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88 8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Meunier Rose 2009 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBC $19.00 winery directAnother well-made delicious wine from 8th Generation.
88 8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Meunier Rose 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Another well-made delicious wine from 8th Generation. Love the bright citrus fruit character and the light red berry fruit you get on the nose and palate with just a dash of sweetness in the finish. So fresh and bright so appealing this is a terrific bottle of rosé. (AG-ST)
89 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Light lees and mineral nose with apricot, citrus and honey aromas. The entry is bright and fresh with zesty acidity and just the right mix of sweet limey mango fruit. Impressive styling and fun to drink. Bravo. Try it with pork or spicy Asian dishes. (AG-ST)
90 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling 2008
Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Lovely zesty white fruit aromas with mineral, peach and apricot notes. The palate is lively and elegant and still quite youthful with red apple, lime, mineral, nectarine flavours that finish long. Amazing wines that speak to the 8 generations of knowledge gathered by this family. (AG-ST)
91 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Classic 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Made from 20-plus year old vines, this classic style riesling has 9 per cent residual sugar but you barley detect it with the acidity so bright and fresh. Crisp crunchy citrus fruit with a dash of red apples this is a wine with endless food possibilities. A B.C. riesling for grownups. Well done. (AG-ST)
88 Arrowleaf Pinot Gris 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The grapes for the gris are grown at Suncrest Vineyard in Okanagan Centre and Wendell Orchards in Carr's Landing. Look for ripe apple, spicy, pear, melon aromas with floral mineral undertones. The palate is fresh with peach and rear fruit flavours. Good complexity for the price and delicious. (AG-ST)
89 Arrowleaf Solstice Gewurztraminer 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Very strong, clean varietal nose with lychee, sausage, orange, rose petal, ginger, peach skin aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style with just a touch of sweetness but good acidity. Rose petal, honey, peach fuzz, sausage, and light lychee, citrus and mineral flavours. Well balanced, elegant style with good varietal character. (AG-ST)
87 Arrowleaf Solstice Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Celery salt, rooty, dried herb, spicy, savoury, menthol, barnyard rhubarb and strawberry aromas. Round, dry, supple but tart palate. Rhubarb, strawberry, carrot top, celery root, tobacco leaf and resin flavours with some coffee and herb notes on the finish. Offers solid fruit and balance in a more delicate pinot style for current drinking. (AG-ST)
89 Black Hills Alibi 2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Pink grapefruit, passion fruit, nettle, lemon, light floral aromas with a touch of honey. Round, fresh, elegant, cool style with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit, gooseberry, lemon thyme, mineral, ginger, chalky flavours. Alibi is fashioned after the sauvignon blanc sémillon blends of the Loire Valley and works well with seafood dishes. (AG-ST)
89 Black Hills Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Light nutty, citrus, lees, spicy, waxy, vanilla aromas with a touch of baked pear and apple. Round, dry, juicy, slightly salty palate with citrus, green apple, grassy, nutty, vanilla, honey and garlic flavours. Finish is elegant with light garlic, smoky note. Serve with simply prepared seafood or chicken dishes. (AG-ST)
87 Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2009 Gewurztraminer - Chard - P.Gris - Optima - Pinot B - Ehrenfel
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing, AB $26.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Much like last year this spicy, floral, fruit salad is swimming in rose petals, citrus and passion fruit aromas and flavours. The finish is soft and round with more citrus rind and peachy/lychee flavours. Try this one on the patio before dinner or with your favourite curry dish. (AG-ST)
88 Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $25.00 fine wine shops
Light vanilla cream, nutty lees, baked green apple, honey, waxy, floral and smoke aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate if light bodied with grapefruit, green apple, lemon, spicy lees, and light vanilla, smoky, grassy flavours. Very crisp, citrusy style with a bit of oak and lees. Solid styling for seafood. (AG-ST)
90 Blue Mountain Chardonnay Reserve (Stripe Label) 2007
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 special order - Keystone Fine Wines
Lemon, marzipan, spicy lees, pear, light melon, green apple skin, garlic, vanilla aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Earthy, slate, baked apple skin, garlic, nutty lees, spicy, citrus, nectarine skin flavours. Much in the style of a premier cru Chablis with a bit more oak. Attractive style for food but can age further. Solid value here. (AG)
89 Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut N/V Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot Gris
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Light fine, continuous mousse. Brioche, baked pear, green apple, nutty, honey, peach aromas with a touch of citrus. Crisp, dry, slightly foamy palate but good finesse and acidity. Nutty, lemon, earthy, peach pit, spicy, green apple, pear and honey flavours. A delicate, more austere style with lots of citrus and apple but will go well with food. Affordable, well-made, New World sparkling wine. (AG-ST)
88 Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Guava, nutty lees, light butter, canned artichoke aromas with fresh peach pit and granny smith aromas. Round, elegant, softer palate with grapefruit rind, green guava, passion fruit, light butter and green apple flavours. Good overall balance and texture. A solid effort at a very fair price. (AG)
88 Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $25.00 fine wine shops
Light butter, earthy, baked pear, citrus, seaweed, seashell, almond aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and crisp but good texture. Light butter, nutty garlic lees, lemon, green apple, pear skin flavours with a touch of seashore. Very crisp, juicy, slightly austere finish that is reminiscent of Chablis yet made from pinot gris. (AG-ST)
89 Blue Mountain Pinot Gris Reserve (Stripe Label) 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 special order - Keystone Fine Wines
Very nutty, garlic, spicy, (Euro) buttery, waxy, light honey and baked pear aromas. Round, dry, crisp, somewhat lean but balanced palate with green apple, garlic lees, nutty, grassy, grapefruit, and seashell flavours. Good structure but a more austere, tart style for food, especially oysters or calamari. Drink up. (AG-ST)
87 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Floral, barnyard, carrot top, lees, cherry, strawberry, mineral, light herbal nose. Round, dry, supple, slightly lean and fresh palate with rhubarb, strawberry jam, barnyard, earthy, compost, coffee, cola flavours. Finish is dry and fresh with a slight astringency and bitter herb note in the finish. (AG)
89 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir Reserve (Stripe Label) 2007
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $36.00 special order - Keystone Fine Wines
Cherry jam, light strawberry, barnyard, light leather, compost, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, supple, elegant plate with strawberry, leather, coffee, tobacco, celery, orange peel and dried herbs. Finish is dry and warm with a savoury note and a touch of licorice. Could use a bit more texture but a solid effort. (AG)
91 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 winery direct, AB $35.00 fine wine shops
This wine was a knockout at the Canadian Wine Awards and that is always saying something given the numerous quality cab francs entered from Ontario. The BOV franc has a bit of that Cheval Blanc mineral thing under its ripe, rich, spicy, earthy, black fruit. Just a whiff of local sage pulls the entire wine together. It will keep a decade handily. In fact, in 2017 you might want to serve it with Cheval to see how they both hold up. Impressive as always. (AG-ST)
89 Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $34.00 private wine stores
Very ripe, honeyed nose with nutty lees, vanilla, citrus, baked apple, ripe pear and lanolin aromas with a touch of garlic. Round, soft, slightly oily palate with a bit of sweetness. Very smoky, nutty, vanilla, saline, spicy, baked apple skin and grapefruit flavours. A bit lean and warm on the finish but an otherwise solid effort. Try this with grilled halibut. (AG-ST)
87 CedarCreek Estate Chardonnay 2008
British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing
Big leesy nose with celery, grassy, waxy, vanilla, nutty, buttery aromas. Round, slightly lean entry with grapefruit, nutty, garlic, spicy, butter, honey, mineral, apple skin flavours. It finishes on the tart side with a touch of garlic lees lending it some complexity. Drink now or through the next year. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Estate Ehrenfelser 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Floral, spicy, tangerine, ripe apple, nectarine, canned pink grapefruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly sweet entry with tangerine, melon rind, gooseberry, spicy, granny smith, light butter and peach flavours. Good juicy, fun style for food and summer. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Estate Gewürztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing
Floral, grapefruit, orange, sausage meat, ginger, spicy nose. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet palate with grapefruit, mineral, ginger, green apple, spicy, lychee flavours. Simple, fresh, citrusy style with good varietal character. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Estate Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct, BC Liquor stores, VQA and private wine shops
The CedarCreek style is rich and juicy with aromas of black cherries and five spice. The fruit is taken off the home vineyard at the winery and across the lake at Greata Ranch. The tannins are slightly bigger this year but the wine is otherwise drinkable at this stage with a piece of duck, turkey or barbecued chicken. It is aged in a mix of new and one-year old French barriques. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2009
British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Seven vineyards make up the CedarCreek blend which contains is 83 per cent stainless steel fermented juice. The other 17 per cent is briefly barrel fermented for 60 days to add some creamy textures and mouthfeel. Look for bright fruit notes of spiced peach and honey with some underlying mineral and citrus notes with a slightly warm finish. Try this with barbecued vegetable and pork kebabs. (AG-ST)
87 CedarCreek Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Black olive, tobacco, barnyard, saddle leather, savoury herb, cedar bark, leafy, cassis aromas. Dry, warm, tart but full entry. Tobacco, green olive, green bean, coffee, peppery, dill and soupy cassis flavours. Solid but just too much on the green side with tea tannin finish. (AG-ST)
90 CedarCreek Platinum Malbec 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $55.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Very spicy, peppery, savoury, dried herb, iodine, medicinal, resin, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco and coffee aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple, grainy palate and juicy. Plum, cherry, chocolate, tobacco, peppery, sage, liquorice, dried herb, smoky mushroom flavours. A bit warm but good texture and fruit. A bit stemmy at this point it should improve in bottle. We expect the vines will do likewise, given how young they are. Only 84 cases made. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Platinum Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 VQA stores / private wine shops/winery
Peppery, clove, vanilla, spicy, blackberry jam, tobacco, barnyard, saddle leather and meat aromas with a bit of roasted pepper. Round, dry, elegant but a bit hollow. Fresh with clove, poultry, spicy, savoury, oaky, milk chocolate, tobacco and black cherry flavours with a bit of mint and resin on the finish and some green tea tannins. Needs a few years to integrate but appears to lack some stuffing. (AG-ST)
88 CedarCreek Riesling 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Floral, red apple, lanolin, honey, peach, citrus aromas. Fresh, round, easy style with a bit of sweetness. Good spicy, nectarine, lime, grapefruit, honey flavours with a bit of petrol and slate. Good intensity and fruity, juicy style but a bit too sweet and warm on the finish. Friendly for all. (AG-ST)
87 Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.90 winery direct, restaurants
Grassy fresh, sea breeze, honey nose with bits of vanilla. The entry is round and soft with sweet lime fruit, butter, melon, ripe grapefruit flavours. Still a bit too woody for oysters but this is g but Good solid fruit core and balance if a touch oaky on the finish. Good stuff. Love to see it a bit drier and more austere. (AG)
87 Fork in the Road Oliver Block 212 White 2008 Chardonnay - Pinot Gris - Semillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 private wines stores, AB $19.00 private wine stores
Floral, spicy, ginger, melon, butter, baked green apple, citrus aromas. Round, fresh, elegant palate with a bit of sweetness. More bright green apple, butter, melon, orange, grapefruit flavours flecked with spicy ginger and grassy, mineral flavours. A simple, fresh, fruity style you can serve as an apéritif or try it with seafood Chinese style. (AG-ST)
87 Garry Oaks Blanc de Noir 2009
Burgoyne Valley, Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 speculative listing - Red Dog
Expect a spot on Provence in colour, pink/orange and a fresh nose of citrus and strawberry. The entry is dry and fresh with lemony citrus notes and bits of candied cherries. The finish is clean and dry. A terrific rosé for food. (AG-ST)
87 Gray Monk Ehrenfelser 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, vqa and private wine stores
Dependable floral, peach skin, spicy, light ginger, passion fruit, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet palate with orange, grapefruit rind, peach, lime skin and slate flavours. Similar in style to last year, a fun drink for the summer or perhaps spicy seafood. (AG-ST)
88 Gray Monk Odyssey White Brut 2007 Riesling - Chardonnay Musque - Pinot Blanc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct, private wine shops
The Odyssey brut mixes riesling, and aromatic chardonnay clone musqué and a touch of pinot blanc to shape a super crisp clean fresh style sparkler that really calls for food. Ye wine spends 16 months on its lees to develop a pleasant yeasty bread dough character that offsets its subtle notes of citrus and nectarine skin. The finish is super crisp. Try with shellfish. (AG-ST)
87 Herder Chardonnay Twin Benches 2007
British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Butter, lanolin, light nutty lees, baked apple, pear aromas. Very round, fat, warm entry with a slight oiliness. Big hazelnut, lees, spicy, buttery, vanilla, waxy, honey, buttered popcorn flavours. Fully mature bigger oak style. (AG-ST)
89 Herder Pinot Gris 2009
British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct
The Herder gris is 100 per cent tank fermented and sees no oak throughout the ageing process. Winemaker Lawrence Herder is rightfully seeking to reveal the crisp minerality and cool citrus fruits of the Similkameen to offset the peachy tones of the Okanagan Valley fruit. The finish is ripe with just the right amount of honey and creamy lees to balance the wine. Very modern stylish gris that is textbook BC. Bring on the calamari. (AG-ST)
87 Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 Peacock & Martin
Cigar, smoky, cranberry, earthy, leather, black olive, caraway, barnyard, cedar aromas. Dry, moderately rich, slightly tart palate with grainy tannins. Smoky, coffee, savoury, vanilla, cranberry, cherry, tobacco, meaty, leather flavours. Somewhat rustic and chunky style for grilled meat. (AG-ST)
87 Hijas Bonitas Rosa 2008 Merlot - Gewurztraminer - Icewine
Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
A crazy blend of merlot, gewürztraminer and a dash icewine turns out to be pretty interesting. Fresh sweet berry citrus fruit with touch of litchi. Try this with spicy summer salads or barbecue meats. (AG-ST)
88 Hillside Estate Cabernet Franc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Open expressive Okanagan nose of dried, crush leaf mixed with red fruits, tobacco and mocha coffee vanilla aromas. Similar flavours mark the palate of this medium weight red that is cleaner and fresher than previous versions. The tannins are soft and light. You can hold it for a year or two or drink it now with something grilled on the barbecue. Well done. (AG-ST)
87 Hillside Estate Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 VQA Wine Stores
This is a solid effort and more what BC merlot is all about. Clean and round with fine red fruit aromas and flavours flecked with bits of dried herbs and a dash of mint and just a hint of acidty in the back end. Clean soft round long and ready to drink. Try this with a grilled steak. (AG)
88 Hillside Estate Pinot Gris Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Fresh clean floral, ginger, baked pear nose with citrus, lees and light butter aromas. Round, slightly sweet entry with nectarine, ginger, butter, lees, spicy, pear flavours. Juicy if slightly austere finish but with fine intensity. An easy match with West Coast cuisine. (AG)
88 Howling Bluff Pinot Noir 2007
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 private wine shops
Spicy, sour cherry, rhubarb nose with bits of mineral, cola and cool compost/forest floor aromas. The entry is dry, round and supple with cherry/cola, coffee, spicy, herbal, tobacco, beef and rhubarb flavours. A bit light yet with fine pinot textures and balance for current drinking. Good effort. (AG-ST)
87 Howling Bluff Pinot Noir 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $32.00 private wine shops
Expect a cool nose of celery, carrot top, rhubarb, worsteshire and raspberry/floral aromas. Soft, round, dry, light palate with strawberry rhubarb, cola, carrot, tobacco leaf and light compost flavours. The finish is a bit tart but there is texture and balance that suggest it will improve in bottle. (AG-ST)
87 Howling Bluff Sin Cera 2007 Merlot - Malbec
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.40 private wine shops
The mix is 72/15/13 merlot/cabernet franc and malbec. Expect an intense black cherry and earthy nose with a touch of Brett underneath. The palate is full-bodied with ripe plummy fruit flecked with vanilla and all in balance. The finish is smooth and long. Not cheap at $33+ but the style is promising and it should age further. (AG-ST)
89 Inniskillin Niagara Vidal Icewine Commemorative Edition 2006
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
BC $60.00 (375 ml), AB $60.00 (375 ml), ON $60.00 (375 ml), QC $60.00 (375 ml)
Big orange peel, nectarine, beach ball, spicy, baked green apple nose with a touch of pear and butter. Fresh, round, elegant palate with butter, baked nectarine, pear, orange, mineral, green apple and plasticene flavours. Good finesse but lacking a bit in intensity on the finish. (AG)
88 Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Petit Verdot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery only
Very peppery, inky, savoury, vanilla, poultry spice, earthy, black cherry aromas. Round, dry, fresh, supple palate with light tannins. Cassis, black cherry, savoury, vanilla, spicy, floral, coffee, chalky flavours. Good intensity and length. Should improve over the next year or so and soften out the light black tea tannins. Well done. A real discovery. (AG)
87 Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Sangiovese 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery only
This wine continues to improve in bottle as it develops a round, dry, elegant palate. Look for a cedar-y dry/tart entry with savoury, earthy, peppery, spicy, mineral, rooty, licorice, coffee, chocolate flavours with a bit of sour plum and cherry. The finish is a bit dusty with some light, leafy tannins but otherwise agreeable and will be excellent with meats base dishes. Think spaghetti Bolognese. (ST)
88 Inniskillin Okanagan Meritage Red Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2006 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $27.00 private wine shops, MB $21.00
Spicy, peppery, saddle leather, black berry, cassis, tobacco, green olive, vanilla, savoury nose with a touch of dried herbs. Round, dry, supple palate with light tannins. Coffee, peppery, blackberry, mocha, vanilla, black olive, tobacco leaf, cassis, sage, savoury flavours. Finish is somewhat warm and oaky but has solid balance for drinking now and over the next few years. Very solid effort. (AG-ST)
89 Inniskillin Okanagan Tempranillo Icewine 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $100.00 (375 ml) winery only
Light gold-rose colour. The nose offers up spicy, tobacco, peppery, herbal, strawberry jam and cooked rhubarb aromas. The palate is round, soft, elegant and ripe with moderate sweetness but soft acidity. Primary flavours are strawberry jam, cherry, tobacco, spicy, baked apple and citrus. Somewhat soft and cooked but the style is likeable, the price, not so much. (ST)
88 Joie A Noble Blend 2009 Gewurztraminer - Pinot Gris - Pinot Auxerrois - Riesling
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Very spicy, ginger, perfumed, minty, mineral, canned grapefruit, grassy, gooseberry aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with strong grapefruit rind, grassy, peach pit, green apple, light lychee, spicy, mineral flavours. Very dry, rind-y finish to go with most Asian food and summer salads. (AG-ST)
88 Joie Farm Rosé 2009 Pinot Noir - Gamay - Pinot Gris - Pinot Meunier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
A very lively exuberant rosé that looks and plays the part. The blend is a 42/33/15/10/mix of pinot noir, gamay, pinot meunier and pinot gris. The style is mostly southern French. The palate dry and crisp with a zesty, vibrant, strawberry character and a spicy, soft-ish finish. Just about everything you want in a summer sipping pink. Sip this solo or with a variety of summer style dishes especially al fresco. (AG-ST)
87 JoieFarm Riesling iv 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 restaurants, private wine shops
Floral litchi, green apple skin, candied nose. The palate is fresh and soft with a sweet entry and mid-palate and fairly pronounced acidity and slightly sour finish. The flavours are a mix of peach/melon/grapefruit and ginger with a touch of oiliness in the finish. A simple, tasty style for summer sipping or try with spicy Pan Asian cuisine. (AG-ST)
88 La Face Cachée de la Pomme 2007
Quebec, Canada
BC $25.00
Canned apple, touch of plasticene, spicy, mineral aromas. Ripe, rich, sweet entry but also very crisp with mineral, baked apple, cinnamon, light honey flavours. Fun iced-dessert style apple wine you can serve solo or with a variety of light fruity desserts. (AG-ST)
88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust White +23/9 2009 Pinot Gris- Viognier - Pinot Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.10 winery direct
Honey, rose petal, orange, spicy, ginger, nutty lees with light guava and peach aromas. Ripe, round, rich, slightly sweet entry but elegant. Butter, honey, floral, minty, ginger, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours sing out. The blend is "blind" unless you remove the capsule where the mix is revealed: 59/15/13/13 of pinot gris, viognier, pinot blanc and sauvignon blanc is revealed on the neck. Well made and executed if just a bit coarse at this young stage. Indian anyone? (AG-ST)
89 Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris +23/9 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Floral, grassy, green apple, butter, peach skin, citrus aromas. Ripe, round, fresh with a touch of sweetness. Buttery, peach skin, chalky, honey, nutty, earthy flavours. Finish is crisp and a bit on the austere side yet offers fine flavour intensity throughout. An impressive bottle of pinot gris. (AG-ST)
87 Laughing Stock Vineyards Viognier +1/10 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct
A first viognier from Laughing Stock is has a buttery, candied ginger, leesy, orange, honey, mineral, slightly floral nose. Round, rich, warm, slightly sweet entry with fresh acidity and more honey, candied orange peel, ginger, buttery, vanilla, anise, floral flavours. Finish is very warm and somewhat sweet with a bit of butterscotch and buttered popcorn. A fun sipping style that should be leaned out going forward to make it more food friendly. That said Thai or Indian dishes would work here. (AG-ST)
88 Martin's Lane Riesling 2009
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
An initial release based on collaboration between Mission Hill's owner and winemaker Anthony von Mandl and John Simes and well known Pfalz winery owner and winemaker Fritz Hasselbach. Expect a mineral, sea breeze, oyster shell nose with quite a soft-friendly palate with plenty of red apple/peach fruit flavours streaked with bits of orange and mineral. Solid, if a bit safe, for the first release. (AG)
88 Mission Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 specialty listing, AB $26.00 private wine stores, ON $23.00
Hmm another improved red form Mission Hill. Look for an attractive spicy, cassis, black cherry, leather, coffee, and tobacco nose sprinkles with dried herbs, smoky aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, elegant but tight palate with cassis, cranberry, leather, coffee, peppery, licorice, rooty, leather and vanilla flavours. Very juicy and a bit oaky with some light green tea tannins to shed. Good fruit character now but it will improve as it ages in bottle. Try it now with grilled beef. (AG)
87 Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, BC $19.00 specialty listing
Fresh, clean grapefruit, green apple, canned fruit cocktail aromas. Crisp, round, rind-y palate with butter, vanilla, pineapple, fruit cocktail, pear and apple flavours. Easy going seafood wine. (AG-ST)
88 Mission Hill Merlot Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $24.00 private wine stores, ON $23.15 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands, SK $25.00
Attractive southern Okanagan savoury nose with bits of coffee, blackberry, balsamic, tobacco and vanilla aromas. The entry is supple and sleek with light tannins and good acidity balance. Mocha, peppery, coffee, black cherry, plum fruit dominates the palate with some smoky, saddle leather notes and savoury, green olive on the finish. Appears close to maturity so don't be afraid to crack a bottle with a steak or a piece of roast beef. One of the best yet in the 'Reserve' series. (AG-ST)
87 Mission Hill Pinot Blanc Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Buttery, light nutty lees, vanilla, baked pear, red apple skin aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, creamy palate with butter, vanilla, mineral, grapefruit rind, and gooseberry, pear and granny smith flavours. Finish is quite tart and a bit austere at this stage but we expect this will age gracefully under screwcap. (AG-ST)
88 Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops, AB $19.00 private wine shops
The latest MHFE is pale yellow with a hint of pink. The nose is an attractive mix of florals, pink grapefruit, butter, green apple, peach and nutty, chalky aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with some elegance and juiciness with just a hint of austerity. Gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple, butter, melon rind, citrus, canned fruit, tropical flavours. Good solid style if a bit light. Try with scallops or sole. (AG-ST)
88 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Lime, grapefruit, butter, mineral, green apple skin, light petrol aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with green apple, lime, chalky, nectarine skin, slate flavours. Good finesse and freshness if a tad austere. Try with cold smoked salmon or mussels. (AG)
92 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Ice Wine 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $60.00 (375 ml) winery direct and private wine shops, AB $60.00 (375 ml) private wine shops
Whenever conditions are right MH seems to hit a home run with its riesling icewines. In this case a vibrant acidity sets off the creamy floral, nectarine aromas and flavours offering up a fresh elegant icewine that would be a delicious dessert in itself. Big sweet attention grabbing icewine with enough acidity to make you want more than just a glass. Well done. (AG-ST)
88 Mission Hill Rosé Five Vineyards 2009 Merlot - Pinot Noir
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 specialty listing
The style is fixed and we happy. Bright fresh lifted fruit flecked with strawberry, citrus, watermelon with like last year a dusting of minerality. Chill this wine down and sip it freely or try it with light spicy dishes. A lovely fresh style with just the right amount of sugar. (AG)
88 Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $22.00 fine wine boutiques
Mango, citrus, butter, vanilla, pear, floral, canned grapefruit aromas with a hint of grassiness. Fresh, round, elegant palate with spicy, pink grapefruit, pear, nutty, butter, vanilla, baked apple flavours. Good delicacy with a hint of sweetness and tropical fruit and grass on the finish. Ready to drink. (AG-ST)
87 Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $30.00 private wine shops
Peppery, spicy, savoury, floral, coffee, black cherry, black olive nose. Dry, fresh entry with some grainy tannins and a touch of austerity and more black olive, resin, tobacco, black cherry, bitter chocolate flavours. There is fine concentration here but finish is warm and lean. Needs another year or two to integrate further. Drink now with grilled meat. (AG-ST)
93 Mission Hill S.L.C. Riesling Icewine 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $80.00 (375 ml) specialty listing, AB $80.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $80.00 (375 ml) private order - Mark Anthony, QC $80.00 (375 ml)
Recently retasted and still fabulous. Pear, light apricot, orange, butter, and green apple aromas in an elegant, crisp, fresh icewine that is sweet but not cloying. The palate is awash orange, lime, apricot, butter and peach skin flavours. Finesse and elegance in a super-rich package and ageing well. (AG-ST)
90 Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $37.00 winery direct, Mark Anthony stores, AB $35.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $40.00, ON $37.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands
Open intense spicy, vanilla, meaty sausage, floral nose streaked with black berry, boysenberry and smoky, liquorice nose. The entry is supple, the palate full with light, ripe tannins. More smoky, leather, vanilla, coffee, boysenberry, savoury, garrigue flavours with a touch of barnyard and sage. Good finesse and styling for near term drinking and certainly the best yet form MH. (AG-ST)
91 Mission Hill Vidal Ice Wine Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 (375 ml) specialty listing
Very deep gold colour. Big citrus peel, apricot, nectarine skin, spicy, butter, baked pear aromas with a touch of nalgene. Fresh, crisp, moderately rich palate with good acidity sweetness balance. Lime, orange peel, nectarine, dried apricot, granny smith, butter, plasticene flavours. Good intensity and balance with potential to age a few more years. (AG)
89 Mission Hill Viognier Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing
Big spicy, ginger, creamsicle, honey, mineral, nectarine skin, tangerine aromas with a touch of nutty lees. Round, fresh, elegant, slightly sweet entry with ginger, mineral, lemon peel, tangerine, honey, nectarine skin and five spice flavours. Good fresh, crisp finish to accompany most Asian foods. Solid value for BC. (AG)
87 Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Fresh red apple, grassy, grapefruit, peach, almond aromas. Ripe, round, off dry palate with honey, grapefruit, nutty, waxy, lemon and guava flavours. An un-oaked version that offers solid fruit and balance for the money. The Mt. Boucherie Collection Chardonnay is made with a mix of Similkameen Vineyard in Cawston and Sunrise Vineyard in Okanagan Falls. (AG-ST)
88 Nichol Vineyard Pinot Gris September Ranch 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
It may look like a rosé, but this "eye of the partridge" tinted Gris delivers with a fruity but restrained nose spiked with a dash of earth and honey. Light earthy well-balanced entry with red fruits and honey on the mid-palate and a clean it finishes dry. This will be best with food. (AG-ST)
87 Nichol Vineyard Syrah 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Coffee, leather, meaty, peppery, tobacco, spicy, floral nose. Dry, slightly lean entry with light tannins. Earthy, black cherry, savoury, coffee, tobacco, dried herb flavours. Finish is quite tart and somewhat tannic. Needs food to soften the palate. Lacks a bit of heft and finesse that would get it to the next level. (AG-ST)
89 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Nutty, buttery, light vanilla, floral, citrus, honey, waxy aromas. Palate is round, elegant, lighter bodied with a touch of sweetness but juicy acidity. Butterscotch, baked apple, vanilla, creamy, spicy, nutty lees flavours. Finish is juicy and a touch warm with lots of nutty, buttery notes. (AG)
87 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery / private wine shops
Cherry jam, lees, resin, tobacco, carrot top, light herbal aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with fresh acidity. Cool rhubarb, cherry, herbal, carrot top, tobacco leaf, orange and vanilla flavours. Has finesse and some fruit but finish is too lean and tart. Best with grilled fowl. (AG-ST)
87 Nk'Mip Cellars Riesling 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
Winemaker Randy Picton continues to defy the odds making very solid riesling in the warm south Okanagan. The latest is nicely dried out playing up green apple, peachy, nectarine notes with just a touch of sweetness and minerality in the back end. The perfect summer sipper that will surprise you with the number of dishes it can enliven. (AG)
92 Osoyoos Larose 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 private wine shops, AB $40.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $40.00 consignment - Vincor International, QC $40.00
It's all about minor tweaks at this point for Osoyoos Larose and almost all of that is about tannin and fruit balance. This is the best OL by any measure led by the softest, yet substantial amount, of tannins now bordering on elegant. Typically the nose is a mix of smoky coffee, black cherry and olive aromas and the '07 is no different. The entry is dry, but with density and richness that will need five years to fully developed. The finish is long with bits of dark chocolate and that south Okanagan savoury thread. Real finesse here that sets a new level on the bar for all the wannabe icons. Best of all price and quality are in equilibrium. (AG-ST)
88 Peller Estates Private Reserve Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing
This whole cluster pressed riesling is grown in the South Okanagan. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve its obvious fresh citrus, peach and lime rind. Crisp light refreshing and affordable. Try this with barbecued pork. (AG-ST)
90 Poplar Grove Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Improving each year the latest Poplar Grove syrah has really up its quality quotient. The nose is surprisingly wild or feral with plenty of rich floral, black fruit and minerality. Underneath the wine remains fresh with fine acidity and more blueberry, spicy leather barnyard notes. The textures are smooth and glossy but not overbearing. Try this with your favourite lamb dish. (AG-ST)
88 Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Nutty lees, grapefruit, green apple skin, light honey and butter with a waxy, grassy note. Round, slightly sweet entry, soft, easy palate with hazelnut, honey, butter, orange, grapefruit rind and apple skin flavours. Delicate, juicy finish with some length. (AG-ST)
87 Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $19.00, MB $19.00, ON $19.00, SK $19.00
Floral, nutty, grapefruit rind, mineral, grassy aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, off dry palate with lots of grapefruit rind, gooseberry, chalky, mineral, pear flavours. A fresh, rind-y, juicy style for the summer. (AG-ST)
87 Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00, NB $30.00
Lean carrot top, brine, herbal, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, mineral, resin aromas. Dry, tight, elegant palate with fine freshness. Rhubarb, resin, celery salt, carrot top, tobacco leaf, nettle and soy flavours mark the palate. A lean tight cool version of pinot that is best served with fatty dishes at this point. A touch more fruit and texture would elevate this wine in the glass considerably. (AG-ST)
90 Quails' Gate Chardonnay Family Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
Smoky, nutty, spicy, garlic, vanilla cream, baked apple, grapefruit, dried herb aromas. Round, delicate, soft palate with a touch of sweetness. Vanilla, grassy, creamy, nutty lees, garlic, grapefruit, passion fruit, mineral, waxy, melon flavours. Good complexity and texture but a bit flat on the finish. Attractive style for current consumption. (AG-ST)
87 Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00, MB $17.00
Fun floral, red apple, peach, light matchstick and light lees aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with peach, lime, grapefruit, floral, red apple flavours. Crisp, juicy finish. Refreshing and fruity all in a well-balanced style. (AG-ST)
87 Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Big meaty, espresso, vanilla, mocha, tobacco leaf, roasted tomato, peppery, black currant aromas. Round, rich, smooth, supple palate with huge sweet espresso, chocolate, vanilla, currant jam, peppery, meaty, rooty flavours. It is warm, fresh and very oaky in the back end but that only makes it more appealing to some. (AG-ST)
88 Quails' Gate Riesling Icewine 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 (200 ml) specialty listing, AB $35.00 (200 ml) fine wine shops, MB $35.00 (200 ml), ON $35.00 (200 ml), SK $35.00 (200 ml)
Super crisp style with that bright almost piercing acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. The flavours are a mix of intense floral apricot, orange cut with ripe tropical fruit notes. The finish is bracingly acidic, some might say tart but it does make you want to keep sipping. Not for the faint of a heart. The winery suggests you pair it with citrus crème brûlée. (AG-ST)
87 Quails' Gate Rosé 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 specialty listing
The QQ pink is 100 per cent gamay all grown on the Boucherie Bench. It is important to know the wine is technically dry because the fruit appears so sweet and round. The palate is a mix of sweaty, grapefruit and strawberries with a twist of rhubarb that finishes crisp and dry. Serve well-chilled all over the barbecue. Good value here. (AG-ST)
88 Road 13 Home Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Big floral, pink grapefruit, citrus rind, honey, bubble gum nose with a touch of ginger and gooseberry. Ripe, round, crisp, somewhat sweet entry with candied pink grapefruit, red apple, honey, light lees, mineral, gooseberry and guava flavours. Good balance and intensity if a tad sweet and sour in the finish. There is 6% riesling in the final blend to lift the fruit. (AG-ST)
87 Road 13 Rockpile 2008 Syrah - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Zinfandel - Viognier - Mourvedre
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Rockpile is a supple, tasty blend of red fruit grown in the South Okanagan. In all 13 vineyard blocks contributed eight varieties of grapes to the blend from both Black Sage Bench and Golden Mile Bench. Look for a cedar-y dried herb aroma and a similar spicy, savoury, cedar-y black fruit palate flecked with dried herbs. Drinkable now but should improve over the next two years under screwcap. (AG-ST)
88 Road 13 Stemwinder 2009 Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay Musque
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Light butter, lees, spicy, peach, guava, muscat, grapefruit, and passion fruit aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, slightly sweet entry with minty, spicy, nutty, butter, honey, popcorn, grassy, grapefruit flavours. Finish is crisp with lots of citrus rind. Good solid summer sipper style. (AG-ST)
87 Robin Ridge Chardonnay 2008
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Smoky, leesy, bacon, honey, waxy, orange aromas. Round, fat, soft, somewhat sweet palate with nutty, buttery lees, honey, baked apple and citrus flavours. Good textures if a bit over-worked on the lees side. (AG-ST)
87 Rustico Farm Farmer's Daughter Dry Gewurztraminer 2007
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct
Open spicy, floral, ginger, lychee, perfumed aromatic nose. Soft, round, dry, somewhat light palate with mineral, rose petal, lychee, ginger, apple skin and earth flavours. Great intensity but needs a bit more fatness as it is slightly austere. Hopefully next version will be under screwcap. (AG-ST)
88 Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard Block B11 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Floral, pear, pineapple, waxy, green apple, pear, lees aromas. Round, rich, slightly sweet entry with good acidity and an oily texture. Vanilla, butter, baked pear, green apple, grapefruit, pineapple, mineral, leesy flavours. Finish is full and warm and a tad fat. Good fruit and not too much oak but a bit on the sweet side. (AG)
89 Sandhill Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard Block C8 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Big spicy, vanilla, tobacco, coffee, savoury, cedar, barnyard, cherry jam, gamey, warm kirsch nose. Round, rich, supple but grainy tannins. Clove, savoury, peppery, vanilla cream, coffee, chocolate, black cherry jam, tobacco and cedar aromas. Finish is very warm and oaky but has ripe fruit and good concentration. Very modern style, needs 2-3 years to integrate. (AG)
88 Sandhill Pinot Gris King Family Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shops, MB $17.00, SK $18.00
Over the years, this wine has settled into its fresh, juicy persona offering up bits of pear and tropical fruit with a touch of Okanagan peach. Expect a medium-bodied style white with bright acidity and fresh juicy melon and green apple fruit flavours. Try it with spicy wraps and or crab cakes. (AG)
90 See Ya Later Ranch SYL Brut N/V
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.99 winery direct and private wine shops
Look for a bright, floral, complex brioche nose with bits of fruit and nutty lees. The entry is clean a crisp with more baked pea and yeasty notes over a dried peach and pear finish. This bubble has jumped another notch up the sparkling scale. Very fine quality. Bravo BC. (AG-ST)
87 Stag's Hollow Merlot Renaissance 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Peppery, meaty, rooty, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry, olive aromas. Rich, full, somewhat lean and tart entry with dry, hard tannins. Coffee, tobacco leaf, black olive, resin, meaty, leather, vanilla, black cherry flavours. Finish is very warm with some tea tannins to shed. Tannins are somewhat green, has some potential. (AG-ST)
88 Stag's Hollow Merlot Renaissance 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Coffee, spicy, mocha, vanilla, black cherry, savoury, licorice, incense, tapenade, meaty aromas. Ripe, round, dry, slightly austere style but good finesse. Cedar, tobacco, coffee, smoked meat, peppery, vanilla, black cherry, licorice, savoury flavours. A bit hot and oaky with some green, cedary tea tannins but has solid core with the ability to improve over the next 2-4 years, (AG-ST)
88 Stag's Hollow Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Butter, waxy, passion fruit, grapefruit, kiwi, floral, spicy lees aromas with a bit of nettle. Round, fresh, dry, slightly austere palate with butter, lemon, and mineral, canned grapefruit, passion fruit, and vanilla, waxy, lees flavours. Good solid effort in a somewhat more Euro style to accompany food. Starting to age a bit. (AG-ST)
87 Stag's Hollow Syrah 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Peppery, savoury, sausage meat, vanilla, floral, licorice, tea leaf, tobacco aromas. Round, supple, dry palate with light tannins and very fresh acidity. Coffee, smoky, bacon, floral, sausage meat. licorice root, savoury, orange peel, blackberry jam flavours. Very warm, somewhat tart finish with some tobacco leaf notes. Best with grilled beef. Serve at a cooler temperature. (AG-ST)
87 Stag's Hollow Viognier 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Big honey, spicy, floral, orange, vanilla, waxy, lees aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly soft palate but elegant with light sausage, honey, grapefruit rind, soapy floral, apricot, vanilla and lees flavours. Finish is very tart and warm but shows good fruit. A little less oak and this wine will sing. (AG-ST)
88 Stoneboat Vineyards Chorus 2009 Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc - Viognier - Muller Thurgau - Kerner - Schönburger
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The latest edition of Chorus is much like the first, excellent fun. The Martiniuk family has crafted an attractive, aromatic white that is flecked with bright tropical fruit. Expect a fresh mineral nose with grapefruit, citrus, lime rind flavours and bits of peach and red apple in the finish. A super summer sipper BC style. The blend is a mix of pinot gris, pinot blanc, viognier, kerner, müller-thurgau and schönburger. (AG-ST)
88 Sumac Ridge Tribute Gold Méthode Classique N/V
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 specialty listing, AB $50.00 private wine stores
Excellent refined mousse, quite continuous. Floral, pear, baked apple, grapefruit, lemon, spicy nose with light toast. Rich, round, off dry palate with citrus rind, baked apple skin, ripe pear, mineral, buttery, nutty flavours. A full bodied style that is slightly drier and richer than the normal Tribute. (AG-ST)
87 Sumac Ridge Tribute Private Reserve Méthode Classique N/V
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 specialty listing, AB $30.00, ON $30.00
Lots of fine, foamy mousse. Light nutty, green apple, floral, citrus, melon aromas. Crisp, slightly sweet entry with some good but foamy mousse. Baked pear, apple skin, honey, butter, toasty, citrus flavours. Finish is a bit bitter but quite nutty with decent persistence. Solid effort (AG-ST)
87 Summerhill Pyramid Merlot Cellar Aged 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Pleasant minty open nose with vanilla, smoky cherry hints. The entry is dry and round with a touch of small grained tannins and more sweet cherry fruit with black olive, espresso notes. Drink now with grilled meat or cellar another two years. (AG-ST)
89 Summerhill Pyramid Organic Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Deep dense colour and styling with Pomerol-like textures. The fruit is deep and dark with bits of plum, blueberries and wild blackberry on the palate. The finish is dense and long with sweet fruit and toasted oak notes. The fruit is organically grown at Kaleden. (AG-ST)
87 Summerhill Pyramid Pinot Noir Icewine 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $65.00 (200 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wines
Rooty bizarre smoked bacon nose and flavours. Herby, sweet rhubarb and strawberry flavours with more smoky bacon highlights. Different is the best thing I can say about this wine that may be past its prime, at least in this bottle size. The price is crazy. (AG-ST)
88 Summerhill Pyramid Riesling Icewine 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $55.00 (200 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wines
Slightly tired nose of backed apricot, with smoky, mineral orange fruit flavours. Fine mid-palate acidity in what is a slightly tighter skinnier version than past efforts, which is probably a good thing. Good balance of sugar and acidity but this one needs drinking now. The grapes were estate grown at Summerhill's certified organic vineyard in East Kelowna. (AG-ST)
87 Therapy Vineyards Freudian Sip 2008 Gewurztraminer - Pinot Gris - Kerner
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 speculative listing - Whitefish Group
Always fresh and clean in style the 09 is a particularly bright blend of riesling, pinot gris, gewürztraminer, viognier and muscat all fermented in stainless steel. Look for a spicy, mineral, citrus r and nectarine skin nose and flavours with hints of ginger in the aftertaste. A delicious summer sipper. (AG-ST)
89 Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Collection 2009 Sémillon - Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Gewurztraminer
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The 09 2Bench has shown well since its release. Love the spicy, floral, guava, peach, green apple nose flecked with light lees, lychee and sausage aromas. Ripe, round, rich, slightly sweet entry but fresh and clean on the palate. A fine mix of flavours including roses, grapefruit, red apple, honey, butter, mineral, lychee, grass and melon rind. Indian food anyone? (AG-ST)
87 Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops
Another quality leap at Tinhorn. Look for light honey, green apple, grapefruit, and spicy lees aromas with a touch of vanilla cream. Fresh, juicy, round palate with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit, honey, baked apple, lime rind, butter and vanilla flavours. Tasty, fresh, affordable. Stock up. (AG-ST)
88 Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Light lychee, sausage, lees, butter, green apple, spicy, citrus rind aromas. Fresh, light, elegant palate with a juicy note and a touch of sweetness. Green apple, nectarine, spicy, ginger, light sausage and mineral flavours. Well made tasty gewürztraminer. (AG-ST)
89 Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing
Winemaker Sandra Oldfield has hit all the right notes in '09 producing a much fresher, much cleaner version of this grape that is really excelling under screwcap. Lemons, apples and honey with a subtle herbal edge, it is all you can ask for at $17. The fruit is 50/50 Black Sage Bench and Golden Mile Bench. Love the winery food picks: Thai curries, quesadillas, and fish tacos. (AG-ST)
87 Township 7 '7 Blanc' 2009 Pinot Gris - Gewurztraminer - Riesling
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private wine shops
7 - Blanc is an aromatic blend of Naramata pinot gris, gewürztraminer and a bit of muscat. Look for an off-dry palate mixing grapefruit, honey mango and red apple notes with bits of cherries and spice. Classic style summer sipper that will pair with a variety of foods. (AG-ST)
87 Twisted Tree Gamay Noir 2008 Gamay - Noir
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine stores
I'm always surprised how good local gamay can be, but as a varietal on the label it has little street cred that likely point to its French forefather Beaujolais. Expect a tasty sweet-ish, smoky, spicy, black cherry fruit followed by soft, supple tannins and some sweet vanilla notes. A baby pinot noir in search of a single fantasy name to improve its image. Grown on the yet to be approved "East Bench" appellation in Osoyoos. (AG-ST)
90 Twisted Tree Marsanne Roussanne 2009 Marsanne - Roussanne
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct
Honey, ginger, nutty, anise, butter, lemon, baked peach aromas. Round, rich, elegant, fresh palate with a touch of oiliness. Mineral, ginger, lemon, honey, nutty, nectarine, apricot flavours. Juicy, round finish with good finesse and length. Impressive style well -executed, take that Rhone Valley. (AG-ST)
87 Twisted Tree Pinot Noir 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Floral, cedar bark, strawberry jam, earthy, compost, cherry, resin, smoky chocolate and vanilla aromas. Dry, warm, somewhat tart entry with mocha, cedar bark, tobacco, orange, stewed rhubarb, strawberry jam and root flavours. A bit tannic on the finish with a fair bit of oak. Has promise, needs 1-2 years to integrate. (AG-ST)
88 Twisted Tree Viognier Roussanne 2009 Viognier - Roussanne - Marsanne
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, AB $22.00 fine wine shops
Spicy, orange, guava, gooseberry, honey, floral, ginger, lemon oil aromas. Round, rich, slightly sweet entry but fresh with ginger, orange, lemon peel, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit rind, butter and guava flavours. A touch rind-y and hot on the finish but solid fruit and balance. (AG-ST)
88 Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Certainly the best we have tasted from Van Westen. Each year the vines get older, the wine better and the Van Westens seem to get a bit surer about where they are headed. The palate is rich but crisp with flecks of ginger honey and lemon oil mixed with a leesy/ nectarine finish. Well made and fun to drink. (AG-ST)
