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Wine Arrowleaf Gewurztraminer 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrice $15.90UPC 626990024323Score 87/100Remarks True to form the Arrowleaf gewürztraminer is offers up a floral nose with light spicy sausage notes flecked with orange rind.
Wine Arrowleaf Gewurztraminer 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $15.90
UPC 626990024323
Score 87/100
Remarks True to form the Arrowleaf gewürztraminer is offers up a floral nose with light spicy sausage notes flecked with orange rind. Now under screwcap it is super fresh with tinges of minerality and spicy peachy fruit. Clean fresh and unbeatable for the price. Well done. Sip all summer on the patio or serve with Thai food.
Wine Arrowleaf Red Feather Pinot Noir - Chardonnay 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $12.99
UPC 626990032250
Score 87/100
Remarks Bingo. The latest Red Feather hits all the right notes for the patio. The grapes are mostly pinot noir with a dash of chardonnay to lift the nose. The aroma is an earthy mix of strawberry and minerals. On the palate it is fresh and clean with a candied, strawberry fruit flavours and as is their style, there is just add enough sugar and acidity to keep your interest. A perfect summer patio wine again. Love the price.
Wine Black Hills Carmenere 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $28.90
UPC 8336665004058
Score 87/100
Remarks B.C.'s first carmenère is a pleasant surprise. It's leafy (almost vegetative) but like cabernet franc it can get away with a bit of that character if the fruit is ripe. Carmenère is tricky to grow, at least that's what the Chileans tell me - with its naturally low acidity and need to ripen very late if you wait to long it can be flabby but if you pick to soon it's too peppery and herbaceous. In this case Black Hills has come close to hitting the mark with the leafy rubbery earthy fruit mixing with some sweet black fruit tones in the back end. The finish is soft and fiery. It doesn't have the real chocolate flavours you can get in ripe carmenère but these are young vines and it is a first crop. As the vines mature and the cardamom, tobacco, chocolate flavours come to the forefront it should be a varietal to watch.
Wine Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2006, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.00
UPC 626990000068
Score 89/100
Remarks Open honey, mineral, floral aromas with sweet lime rind notes. Rich, ripe and round in the mouth with a brightness and texture that sets B.C. pinot gris apart for its competitors. Fresh juicy mineral fruit with bits of red apple honey and ripe pear fill the palate. The finish is dry with citrus undertones. A fine effort.
Wine CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.09
UPC 778913026065
Score 87/100
Remarks The '07 ehrenfelser from CedarCreek has summer written all over it. The nose is a mix of sweet honeysuckle, tangerine and minerals. Fresh and ripe its creamy textures offer up bits of pink grapefruit, floral, peachy mineral flavours. A perfect solo sipper for summer or pair with spicy, Asian or Indian dishes.
Wine Church and State Merlot Coyote Bowl 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.99
UPC 840098080108
Score 87/100
Remarks Cherry, chocolate, vanilla, mint, coriander, pudding, compost aromas. Dry, round, full bodied with grainy tannins. Lots of cedar, spice, vanilla, menthol, mocha, cherry, peppery flavours. Very warm finish with big spicy oak up front but some good berry fruit. Should improve over the next few years.
Wine Church and State Syrah 2005, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.00
UPC 00626990068501
Score 88/100
Remarks Tasted several times this single vineyard syrah from the south Okanagan is coming into its own. The entry is soft and ripe, the tannins light and the flavours a big mix of peppery, vanilla, chocolate pudding, black cherry and licorice root. Fairly oaky but it appears to be soaking into the wine at this point. I'm a bit surprised to see this in government stores but there you have it. Grab it while you can.
Wine Fairview Cellars Merlot 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.90
UPC 850104000532
Score 87/100
Remarks Pruny, peppery, spicy, black cherry, dark chocolate, resiny, tobacco, gamey, barnyard aromas. Dry, rich, alcoholic palate with supple tannins. Peppery, black cherry jam, kirsch, chocolate, resiny, licorice root flavours with some tobacco leaf and cedar in the finish. Solid but a bit chunky and hot.
Wine Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.90
UPC 850104000549
Score 87/100
Remarks Open buttery, vanilla, honey, lemon oil nose with sweaty grapefruit rind and passion fruit aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with an oily texture. Vanilla, spicy cinnamon, butter, grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy melon rind flavours. Good solid fruit core and balance if a touch oaky on the finish.
Wine Foxtrot Pinot Noir 2004, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $49.99
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks Spicy, celery salt, worsteshire, rootsy nose with lifted cherry aromas spiked with a touch of garlic and vanilla. Round, dry, supple, slightly tannic palate on entry with coffee, black cherry, balsamic, cooked rhubarb, rootsy flavours. Warm finish with some oak showing but with good acidity balance. Needs 1-3 years to round out. Fine first effort for a solid entry-level pinot.
Wine Foxtrot Pinot Noir 2005, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $49.99
UPC
Score 88/100
Remarks Floral, spicy, celery salt nose with cooked cherry, worsteshire, pepper and lifted, pruny rootsy aromas. Soft, round, supple entry with spicy, mocha, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, soy flavours. Finish is warm with some bits of orange spice, lees and cedar. A slightly riper, warmer, plusher version of the 2004. Well done.
Wine Herder Josephine Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc 2005, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $28.90
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks Similar to last year it opens with dill, olive, tobacco and sweet vanilla notes mixed with milk chocolate, cedar, sweaty saddle, gamey aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with slightly dry tannins. Spicy, vanilla, floral, cola, chocolate, cherry jam, resiny, licorice flavours. Good texture and balance, needs a year or so to soften.
Wine Herder Pinot Gris 2006, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.90
UPC 814372000304
Score 88/100
Remarks The Herder 2006 Pinot Gris is un-oaked and blends fruit from the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Honey earth and pears greet the nose in a delicious mix of fruit and liveliness. If there was ever a poster boy for no oak in Pinot gris this could be it. The plate is packed with green apple fruit bits bread dough mineral and citrus. The finish is lip-smacking fry. Yeah, and long live B.C. pinot gris.
Wine Hillside Estate Mosaic Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $34.95
UPC 626990028932
Score 87/100
Remarks Certainly an improvement over the '03. The latest Mosaic blends, merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot and nine months of French and American oak. The entry is sweet almost JT like with plenty of mocha coffee chocolate highlights and a ripe dark fruit finish. Christmas cake and dried fruit describes the finish. This will have a lot of and although now that it is cleaner than ever we would like to see a slightly drier version.
Wine Hillside Estate Muscat Ottonel Reserve Series 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.95
UPC 626990019152
Score 87/100
Remarks A repeat performance is always welcomed when the previous year was good too. Consistency is the ultimate compliment. Love the fresh spicy, floral nose with hints of ginger and honey. Crisp and juicy on the palate with more mineral, ginger, green apple skin flecked with orange. Like last year its bit viognier-like in the finish. Well done again.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.00
UPC 620654632107
Score 88/100
Remarks Bright, fresh green apple, lime rind, spicy, floral, creamy lees aromas. Round, crisp, baked green apple, citrus rind, mineral, creamy lees with a touch of guava. Fine cooler fruit version with verve. Best with food but works on th epatio too. Ready to drink.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Zinfandel 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 620654015702
Score 87/100
Remarks Briar, resin, spicy, black berry, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, plum and licorice aromas. Very warm, round but dry with somewhat cedar-y, tight tannins. Peppery, spicy, rootsy, cedar, black raspberry, chocolate flavours. Solid but very dry and tannic on the finish. Needs a few years to round out.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Merlot Reserve 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 00620654011087
Score 87/100
Remarks A fine dark colour previews a rich, open, vanilla minty nose with cherry, pepper, dill and plum flavours. The finish is slightly dry with more licorice, black fruit and good acidity. It's warm (alcoholic) but maturing niclel and is easily tamed by a roasted leg of lamb.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Reserve 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $13.49
UPC 00620654011070
Score 87/100
Remarks While I'm not a huge fan of pinot blanc, winemaker Sandor Mayer is doing a solid job with it. Like the previous year it has plenty of peach, red apples, nectarine notes in its floral nose. It warm if not a bit hot on the palate with more red apple, nectarine, and citrus rind flavours. This finish is long and warm. Think turkey dishes or perhaps even pork. Fine value.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Grigio Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $15.99
UPC 00620654011094
Score 87/100
Remarks Inniskillin always makes a flavourful pinot gris and in 2006 it's no exception. Floral, almost orange blossom notes greet the nose. The entry is round and fresh and slightly sweet with red apple, mineral citrus nutty fruit flavours with a touch of lime rind in the finish.
Wine Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.78
UPC 063657005668
Score 90/100
Remarks Winemaker Bruce Nicholson may be gone and this wine will reminds most that he will be missed. Typical JT it is rich, dense and sweet on the nose and the palate. Sweet cherry jam, vanilla and chocolate notes preview a big mouth-filling merlot with just a touch of spicy black olives. Lovely ripe characters pervade the finish with coffee and smoky oak and a dusting of tannin. Should keep well for five to seven years.
Wine Joie A Noble Blend Gewurztraminer - Kerner - Pinot Blanc - Ehrenfelser - Riesling 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.90
UPC
Score 89/100
Remarks The 2006 Noble Blend swaps out the ehrenfelser for muscat leaving all the previous components: gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot blanc, kerner, and riesling, more or less the same. This is a delicious style of wine that should be widely imitated in the Okanagan. Floral, spicy, sausage notes with peachy, litchi fruit and just a touch of oil in the texture and some residual sweetness make it a delight to sip. Bravo.
Wine Joie Pinot Noir Rosé Pinot Noir - Gamay - Maréchal Foch 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.90
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks The Joie wines continue to improve in 2006. The Rosé is fresher with bright, melon notes and a dash of pink grapefruit. The entry is soft with some obvious sugar but the acidity is lively and the flavours fresh. Drink all summer on the restaurant patio, which is about the only place you can buy it.
Wine Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.90
UPC 626990033165
Score 88/100
Remarks Lake Breeze gets a lot of press for their pinotage but this merlot is well worth investigating. Just enough pepper and acidity takes it out of the sweet realm and into the more serious, worth cellaring category. Look for a fragrant dry red with bits of licorice, black fruit, tobacco and smoky resin. Perfect for grill steaks.
Wine Lang Vineyards Riesling Farm Winery Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.90
UPC 626990020684
Score 88/100
Remarks Lang's most consistent wine hits all the buttons again in 2006. Orange blossom and honey mix with green apple aromas on the nose while the palate is a tangy mix of minerals, baked apple and citrus rind flavours. Not as complex as we would like, especially given the hefty $5 per bottle price increase, but it's fun to sip and should be for sometime now that it is under screwcap.
Wine Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.00
UPC 850451001145
Score 87/100
Remarks Big clean and crisp best describes this wooded pinot gris that spends about seven months in second year oak barrels getting plenty of lees contact. The nose is mix of mineral honey and floral notes with a crisp, citrus, fruity mid-palate and a leesy finish. Fine complexity, if but a bit warm in the finish. Made for food and cooler weather.
Wine Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Pinot Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $22.00
UPC 850451001152
Score 87/100
Remarks Laughing Stock's "Small Caps program is home to this 75/25 mix of pinot gris and pinot blanc. The pinot blanc seems to bolster the otherwise earthy mineral notes of the gris adding a sweet peachy, nectarine skin quality to the fruit which is both spicy, warm and slightly sour in the finish. Only 170 cases were made so they should have no problem moving this at $22 a pop.
Wine Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $21.99
UPC 776545991034
Score 88/100
Remarks More or less a carbon copy of the '05 with its fresh, crisp, lemony demeanour. The entry is lip-smacking fresh with northern Italian honeyed grapefruit, green apple mineral tones mixed with some creamy mid-palate textures. A touch less dry, or conversely fruitier than the previous version which I'm sure will be welcomed by most sippers. Made for B.C coastal food. Well done.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2005, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 836909011416
Score 89/100
Remarks Winemaker Randy Picton's latest Q2 chardonnay is a treat to drink. Much like the '04 it has spicy, cinnamon, leesy character on the nose mixed with baked apple and honey notes. The entry is dry, and a touch less fat with nutty lees, mineral, pear and honey flavours with some green apple skin and resin in the aftertaste. The finish is warm, creamy and a touch sweet. You can drink this now or hold it a year or two. Well done.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2004, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 836909010600
Score 89/100
Remarks Much like last year the 04 opens with a cedar-y - mocha nose with bits of smoky bacon and spice. On the palate it's suave and showing some restraint with fine-grained, dry-ish tannins and plenty of peppery, cedar, olive and black fruit flavours with a twist of garrigue. An impressive young wine, if a bit dry, that dabbles in restraint. Needs thee to five years to fully develop.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2004, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 836909011423
Score 89/100
Remarks Spicy, smoky peppery, clove aromas flecked with black olives, tobacco and black cherry. On the plate it has a sweet fruit character, with coffee cocoa espresso, cherry flavours. Fragrant, warm peppery resiny red with chunky tannins. Well made and should improve over the next 3 to 5 years.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2005, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $34.99
UPC 836909004098
Score 88/100
Remarks Chocolate, sausage, spicy, savoury, black pepper, licorice root, garrigue aromas with a touch of black cherry. Soft, round, dry, slightly tannic palate. Spicy, plum, peppery, licorice, smoky resin, and tobacco leaf flavours. Some light tannins to shed but should be a solid performer for the next 2 years.
Wine Noble Ridge Meritage Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2003, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.95
UPC 626990042778
Score 88/100
Remarks The first time we have tasted this wine and it's an impressive start. The blend is an 80/20 merlot/cabernet and fine use of cabernet in our estimation. Love the plush dark fruit (okay maybe it's a bit warm and lifted) and the chocolate mint notes on the nose and palate. Lots of vanilla and plenty of alcohol give it a smooth 'sweet' finish. A solid start that should point to better wines as some refinement is brought to the mix. Drink or hold for five years.
Wine Osoyoos Larose Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $40.00
UPC 871610001554
Score 88/100
Remarks Smoky, coriander, tobacco, dill, chocolate, cedar, saddle leather, floral aromas. Dry, round, slightly tight entry with chewy tannins. Floral, cherry, tobacco, rootsy, licorice, vanilla, prune, cranberry, and cedar flavours. Improving complexity and balance but the textures and tannins are still quite austere. Needs 2-4 years.
Wine Peller Estates Private Reserve Chardonnay 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 048162005556
Score 87/100
Remarks Peller Estates appears to be turning the quality corner after years of less than distinguished winemaking. The '05 PR chardonnay is hand-picked and stainless steel-fermented before spending 9 to 12 months in mostly used French and American oak. The result is an attractive wine with a honeyed fruit nose, fine acidity and generous textures on the palate. It's not complex but it's a crowd pleaser and it hits the value for money mark.
Wine Pentage Winery Pinot Gris 2006, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.95
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks The first, Pentâge pinot gris I have tasted gets a big thumbs up and it comes out of a very stylish, three-litre bag-in-a-(black)-box. The long but extremely narrow container fits perfectly, out of the way, along the sidewall of your refrigerator - ready to be poured from its state-of-the-art spout device. The winery claims it will have a three- month life span not that it will last more than a week in my house, but if you only want a glass and you need each one to be fresh, this is the ticket. Best of all, the wine is pretty delicious. Zesty lime rind and pink grapefruit flavours make it easy to sip. It's a bit more sauvignon than pinot gris but I can live with that thanks to the orange rind and mineral notes in the finish. Oh yes, it also sold in regular 750 ml bottles for $18.
Wine Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc Chasselas - Pinot Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $15.99
UPC 77856106053
Score 87/100
Remarks It's been a couple of years since I have this blend and winemaker Grant Stanley has done a nice job cleaning this up and bringing the fruit to the foreground. Look for fresh mineral, floral notes in an otherwise delicious sipping white wine. Do as the winery suggests and serve it with a fresh spinach salad with sun dried cranberries, pea sprouts, toasted almonds and orange poppy seed vinaigrette.
Wine Quails' Gate Chardonnay Limited Release 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.99
UPC 778856105018
Score 88/100
Remarks Slightly fresher than the previous edition the '05 Limited Release has an inviting mineral, flinty nose bits of honey and baked apple. The entry is dry with grapefruit, mineral, honey flavours that finish with a dash of citrus oil. It is contemporary, New World chardonnay with the oak under control. Best with food and I like the suggestions of pork tenderloin or West Coast seafood.
Wine Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.99
UPC 778856106039
Score 88/100
Remarks Open sweaty grapefruit rind with bits of passion fruit. It's super tight and crisp with impressive flavours of juicy green apple, grapefruit rind and honey/mineral flecks. An easy-sipping shellfish white with a small percentage of sauvignon blanc to lift the fruit and a bit of barrel fermented chenin blanc to boost the mouth texture.
Wine Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 778856106022
Score 87/100
Remarks Super fresh and clean style packed with floral, green apple skin and grapefruit aromas. On the palate the entry is equally fresh with plenty crisp citrus and grapefruit flavours with bits of lime oil and mineral. The finish I start and clean. Made for food and aficionados.
Wine Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 77856106060
Score 87/100
Remarks The former "Limited Release" label has new look and a crowd pleasing 10 grams per litre of residual sugar. It's fermented cold, in stainless steel, using north and central Okanagan fruit and the result is a terrific little gewürztraminer. It has a fresh, lively, pear and litchi nut fruit flavour flecked with spicy, floral, mineral bits. Thai, Indian, Chinese take your pick or put some away for that Thanksgiving turkey.
Wine Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $39.99
UPC 77856205206
Score 88/100
Remarks Spicy, celery salt, smoky, rhubarb, cherry, resiny aromas. Ripe, round, supple, slightly dry entry with very light tannins. Celery, strawberry, rhubarb, rootsy, smoky vanilla flavours with a bit of orange rind and resin on the finish. Good solid balance and intensity. Should improve over the next 2-4 years.
Wine Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Limited Release 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 778856104205
Score 87/100
Remarks The 05 Limited Release moves up another notch this year. Slightly riper with less resin and celery salt it's beginning to really smell and taste like pinot. The nose is mix of spicy sweet black cherry fruit with bits of barnyard and compost aromas. A cool climate supple red with slightly grippy, youthful, tannins at the backend. Lovely uncomplicated pinot from B.C.
Wine Sandhill Pinot Gris King Family Vineyard 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.99
UPC 058976350629
Score 89/100
Remarks This is the best and the weightiest, Sandhill pinot gris I have tasted and I have had all six vintages and surely it's the best fruit yet from the King Family vineyard in Naramata. It is so round and full-bodied, yet fresh, with smoky, grassy, nutty lime notes. On the palate there is plenty of zest and more mineral, green apple skin and buttery nutty notes. Kudos to the King family and winemaker Howard Soon for getting all of the flavour into the bottle.
Wine Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.99
UPC 058976380572
Score 87/100
Remarks Similar to last year, the '06 comes with a gooseberry, passion fruit, grassy, canned asparagus nose albeit slightly cleaner and fresher under screw cap. Round, dry, crisp palate with juicy canned grapefruit, gooseberry, lime and nettle flavours with a floral, grassy finish. Quite austere in the finish with some acidity to tame. Will improve over the next year or two.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah Sandhill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360741
Score 87/100
Remarks Black cherry, peppery, Band-Aid, cassis nose with smoky, resiny, coffee vanilla, roasted bell pepper aromas. Dry, round, elegant but slightly lean tannic entry. Very smoky, tobacco leaf, resiny, herbal, vanilla, coffee, sweaty saddle leather, olive flavours. Very tight, dry finish. Needs 1-3 years. 161 small lots made with 75/25 blend of cabernet sauvignon syrah.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program One Phantom Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Malbec 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $32.99
UPC 058976360659
Score 88/100
Remarks Olive, dill, tobacco, cassis, smoky, peppery, coffee nose. Round, soft, supple palate but dry. Smoky, coffee, mocha, tobacco, cassis, black olive, savoury flavours. The finish has a touch of acidity and earthy herbal notes that will be a good match for roast beef. 511 small lots made with 82/9/9 percent cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec. Just needs some polish to shine.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Petit Verdot Phantom Creek Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360758
Score 88/100
Remarks Now one of the best 'Small Lots' is Richard Cleave's Phantom Creek Petit Verdot. Smoky, coffee, mocha, peppery notes mix with cherry, floral, cranberry and saddle leather aromas. Round, dry, elegant, supple but with some youthful grainy tannins. Floral, cranberry, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, cherry, smoky vanilla, coriander and caraway flavours. Good intensity if a bit light on extract. Very smoky, oaky finish but should dissipate over the next 1-2 years. Good effort. 124 small lots made.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Sangiovese Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360680
Score 87/100
Remarks Spicy, mocha, chocolate pudding, black cherry, saddle leather, savour, floral, animal aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Peppery, coffee, pudding, vanilla, savoury, licorice and black cherry flavours and showing a fair bit of oak. Grippy back end with youthful light tannins. Needs food now or try in 1-2 years. 406 small lots made.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Three Sandhill Estate Vineyard Sangiovese - Barbera - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 058976360703
Score 88/100
Remarks Rootsy, licorice, black cherry, chocolate pudding, spicy, savoury, gamey aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean entry with a bit of acidity showing. Smoky, vanilla, cherry, savoury, tobacco leaf, peppery, cassis flavours with a coffee finish. A bit young and warm, need a year or two to round out. 411 cases made with a blend of 48/37/10/5 sangiovese, barbera, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Wine St. Hubertus Rose Gamay Noir 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $14.00
UPC 625259105056
Score 87/100
Remarks Light fresh airy and perfectly tuned for food. The entry is bright and fresh with cranberry cherry citrus fruit flavours spiked with strawberry, mineral, apple skin notes. Tight and fresh on the finish. Well done. Serve liberally on the patio.
Wine Stag's Hollow Meritage Renaissance Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $35.00
UPC 626990057321
Score 87/100
Remarks Smoky, cedar, meaty, saddle leather, cooked carrot, cranberry, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Smoky, resin, peppery, tobacco, cranberry, black olive, vanilla, spicy resin flavours with a leathery, gamey finish. The finish is a bit acidic and dry at this point but it has potential to improve in the bottle. Hold two to three years. Pricey.
Wine Stag's Hollow Merlot 2004, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $21.99
UPC 626990025955
Score 88/100
Remarks Another stylish effort from Stag's Hollow where it seems the funky red syndrome has final left the premises. Not too dark but nevertheless full-flavoured with a big smoky, cherry jam nose with flecks of earth. Bordelais styling with a vibrant mid-palate and in a soft, medium-weight, balanced red. The finish is warm but this is a solid effort for the price. 500 cases produced.
Wine Summerhill Pyramid Merlot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.95
UPC 779000122318
Score 88/100
Remarks Coffee predominates on the nose and palate of what is a well made clean merlot with just enough spicy fruit and acidity to remain balanced. A simple soft, tasty, clean 100 per cent organic merlot that should have broad appeal.
Wine Tantalus Riesling 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.90
UPC 626990054474
Score 89/100
Remarks Similar to the 05 the latest Tantalus has an equally inviting floral, orange blossom peachy nose with a high dose of minerality and a pinch of salt. Almost Mosel-like in its crispness and red apple crunch with more lime rind and green peach flavours in the finish. A crisp, lip smacking style that will appeal to the purists and food lovers.
Wine Tantalus Rosé 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $25.00
UPC 626990067382
Score 87/100
Remarks I don't imagine there is much of this around. But it's worth looking for if you can find it. The nose dry and restrained with earthy black fruit undertones reminding one of, at least a little bit, Tavel. On the palate it's clean and fresh with peppery citrus berry fruit flavour. Best with summery small plates and finger food.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Artist Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.00
UPC 854505001242
Score 88/100
Remarks The "Artist" gris from Therapy is a limited production wine that was made to support the "South Okanagan Women in Need Society" (SOWINS). Local artists were asked to submit work based on theme "Woman in the Community" and the winner was Liz Marshall for her piece titled "Bell" that appears on the front label. The wine is great fun. Unoaked it jumps from the glass with a fresh citrus scent and mixed into mineral pear flavours. Bright fresh light and easy drinking it is a perfect summer sipper with a delicious dry finish. Bravo.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Pink Freud 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.00
UPC 854505001198
Score 87/100
Remarks The latest Pink Freud is a 60/30/10 blend of shiraz/merlot/pinot noir cold soaked and then runoff after 24 hours. Love the fresh, citrus berry fruit nose and flavours and the crisp palate. Lively, fresh and tasty it's all you could want in an $18 rosé.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $22.00
UPC 854505001211
Score 87/100
Remarks Light, fun, skinny, pear/ mineral, pinot grigio style gris with a fresh, citrus, aftertaste. Light and simple but well made and if served with the correct food, as in not too powerful, this should be a fun summer sipper. Not cheap.
Wine Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.00
UPC 624802981024
Score 87/100
Remarks This screwcap version is as goods as it gets now. This is light, delicate, pinot gris that is made for summer sipping and it's perfectly revealed in this format. Look for light floral notes mixed with delicious crisp green apple mineral and nectarine notes. The finish is round, soft and dry with just a hint of sweet fruit.
Wine Wild Goose Gewurztraminer Mystic River Vineyard 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.95
UPC 626990040729
Score 89/100
Remarks Cooler crisper more mineral version of the regular WG gewürztraminer and without the resin or soap. This is a delicious bottle of wine and has myriad food possibilities from curried chicken to Szechuan prawns and beyond. Fresh clean finish. Well done.
Price $15.90
UPC 626990024323
Score 87/100
Remarks True to form the Arrowleaf gewürztraminer is offers up a floral nose with light spicy sausage notes flecked with orange rind. Now under screwcap it is super fresh with tinges of minerality and spicy peachy fruit. Clean fresh and unbeatable for the price. Well done. Sip all summer on the patio or serve with Thai food.
Wine Arrowleaf Red Feather Pinot Noir - Chardonnay 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $12.99
UPC 626990032250
Score 87/100
Remarks Bingo. The latest Red Feather hits all the right notes for the patio. The grapes are mostly pinot noir with a dash of chardonnay to lift the nose. The aroma is an earthy mix of strawberry and minerals. On the palate it is fresh and clean with a candied, strawberry fruit flavours and as is their style, there is just add enough sugar and acidity to keep your interest. A perfect summer patio wine again. Love the price.
Wine Black Hills Carmenere 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $28.90
UPC 8336665004058
Score 87/100
Remarks B.C.'s first carmenère is a pleasant surprise. It's leafy (almost vegetative) but like cabernet franc it can get away with a bit of that character if the fruit is ripe. Carmenère is tricky to grow, at least that's what the Chileans tell me - with its naturally low acidity and need to ripen very late if you wait to long it can be flabby but if you pick to soon it's too peppery and herbaceous. In this case Black Hills has come close to hitting the mark with the leafy rubbery earthy fruit mixing with some sweet black fruit tones in the back end. The finish is soft and fiery. It doesn't have the real chocolate flavours you can get in ripe carmenère but these are young vines and it is a first crop. As the vines mature and the cardamom, tobacco, chocolate flavours come to the forefront it should be a varietal to watch.
Wine Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2006, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.00
UPC 626990000068
Score 89/100
Remarks Open honey, mineral, floral aromas with sweet lime rind notes. Rich, ripe and round in the mouth with a brightness and texture that sets B.C. pinot gris apart for its competitors. Fresh juicy mineral fruit with bits of red apple honey and ripe pear fill the palate. The finish is dry with citrus undertones. A fine effort.
Wine CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.09
UPC 778913026065
Score 87/100
Remarks The '07 ehrenfelser from CedarCreek has summer written all over it. The nose is a mix of sweet honeysuckle, tangerine and minerals. Fresh and ripe its creamy textures offer up bits of pink grapefruit, floral, peachy mineral flavours. A perfect solo sipper for summer or pair with spicy, Asian or Indian dishes.
Wine Church and State Merlot Coyote Bowl 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.99
UPC 840098080108
Score 87/100
Remarks Cherry, chocolate, vanilla, mint, coriander, pudding, compost aromas. Dry, round, full bodied with grainy tannins. Lots of cedar, spice, vanilla, menthol, mocha, cherry, peppery flavours. Very warm finish with big spicy oak up front but some good berry fruit. Should improve over the next few years.
Wine Church and State Syrah 2005, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.00
UPC 00626990068501
Score 88/100
Remarks Tasted several times this single vineyard syrah from the south Okanagan is coming into its own. The entry is soft and ripe, the tannins light and the flavours a big mix of peppery, vanilla, chocolate pudding, black cherry and licorice root. Fairly oaky but it appears to be soaking into the wine at this point. I'm a bit surprised to see this in government stores but there you have it. Grab it while you can.
Wine Fairview Cellars Merlot 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.90
UPC 850104000532
Score 87/100
Remarks Pruny, peppery, spicy, black cherry, dark chocolate, resiny, tobacco, gamey, barnyard aromas. Dry, rich, alcoholic palate with supple tannins. Peppery, black cherry jam, kirsch, chocolate, resiny, licorice root flavours with some tobacco leaf and cedar in the finish. Solid but a bit chunky and hot.
Wine Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.90
UPC 850104000549
Score 87/100
Remarks Open buttery, vanilla, honey, lemon oil nose with sweaty grapefruit rind and passion fruit aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with an oily texture. Vanilla, spicy cinnamon, butter, grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy melon rind flavours. Good solid fruit core and balance if a touch oaky on the finish.
Wine Foxtrot Pinot Noir 2004, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $49.99
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks Spicy, celery salt, worsteshire, rootsy nose with lifted cherry aromas spiked with a touch of garlic and vanilla. Round, dry, supple, slightly tannic palate on entry with coffee, black cherry, balsamic, cooked rhubarb, rootsy flavours. Warm finish with some oak showing but with good acidity balance. Needs 1-3 years to round out. Fine first effort for a solid entry-level pinot.
Wine Foxtrot Pinot Noir 2005, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $49.99
UPC
Score 88/100
Remarks Floral, spicy, celery salt nose with cooked cherry, worsteshire, pepper and lifted, pruny rootsy aromas. Soft, round, supple entry with spicy, mocha, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, soy flavours. Finish is warm with some bits of orange spice, lees and cedar. A slightly riper, warmer, plusher version of the 2004. Well done.
Wine Herder Josephine Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc 2005, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $28.90
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks Similar to last year it opens with dill, olive, tobacco and sweet vanilla notes mixed with milk chocolate, cedar, sweaty saddle, gamey aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with slightly dry tannins. Spicy, vanilla, floral, cola, chocolate, cherry jam, resiny, licorice flavours. Good texture and balance, needs a year or so to soften.
Wine Herder Pinot Gris 2006, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.90
UPC 814372000304
Score 88/100
Remarks The Herder 2006 Pinot Gris is un-oaked and blends fruit from the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Honey earth and pears greet the nose in a delicious mix of fruit and liveliness. If there was ever a poster boy for no oak in Pinot gris this could be it. The plate is packed with green apple fruit bits bread dough mineral and citrus. The finish is lip-smacking fry. Yeah, and long live B.C. pinot gris.
Wine Hillside Estate Mosaic Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $34.95
UPC 626990028932
Score 87/100
Remarks Certainly an improvement over the '03. The latest Mosaic blends, merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot and nine months of French and American oak. The entry is sweet almost JT like with plenty of mocha coffee chocolate highlights and a ripe dark fruit finish. Christmas cake and dried fruit describes the finish. This will have a lot of and although now that it is cleaner than ever we would like to see a slightly drier version.
Wine Hillside Estate Muscat Ottonel Reserve Series 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.95
UPC 626990019152
Score 87/100
Remarks A repeat performance is always welcomed when the previous year was good too. Consistency is the ultimate compliment. Love the fresh spicy, floral nose with hints of ginger and honey. Crisp and juicy on the palate with more mineral, ginger, green apple skin flecked with orange. Like last year its bit viognier-like in the finish. Well done again.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.00
UPC 620654632107
Score 88/100
Remarks Bright, fresh green apple, lime rind, spicy, floral, creamy lees aromas. Round, crisp, baked green apple, citrus rind, mineral, creamy lees with a touch of guava. Fine cooler fruit version with verve. Best with food but works on th epatio too. Ready to drink.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Zinfandel 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 620654015702
Score 87/100
Remarks Briar, resin, spicy, black berry, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, plum and licorice aromas. Very warm, round but dry with somewhat cedar-y, tight tannins. Peppery, spicy, rootsy, cedar, black raspberry, chocolate flavours. Solid but very dry and tannic on the finish. Needs a few years to round out.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Merlot Reserve 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 00620654011087
Score 87/100
Remarks A fine dark colour previews a rich, open, vanilla minty nose with cherry, pepper, dill and plum flavours. The finish is slightly dry with more licorice, black fruit and good acidity. It's warm (alcoholic) but maturing niclel and is easily tamed by a roasted leg of lamb.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Reserve 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $13.49
UPC 00620654011070
Score 87/100
Remarks While I'm not a huge fan of pinot blanc, winemaker Sandor Mayer is doing a solid job with it. Like the previous year it has plenty of peach, red apples, nectarine notes in its floral nose. It warm if not a bit hot on the palate with more red apple, nectarine, and citrus rind flavours. This finish is long and warm. Think turkey dishes or perhaps even pork. Fine value.
Wine Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Grigio Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $15.99
UPC 00620654011094
Score 87/100
Remarks Inniskillin always makes a flavourful pinot gris and in 2006 it's no exception. Floral, almost orange blossom notes greet the nose. The entry is round and fresh and slightly sweet with red apple, mineral citrus nutty fruit flavours with a touch of lime rind in the finish.
Wine Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.78
UPC 063657005668
Score 90/100
Remarks Winemaker Bruce Nicholson may be gone and this wine will reminds most that he will be missed. Typical JT it is rich, dense and sweet on the nose and the palate. Sweet cherry jam, vanilla and chocolate notes preview a big mouth-filling merlot with just a touch of spicy black olives. Lovely ripe characters pervade the finish with coffee and smoky oak and a dusting of tannin. Should keep well for five to seven years.
Wine Joie A Noble Blend Gewurztraminer - Kerner - Pinot Blanc - Ehrenfelser - Riesling 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.90
UPC
Score 89/100
Remarks The 2006 Noble Blend swaps out the ehrenfelser for muscat leaving all the previous components: gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot blanc, kerner, and riesling, more or less the same. This is a delicious style of wine that should be widely imitated in the Okanagan. Floral, spicy, sausage notes with peachy, litchi fruit and just a touch of oil in the texture and some residual sweetness make it a delight to sip. Bravo.
Wine Joie Pinot Noir Rosé Pinot Noir - Gamay - Maréchal Foch 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.90
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks The Joie wines continue to improve in 2006. The Rosé is fresher with bright, melon notes and a dash of pink grapefruit. The entry is soft with some obvious sugar but the acidity is lively and the flavours fresh. Drink all summer on the restaurant patio, which is about the only place you can buy it.
Wine Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.90
UPC 626990033165
Score 88/100
Remarks Lake Breeze gets a lot of press for their pinotage but this merlot is well worth investigating. Just enough pepper and acidity takes it out of the sweet realm and into the more serious, worth cellaring category. Look for a fragrant dry red with bits of licorice, black fruit, tobacco and smoky resin. Perfect for grill steaks.
Wine Lang Vineyards Riesling Farm Winery Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.90
UPC 626990020684
Score 88/100
Remarks Lang's most consistent wine hits all the buttons again in 2006. Orange blossom and honey mix with green apple aromas on the nose while the palate is a tangy mix of minerals, baked apple and citrus rind flavours. Not as complex as we would like, especially given the hefty $5 per bottle price increase, but it's fun to sip and should be for sometime now that it is under screwcap.
Wine Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $20.00
UPC 850451001145
Score 87/100
Remarks Big clean and crisp best describes this wooded pinot gris that spends about seven months in second year oak barrels getting plenty of lees contact. The nose is mix of mineral honey and floral notes with a crisp, citrus, fruity mid-palate and a leesy finish. Fine complexity, if but a bit warm in the finish. Made for food and cooler weather.
Wine Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Pinot Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $22.00
UPC 850451001152
Score 87/100
Remarks Laughing Stock's "Small Caps program is home to this 75/25 mix of pinot gris and pinot blanc. The pinot blanc seems to bolster the otherwise earthy mineral notes of the gris adding a sweet peachy, nectarine skin quality to the fruit which is both spicy, warm and slightly sour in the finish. Only 170 cases were made so they should have no problem moving this at $22 a pop.
Wine Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $21.99
UPC 776545991034
Score 88/100
Remarks More or less a carbon copy of the '05 with its fresh, crisp, lemony demeanour. The entry is lip-smacking fresh with northern Italian honeyed grapefruit, green apple mineral tones mixed with some creamy mid-palate textures. A touch less dry, or conversely fruitier than the previous version which I'm sure will be welcomed by most sippers. Made for B.C coastal food. Well done.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2005, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 836909011416
Score 89/100
Remarks Winemaker Randy Picton's latest Q2 chardonnay is a treat to drink. Much like the '04 it has spicy, cinnamon, leesy character on the nose mixed with baked apple and honey notes. The entry is dry, and a touch less fat with nutty lees, mineral, pear and honey flavours with some green apple skin and resin in the aftertaste. The finish is warm, creamy and a touch sweet. You can drink this now or hold it a year or two. Well done.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2004, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 836909010600
Score 89/100
Remarks Much like last year the 04 opens with a cedar-y - mocha nose with bits of smoky bacon and spice. On the palate it's suave and showing some restraint with fine-grained, dry-ish tannins and plenty of peppery, cedar, olive and black fruit flavours with a twist of garrigue. An impressive young wine, if a bit dry, that dabbles in restraint. Needs thee to five years to fully develop.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2004, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 836909011423
Score 89/100
Remarks Spicy, smoky peppery, clove aromas flecked with black olives, tobacco and black cherry. On the plate it has a sweet fruit character, with coffee cocoa espresso, cherry flavours. Fragrant, warm peppery resiny red with chunky tannins. Well made and should improve over the next 3 to 5 years.
Wine Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2005, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $34.99
UPC 836909004098
Score 88/100
Remarks Chocolate, sausage, spicy, savoury, black pepper, licorice root, garrigue aromas with a touch of black cherry. Soft, round, dry, slightly tannic palate. Spicy, plum, peppery, licorice, smoky resin, and tobacco leaf flavours. Some light tannins to shed but should be a solid performer for the next 2 years.
Wine Noble Ridge Meritage Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2003, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.95
UPC 626990042778
Score 88/100
Remarks The first time we have tasted this wine and it's an impressive start. The blend is an 80/20 merlot/cabernet and fine use of cabernet in our estimation. Love the plush dark fruit (okay maybe it's a bit warm and lifted) and the chocolate mint notes on the nose and palate. Lots of vanilla and plenty of alcohol give it a smooth 'sweet' finish. A solid start that should point to better wines as some refinement is brought to the mix. Drink or hold for five years.
Wine Osoyoos Larose Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $40.00
UPC 871610001554
Score 88/100
Remarks Smoky, coriander, tobacco, dill, chocolate, cedar, saddle leather, floral aromas. Dry, round, slightly tight entry with chewy tannins. Floral, cherry, tobacco, rootsy, licorice, vanilla, prune, cranberry, and cedar flavours. Improving complexity and balance but the textures and tannins are still quite austere. Needs 2-4 years.
Wine Peller Estates Private Reserve Chardonnay 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 048162005556
Score 87/100
Remarks Peller Estates appears to be turning the quality corner after years of less than distinguished winemaking. The '05 PR chardonnay is hand-picked and stainless steel-fermented before spending 9 to 12 months in mostly used French and American oak. The result is an attractive wine with a honeyed fruit nose, fine acidity and generous textures on the palate. It's not complex but it's a crowd pleaser and it hits the value for money mark.
Wine Pentage Winery Pinot Gris 2006, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.95
UPC
Score 87/100
Remarks The first, Pentâge pinot gris I have tasted gets a big thumbs up and it comes out of a very stylish, three-litre bag-in-a-(black)-box. The long but extremely narrow container fits perfectly, out of the way, along the sidewall of your refrigerator - ready to be poured from its state-of-the-art spout device. The winery claims it will have a three- month life span not that it will last more than a week in my house, but if you only want a glass and you need each one to be fresh, this is the ticket. Best of all, the wine is pretty delicious. Zesty lime rind and pink grapefruit flavours make it easy to sip. It's a bit more sauvignon than pinot gris but I can live with that thanks to the orange rind and mineral notes in the finish. Oh yes, it also sold in regular 750 ml bottles for $18.
Wine Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc Chasselas - Pinot Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $15.99
UPC 77856106053
Score 87/100
Remarks It's been a couple of years since I have this blend and winemaker Grant Stanley has done a nice job cleaning this up and bringing the fruit to the foreground. Look for fresh mineral, floral notes in an otherwise delicious sipping white wine. Do as the winery suggests and serve it with a fresh spinach salad with sun dried cranberries, pea sprouts, toasted almonds and orange poppy seed vinaigrette.
Wine Quails' Gate Chardonnay Limited Release 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.99
UPC 778856105018
Score 88/100
Remarks Slightly fresher than the previous edition the '05 Limited Release has an inviting mineral, flinty nose bits of honey and baked apple. The entry is dry with grapefruit, mineral, honey flavours that finish with a dash of citrus oil. It is contemporary, New World chardonnay with the oak under control. Best with food and I like the suggestions of pork tenderloin or West Coast seafood.
Wine Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.99
UPC 778856106039
Score 88/100
Remarks Open sweaty grapefruit rind with bits of passion fruit. It's super tight and crisp with impressive flavours of juicy green apple, grapefruit rind and honey/mineral flecks. An easy-sipping shellfish white with a small percentage of sauvignon blanc to lift the fruit and a bit of barrel fermented chenin blanc to boost the mouth texture.
Wine Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 778856106022
Score 87/100
Remarks Super fresh and clean style packed with floral, green apple skin and grapefruit aromas. On the palate the entry is equally fresh with plenty crisp citrus and grapefruit flavours with bits of lime oil and mineral. The finish I start and clean. Made for food and aficionados.
Wine Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.99
UPC 77856106060
Score 87/100
Remarks The former "Limited Release" label has new look and a crowd pleasing 10 grams per litre of residual sugar. It's fermented cold, in stainless steel, using north and central Okanagan fruit and the result is a terrific little gewürztraminer. It has a fresh, lively, pear and litchi nut fruit flavour flecked with spicy, floral, mineral bits. Thai, Indian, Chinese take your pick or put some away for that Thanksgiving turkey.
Wine Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $39.99
UPC 77856205206
Score 88/100
Remarks Spicy, celery salt, smoky, rhubarb, cherry, resiny aromas. Ripe, round, supple, slightly dry entry with very light tannins. Celery, strawberry, rhubarb, rootsy, smoky vanilla flavours with a bit of orange rind and resin on the finish. Good solid balance and intensity. Should improve over the next 2-4 years.
Wine Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Limited Release 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $24.99
UPC 778856104205
Score 87/100
Remarks The 05 Limited Release moves up another notch this year. Slightly riper with less resin and celery salt it's beginning to really smell and taste like pinot. The nose is mix of spicy sweet black cherry fruit with bits of barnyard and compost aromas. A cool climate supple red with slightly grippy, youthful, tannins at the backend. Lovely uncomplicated pinot from B.C.
Wine Sandhill Pinot Gris King Family Vineyard 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.99
UPC 058976350629
Score 89/100
Remarks This is the best and the weightiest, Sandhill pinot gris I have tasted and I have had all six vintages and surely it's the best fruit yet from the King Family vineyard in Naramata. It is so round and full-bodied, yet fresh, with smoky, grassy, nutty lime notes. On the palate there is plenty of zest and more mineral, green apple skin and buttery nutty notes. Kudos to the King family and winemaker Howard Soon for getting all of the flavour into the bottle.
Wine Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $17.99
UPC 058976380572
Score 87/100
Remarks Similar to last year, the '06 comes with a gooseberry, passion fruit, grassy, canned asparagus nose albeit slightly cleaner and fresher under screw cap. Round, dry, crisp palate with juicy canned grapefruit, gooseberry, lime and nettle flavours with a floral, grassy finish. Quite austere in the finish with some acidity to tame. Will improve over the next year or two.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah Sandhill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360741
Score 87/100
Remarks Black cherry, peppery, Band-Aid, cassis nose with smoky, resiny, coffee vanilla, roasted bell pepper aromas. Dry, round, elegant but slightly lean tannic entry. Very smoky, tobacco leaf, resiny, herbal, vanilla, coffee, sweaty saddle leather, olive flavours. Very tight, dry finish. Needs 1-3 years. 161 small lots made with 75/25 blend of cabernet sauvignon syrah.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program One Phantom Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Petit Verdot - Malbec 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $32.99
UPC 058976360659
Score 88/100
Remarks Olive, dill, tobacco, cassis, smoky, peppery, coffee nose. Round, soft, supple palate but dry. Smoky, coffee, mocha, tobacco, cassis, black olive, savoury flavours. The finish has a touch of acidity and earthy herbal notes that will be a good match for roast beef. 511 small lots made with 82/9/9 percent cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec. Just needs some polish to shine.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Petit Verdot Phantom Creek Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360758
Score 88/100
Remarks Now one of the best 'Small Lots' is Richard Cleave's Phantom Creek Petit Verdot. Smoky, coffee, mocha, peppery notes mix with cherry, floral, cranberry and saddle leather aromas. Round, dry, elegant, supple but with some youthful grainy tannins. Floral, cranberry, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, cherry, smoky vanilla, coriander and caraway flavours. Good intensity if a bit light on extract. Very smoky, oaky finish but should dissipate over the next 1-2 years. Good effort. 124 small lots made.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Sangiovese Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $26.99
UPC 058976360680
Score 87/100
Remarks Spicy, mocha, chocolate pudding, black cherry, saddle leather, savour, floral, animal aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Peppery, coffee, pudding, vanilla, savoury, licorice and black cherry flavours and showing a fair bit of oak. Grippy back end with youthful light tannins. Needs food now or try in 1-2 years. 406 small lots made.
Wine Sandhill Small Lots Program Three Sandhill Estate Vineyard Sangiovese - Barbera - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $29.99
UPC 058976360703
Score 88/100
Remarks Rootsy, licorice, black cherry, chocolate pudding, spicy, savoury, gamey aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean entry with a bit of acidity showing. Smoky, vanilla, cherry, savoury, tobacco leaf, peppery, cassis flavours with a coffee finish. A bit young and warm, need a year or two to round out. 411 cases made with a blend of 48/37/10/5 sangiovese, barbera, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Wine St. Hubertus Rose Gamay Noir 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $14.00
UPC 625259105056
Score 87/100
Remarks Light fresh airy and perfectly tuned for food. The entry is bright and fresh with cranberry cherry citrus fruit flavours spiked with strawberry, mineral, apple skin notes. Tight and fresh on the finish. Well done. Serve liberally on the patio.
Wine Stag's Hollow Meritage Renaissance Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $35.00
UPC 626990057321
Score 87/100
Remarks Smoky, cedar, meaty, saddle leather, cooked carrot, cranberry, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Smoky, resin, peppery, tobacco, cranberry, black olive, vanilla, spicy resin flavours with a leathery, gamey finish. The finish is a bit acidic and dry at this point but it has potential to improve in the bottle. Hold two to three years. Pricey.
Wine Stag's Hollow Merlot 2004, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $21.99
UPC 626990025955
Score 88/100
Remarks Another stylish effort from Stag's Hollow where it seems the funky red syndrome has final left the premises. Not too dark but nevertheless full-flavoured with a big smoky, cherry jam nose with flecks of earth. Bordelais styling with a vibrant mid-palate and in a soft, medium-weight, balanced red. The finish is warm but this is a solid effort for the price. 500 cases produced.
Wine Summerhill Pyramid Merlot 2004, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.95
UPC 779000122318
Score 88/100
Remarks Coffee predominates on the nose and palate of what is a well made clean merlot with just enough spicy fruit and acidity to remain balanced. A simple soft, tasty, clean 100 per cent organic merlot that should have broad appeal.
Wine Tantalus Riesling 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.90
UPC 626990054474
Score 89/100
Remarks Similar to the 05 the latest Tantalus has an equally inviting floral, orange blossom peachy nose with a high dose of minerality and a pinch of salt. Almost Mosel-like in its crispness and red apple crunch with more lime rind and green peach flavours in the finish. A crisp, lip smacking style that will appeal to the purists and food lovers.
Wine Tantalus Rosé 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $25.00
UPC 626990067382
Score 87/100
Remarks I don't imagine there is much of this around. But it's worth looking for if you can find it. The nose dry and restrained with earthy black fruit undertones reminding one of, at least a little bit, Tavel. On the palate it's clean and fresh with peppery citrus berry fruit flavour. Best with summery small plates and finger food.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Artist Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $19.00
UPC 854505001242
Score 88/100
Remarks The "Artist" gris from Therapy is a limited production wine that was made to support the "South Okanagan Women in Need Society" (SOWINS). Local artists were asked to submit work based on theme "Woman in the Community" and the winner was Liz Marshall for her piece titled "Bell" that appears on the front label. The wine is great fun. Unoaked it jumps from the glass with a fresh citrus scent and mixed into mineral pear flavours. Bright fresh light and easy drinking it is a perfect summer sipper with a delicious dry finish. Bravo.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Pink Freud 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $18.00
UPC 854505001198
Score 87/100
Remarks The latest Pink Freud is a 60/30/10 blend of shiraz/merlot/pinot noir cold soaked and then runoff after 24 hours. Love the fresh, citrus berry fruit nose and flavours and the crisp palate. Lively, fresh and tasty it's all you could want in an $18 rosé.
Wine Therapy Vineyards Pinot Gris 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $22.00
UPC 854505001211
Score 87/100
Remarks Light, fun, skinny, pear/ mineral, pinot grigio style gris with a fresh, citrus, aftertaste. Light and simple but well made and if served with the correct food, as in not too powerful, this should be a fun summer sipper. Not cheap.
Wine Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.00
UPC 624802981024
Score 87/100
Remarks This screwcap version is as goods as it gets now. This is light, delicate, pinot gris that is made for summer sipping and it's perfectly revealed in this format. Look for light floral notes mixed with delicious crisp green apple mineral and nectarine notes. The finish is round, soft and dry with just a hint of sweet fruit.
Wine Wild Goose Gewurztraminer Mystic River Vineyard 2005, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price $16.95
UPC 626990040729
Score 89/100
Remarks Cooler crisper more mineral version of the regular WG gewürztraminer and without the resin or soap. This is a delicious bottle of wine and has myriad food possibilities from curried chicken to Szechuan prawns and beyond. Fresh clean finish. Well done.
Written By: ag
