harvest Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 (375 ml) specialty listing, AB $30.00 (375 ml) fine wine shops, MB $30.00, SK $30.00
Fresh floral, apricot, waxy, honey, baked apple, lime aromas with a touch of balsamic. Elegant, light, fresh palate with good acidity and sweetness balance. Green apple, honey, floral, spicy, lime and pear flavours with a touch of egg yolk. Nice finesse in a lighter style for current drinking now under screw cap so this will keep a long time. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $24.00 private wine stores, MB $24.00, ON $25.00 consignment - Hobbs & Co. Wine Merchants, QC $26.00, SK $25.00
Soft cedar-y, black cherry aromas with bits of dried herbs, tobacco leaf and earthy green tea aromas. Despite a soft almost sweet entry the tannins immediately swarm across your palate quickly drying out this red. Look for a spicy warm black olive, dried tomato and tobacco flavours with a warm resiny burn in the finish. Needs a big juicy steak at this stage ar five more years in bottle. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $24.00 private wine stores, MB $24.00, ON $25.00 consignment - Hobbs & Co. Wine Merchants, QC $26.00, SK $25.00
Similar on the nose to last year with cool, floral cedar-y, black cherry aromas with a dusting of dried herbs. The entry is supple and this year the softness extends through the finish. On the palate the wine offers up a spicy, tart, red fruit characters with bits of tobacco and dried cranberries in the finish. All in all a lean northwest merlot that is best served with grilled meats. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Another year another classic foch reserve. Rich gamey cedar-y meaty this wine has bit of the 'it' factor that compensates for its lowly DNA. The flavours are big mixing espresso and cedar with game, spice and leather. The finish is fresh with a good dollop of toasted oak. Try this with venison. (AG-ST)

88 Quails' Gate Pinot Gris 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 wine club only
Delicious ripe fresh with a twist of lees describes the first ever pinot gris we tasted by Quails' Gate. Okay it's a bit sauvignon blanc-like but the outcome is still an eminently drinkable slightly sweet, fruity, fresh style white wine that consumers will enjoy with or without food. Love intensity and citrus theme tempered by dusting of lees in the finish. Wine Club members only. What a shame. (AG-ST)

88 Road 13 Honest John's White 2010 Riesling - Kerner - Bacchus - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Viognier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
The latest Honest John is a big jump up in quality with 58 percent riesling at the centre of the blend. The rest is a 5/18/4/12/3/ mix of sauvignon blanc, kerner, chardonnay, bacchus, and viognier. The nose is an explosive aromatic mix fruits that include melon and red grapefruit with a dash of honey. The palate is super fresh with more pear green apple and melon fruit with perfect tension between the acidity and sweetness. A wonderful wine for turkey. (AG-ST)

87 Rocky Creek Pinot Gris 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Grassy, gooseberry, sweaty grapefruit rind, green apple aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate with gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple, butter flavours with a cool floral note. Solid cool climate style that will work well with seafood, chicken, and pan Asian dishes. (AG-ST)

88 Rocky Creek Wild Blackberry 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 (500 ml) winery direct
Intense blackberry jam, liquorice, smoky aromas jump from the glass. The attack is juicy and sweet with some underlying tart notes that mix with smoky, ripe black berry jam, pepper, and balsamic flavours. Lots of intensity and true to the berry style. Well done. (AG-ST)

87 Rollingdale Cabernet Sauvignon Le Gauche 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Big tobacco leaf, herbal, green olive, green bean, cassis, smoky leather and light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, light palate with balanced acidity but a bit lean. Cassis, herbal, roast pepper, tobacco leaf, cedar, smoky, meaty, olive and resin flavours with a smoky oak, vanilla finish. Offers finesse like the merlot but on a much greener scale. Will improve over the next few years. (AG-ST)

89 Rollingdale Merlot Le Droit 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Tobacco, spicy, black olive, cherry, plum, light floral and barnyard aromas. Smooth, round, supple and elegant palate with plum, carrot top, tobacco, earthy, spicy, vanilla, meaty flavours with a touch of barnyard and cedar. A very feminine style without big extraction but solid fruit. A big step forward in style and quality. Drink now or keep for 2-4 years. (AG-ST)

89 Russell A Wee Angry Scotch Ale N/V
British Columbia, Canada
BC $5.50 (650 ml)
Good fine light brown head with a spicy, malty, molasses, earthy, fruity nose. Fresh, rich, full bodied style with some sweetness and light bitterness. Roasted barley, toffee. Earthy, molasses, spicy flavours with a lightly bitter finish. A bit sweet but well balanced. (AG-ST)

88 Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, BC Liquor stores, VQA and private wine shops, AB $19.99 private wine shops, MB $17.00, ON $17.00, SK $18.00
Sandhill has done a fine job managing this vineyard and trimming the oak and fat out of this wine. The 2010 offers up some enticing honey, spicy, baked apple, vanilla and lees character with peach, butterscotch and oatmeal notes. The attack is fresh and juicy if slightly sweet with more butter, vanilla, nutty lees, pineapple, honey, baked apple and lemon flavours. The finish is a bit warm but with solid fruit and balance. (AG)

88 See Ya Later Ranch Rover 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $27.00 private wine stores
Peppery, black berry jam, spicy, meaty, vanilla, chocolate, poultry spice, licorice, five spice, orange peel aromas with a bit of tobacco leaf. Full, round, dry, fresh palate with some light, grainy tannin. Smoky, tobacco, savoury, vanilla, floral, ginger, black berry, peppery, poultry spice flavours. A bit light on mid-palate concentration but has an attractive style for 2-4 years aging. (AG-ST)

87 Serendipity Pinot Noir 2007
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Serendipity ages its pinot in older wood. The style is soft, the nose spicy with resiny, meaty, rhubarb, forest floor undertones and with a fairly dry mid-palate. There is a modicum of red fruits on the palate but the finish is dry and spicy. Needs a fatty duck dish to be at its best or a mushroom risotto. A slightly cleaner version going forward would be welcome. Good potential. (AG-ST)

88 Stoneboat Vineyards Chorus 2010 Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc - Viognier - Muller Thurgau - Kerner - Schönburger
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Stoneboat has a firm fresh handle on this blend and have one of the best aromatic blends in the valley. It's the minerality that makes this odd-ball mix of grapes: pinot gris, pinot blanc, viognier, kerner, müller-thurgau and schönburger work. Just like last year its citrus, red apple, lime rind flavours flecked with peach make it a delight to sip. (AG-ST)

88 Stoneboat Vineyards Faux Pas Rosé 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
The Faux Pas is a mix of early harvested pinot noir and cabernet franc presumably fresh and crisp. The colour is eye of the partridge perfect, the nose bright and refreshing with hits of citrus, cranberries and ripe rhubarb. The finish is essentially dry and crisp. A home run for its lively fresh demeanour. A super pink for a variety of West coast bites. (AG-ST)

90 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Blanc VLH 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 (375 ml) winery direct
Honey, citrus, ripe pear, butter, green apple and floral aromas. Ripe, sweet but fresh palate with moderate acidity. Clean, baked pear, honey, lime, butter, quince and apple flavours. Good delicacy and fruit flavours without being too heavy. Ready to drink now - 2 years. (AG-ST)

88 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Light ruby colour. Cooked strawberry, prune, barnyard, rhubarb, spicy, leafy, gamey aromas. Fresh, supple and slightly juicy, elegant palate. Smoky, vanilla, herbal, rhubarb, prune, coffee, strawberry jam flavours with a bit of compost. A tad oaky and tight now but offers solid pinot fruit and balance in a more elegant style. (AG-ST)

87 Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Private Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops, AB $16.00 private wine shops, ON $10.45
Open spicy, floral, light lychee, grapefruit rind, green apple aromas with a touch of soap and ginger. Fresh, easy, off dry palate with light honey, citrus, green apple, grassy, grapefruit, lychee, floral flavours. Fresh, juicy finish will appeal to many general consumers. (AG-ST)

87 Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut Méthode Classique 2007 Pinot Blanc - Pinot Noir - Chardonnay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00, AB $28.00, ON $20.00 Vintages
Medium fine mousse. Honey, baked pear, baked apple, toasty, citrus, peach, floral aromas. Foamy, round, sweeter style palate but lacks mid-palate. Baked apple, citrus, baked peach, spicy, toasty flavours. A fruitier, easy style that is ready to drink. (AG-ST)

87 Summerhill Pyramid Cellared Riesling Organic 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Big petrol, lemon oil, slate, spicy, baked green apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet but elegant palate with lemon oil, slate, petrol, nutty, nectarine and red apple flavours. Good finesse and acidity with low alcohol. If you like the petrol style, this is for you. (AG-ST)

87 Tantalus Chardonay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $23.00 private wine stores, SK $23.00
Butter, cedar, vanilla, lees, apple juice, lemon aromas. Round, dry, slightly oily and lean palate with apple skin, lees, nutty, spicy, waxy, buttery, lemon flavours. A very lean, leesy style in search of abit more fruit and texture. (AG-ST)

91 Tantalus Old Vines Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 specialty listing
Old Vines is the definition of iconoclastic. Freethinking and individualistic, the fruit (essentially grown organically) comes off a single block planted in 1978. Expect super intense aromas of lime and lemon preview a palate that is equally intense offering up peachy stone fruit characters all with an incredible undercurrent of acidity. This wine will live forever but in the meantime you can drink it with just about any food just for fun. Stock up. (AG-ST)

88 Thornhaven Decadence 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $0.00 (375 ml) winery direct, VQA wine stores, private wine shops
Very pale orange colour. Baked citrus, candied apple, strawberry jam aromas. Soft, fresh, easy palate with honey, buttery, baked apple, citrus, strawberry candy flavours. Simple, fresh, juicy style with moderate sweetness. (AG-ST)

87 Thornhaven Evolution 2008 Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct, VQA wine stores, private wine shops
Menthol, black olive, cedar, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, peppery, light barnyard aromas. Dry, tight, fresh, full palate with some gritty tannin. Coffee, chocolate, cedar, minty, vanilla, tobacco leaf, tea and cherry jam flavours. Very youthful and oaky now, should improve with 2-4 years aging but the artificial cork might be limiting. (AG-ST)

87 Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Red Oldfield Series 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Peppery, barnyard, sweaty leather nose with nuances of chocolate, vanilla, cranberry and savoury black olive and cassis aromas. Dry, round, warm and somewhat tart palate with light but lean tannins. Cranberry, tobacco leaf, herbal, green olive, green bean, peppery, savoury, coffee, smoky roasted bell pepper flavours. A somewhat austere style that will need more time in the bottle to come around. (AG-ST)

87 Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 vqa and private wine shops
Classic cool climate franc with floral, cranberry, tobacco leaf notes mixed with pepper, olive, barnyard and smoky tomato leaf. The attack is fresh and round with light, grainy tannins. Coffee, cedar, tobacco leaf, smoky herb, barnyard, saddle leather, cranberry, chocolate, vanilla flavours. Solid now but will be better in a year or two with some bottle age. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek Kerner Icewine 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 (200 ml) winery direct
Honey, baked pear, dried apricot, citrus and butter aromas with a volatile note. Ripe, fresh, round and juicy palate with softer, creamy acidity. Butter, baked orange, honey, lime, pear and apple flavours. Good fruit and balance with a touch of volatility on the finish. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $28.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
Spicy, cedar, cherry, barnyard, coffee, vanilla, cranberry, olive, tobacco leaf aromas with a touch of prune. Round, dry, smooth palate with light, grainy tannins. Cherry, prune, cedar, smoky, tobacco flavours flecked with pepper, chocolate and savoury olive flavours. Good concentration if a bit fresh on the finish. Needs a couple of years to round out. (AG-ST)

87 Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Syrah 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores (Fall 2009)
Open spicy, meaty, floral nose with bits of blackberry, coffee, sage, and olives. The attack is dry and supple with some mid-palate acidity poking through. The palate is a mix of smoky, savoury, meaty, dried herb and blueberries flavours. Another good effort that only needs a bit more fruit to really shine. The fruit comes off both the Golden Mile and Black Sage Benches. (AG-ST)

87 Township 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Typical Okanagan black olive, green bean, tobacco, cassis, smoky, peppery, cedar aromas. The attack is soft and fresh, the palate elegant with light tannins. Saddle leather, earthy, peppery, cedar, and tobacco leaf, herbal, resin flavours with a bit bell pepper and bitter herbs mark the flavours and finish with flecks of vanilla to spic it up for current consumption. (AG-ST)

87 Township 7 Merlot 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing
Floral, cherry, coffee, menthol nose with black olive, tobacco, vanilla, herbal aromas. Dry, round, full, supple and suave palate with fresh acidity. The attack is clean with cedar, mint, cherry jam, prune, espresso, vanilla, black olive, leather, tea flavours. Trendy style with a very oaky, herbal finish. (AG-ST)

87 Unconventional Wisdom Naysayer Cabernet Franc 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Earthy, smoky, saddle leather, cedar, cranberry, prune, briary, riparian, tobacco aromas. Dry, elegant but tight palate with some chewy tannins and juicy acidity. Cedar, vanilla, olive, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, smoky, leather, cranberry, cherry flavours. Finish is very warm and a bit sweet and sour with some dry tannins and lots of oak. Needs a few years to settle down. A good start for an inaugural release. (AG-ST)

93 Van Westen Vineyards Vice 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 (200 ml) winery direct and private wine shops
A first in viognier ice wine, at least for us. Big candied, ginger, orange peel, floral nose with spicy, minty, honey aromas and a touch of raisin. Fresh, juicy, sweet palate but balanced with creamy acidity. Honey, ginger, lychee, orange peel, dried apricot, minty, floral flavours. Intense, juicy, long palate. Fine effort here and fairly priced. (AG-ST)

87 Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Honey, floral, pear, citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp palate with grapefruit, pear, and white peach and green apple flavours. Delicate, fresh style with good fruit and balance. Continued fine styling. (AG-ST)

88 Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Floral, prune, cherry jam, slightly volatile aromas of tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, cedar and coffee aromas. Dry, full, round but firm palate with cedar, tobacco, pepper, Christmas pudding, cherry jam, cranberry, barnyard and prune flavours. Somewhat dry and austere on the palate. Try it now with grilled meats or age this for five years in bottle. (AG-ST)

88 Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops march '06
Ripe cherry jam, dried cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, spicy, savoury, peppery, clove, cedar, meaty aromas with a bit of tobacco and orange peel. Dry, tight, full palate with some grainy tannin. Smoky, peppery, cherry jam, prune, cranberry, cigar, peppery, vanilla, coffee, olive, meaty, barnyard flavours. Good fruit concentration but an austere finish with some volatility and prune notes. Needs 2-4 years. (AG-ST)

87 Van Westen Vineyards Vulture 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 estimated retail
Intense barnyard, cedar, leather and prune notes with dried cranberry, cherry and vanilla aroma. Full, round, ripe palate with grainy tannins. Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, dried cherry, cranberry, prune, savoury, saddle leather and floral flavours. Very ripe fruit with good concentration but the oak is fairly overt and it is showing early signs of volatility. (AG-ST)

87 Wild Goose Autumn Gold 2010 Riesling - Gewurztraminer
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Spicy, rose petal, matchstick, red apple, honey, peach and citrus rind aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet entry with red apple, lime, ginger, spicy, floral, nectarine flavours. Good fruit and elegance if a bit too sweet for the acidity. Best with spicy Pan Asian dishes. (AG-ST)

88 Wild Goose Mystic River Pinot Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
This is a lovely floral mineral "German" edition of this wine bringing elegance and style to the category. Expect afresh zippy attack with citrus and butter mixing with juicy, mineral, green apple flavours and a hint of orange. Well done. Serve with halibut and a fruit salas. (AG-ST)

87 Wild Goose Pinot Gris 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 speculative listing - Peacock and Martin
Spicy, honey, floral, citrus, baked green apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, somewhat sweet entry with soft acidity. Honey, butter, spicy, ginger, floral, apricot skin flavours. Good intensity but finish is quite sweet and a touch rind-y. (AG-ST)

87 Young & Wyse Collection Merlot 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 speculative listing - Landmark Wines
Chocolate, vanilla, black cherry jam, spicy, cedar ball, menthol, prune aromas. Fresh, round, dry palate with light tannins. Espresso, chocolate, cherry jam, prune, menthol, compost, tobacco, olive flavours. Juicy, cherry finish. Solid effort. (AG-ST)