December 6, 2010 - B.C.'s Best From A to Z

87 8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct
Floral, melon, earthy, spicy, matchstick, pear, light butter and slate aromas. Ripe, round, full, somewhat sweet entry with baked red apple, citrus, pear, honey, lychee flavours. Good intensity and ripeness if a bit too sweet on the finish. Try this with spicy Pan Asian cuisine to best effect. (AG-ST)

87 8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00
Leafy, rhubarb, stewed strawberry, leesy, resin, chocolate, gamey aromas. Round, dry, somewhat tart, lean palate but with some elegance. The flavours mix sour cherry, rhubarb, chocolate, spicy, tobacco leaf, herbal, carrot flavours. Simple, cool, herbal style. (AG-ST)

87 Aces Pocket Kings Red Wine 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $65.00 winery direct
Big smoky, green olive, tobacco, herbal, coffee, pruny, cranberry, Christmas cake, coconut aromas. Dry, round, full, supple palate with smooth tannins. Chocolate, coffee, prune, vanilla, dried herb, cassis, cherry kirsch, cola, tobacco, soupy cranberry flavours. Warm, oaky, easy style for near term consumption. (AG-ST)

88 Aces Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $95.00 winery direct
Dank earth, meaty, mercaptan, leesy, espresso, milk chocolate, vanilla, stewed prune, cooked blackberry, resiny, savoury aromas. Round, full, supple palate with chocolate, espresso, pruny, cherry cola, vanilla, stewed berry, tobacco leaf, black tea flavours with some light, green tannins on the finish. Somewhat formulaic style with big toasted oak to dominate the fruit. A good start but the price is unrealistic, particularly for the quality. (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
A light vanilla/cream, nutty lees, baked green apple nose previews a somewhat lighter bodied chardonnay with a fresh elegant demeanour. Look for grapefruit, green apple, lemon, spicy lees, smoky, grassy vanilla flavours. The blend is 50 per cent barrel fermented and 50 per cent tank fermented to keep the fruit alive. Very crisp, citrusy style with a bit of toasted oak and lees. A perfect West Coast seafood wine. (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
A wonderful harvest has resulted in a terrific bottle of '07 Reserve or Striped Label chardonnay. We love the bright fruit and underlying creamy leesy character that adds complexity to the blend. The vineyard is 18 years old and planted to a mix of four French clones. Look for a crisp, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity, baked apple skin, garlic, nutty lees and spicy, citrus, nectarine skin flavours. Much in the style of a premier cru Chablis with a bit more oak. Attractive style for food but that will age further. Solid value here. (AG)

86 Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Peppery, earthy, spicy, black cherry, riparian nose with smoky, savoury, gamey aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate but the style is a bit tart and lean. The palate is a mix cherry, spicy, meaty, tobacco flavours flecked with herbal, peppery, riparian flavours. A rustic gamay for game birds. (AG-ST)

89 Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, private wine shops
The pinot blanc, two French clones, is now 24 years old at Blue Mountain. The Mavety strategy is to put more or less half in old wood barrels for and half in stainless steel tanks to ferment thereby preserving its delicate fruit. The '09 is positively swimming in bright fruit showing bits of peaches and apricots with flecks of citrus rind and green pear. Halibut, salmon, clams and even crab would be a wonderful fit here. One of the best pinot blancs in the valley. (AG)

88 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, private wine shops
One of the better young pinot noirs in the valleys this '08 really benefitted from warm days in August and September followed by cool evening. The vines range from 11 to 24 year old and include multiple clones of pinot noir that surely add to its complexity. Classic open top fermented, hand punch downs and lots of love and care reveal a wonderful mix of red and black fruit flavours with spice and vanilla throughout. The palate is dry and supple with fresh rhubarb, strawberry jam, barnyard and earthy, compost flavours. This will need time in the bottle to come about or you could serve t now with something like duck confit or roast turkey. (AG)

87 Camelot Vineyards Gewürztraminer 2009
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Fresh lychee, ginger, pear, green apple, floral, almond aromas. Round, light, slightly flat and sweet entry with honey, butter, nutty, lychee, sausage, ginger, mineral flavours. An easy sipping, friendly-style gewürztraminer that would be at home with turkey or Thai. (AG-ST)

87 Camelot Vineyards Riesling 2009
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Green apple, nectarine, matchstick, lime, floral aromas. Crisp, delicate, light palate that is slightly sweet a la Kabinett style. Lime, green apple, petrol, nectarine flavours. Solid crisp, delicate style riesling you can easily serve with your favourite Chinese food dishes. (AG-ST)

90 Desert Hills Syrah Select 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Expect a wonderful, rich, white pepper nose that jumps from the glass while the flavours mix smoked meat and black fruit with bits of barnyard and savoury dried herbs in the background. Fresh acidity marks what is a mostly French palate with tar, resin and leather in the finish. Perfect for roast lamb. (AG-ST)

88 Dunham Froese Amicitia Red 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah - Cabernet Franc - Malbec - Petit Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $28.00 winery direct
An interesting blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot with a bright floral, spicy, black cherry nose. The entry is warm and spicy with some obvious alcohol contributing to a smooth supple character in the mouth. The flavours are a mix of black cherry fruit, dried savoury herbs and cassis all heightened in intensity by the alcohol. Will appeal to some but we would like to see a bit less alcohol and more finesse in the future. Much cleaner than the previous version and well on track. (AG-ST)

87 Dunham Froese Amicitia White 2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon - Viognier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 speculative listing - Vino Allegro
Fresher cleaner nose this year with floral, honey, lychee, grapefruit, nettle aromas. Round, full, slightly oily palate with a nutty, lees, honey, baked pear, grapefruit, buttery flavours. Still a bit heavy and leesy on the palate but over all a solid effort. (AG-ST)

89 Dunham Froese Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $28.00 speculative listing - Vino Allegro
Clean spicy, black cherry and tobacco nose with savoury floral, dried herb notes. The entry is round and fresh with excellent balance. The palate is packed with mocha, black cherry and olive flavours with a healthy dose of tannins. Well-made merlot that needs another 15 to 18 months in bottle to settle its considerable tannin. (AG-ST)

90 Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lost Bars Vidal Icewine 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 specialty listing
Big lemon, lychee, marmalade, lime, spicy, honey, baked apple, mineral aromas. Rich, ripe, fresh, round, juicy palate with balanced sweetness. Orange, lime, floral, baked green apple, honey, plasticene, honey flavours. Good finesse and fruit in a forward style. (AG-ST)

88 Garry Oaks Prism 2009 Gewurztraminer - Chardonnay
Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 speculative listing - Red Dog
Very floral, spicy, honey, ginger, rose soap, green apple aromas. Round, fresh, off dry palate with ginger, spicy, floral, green apple, lees, light butter, honey, mineral, soap flavours. Fun, fresh style. (AG-ST)

87 Herder Josephine 2006 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $39.90 speculative listing - Landmark Selections
Huge smoky, espresso oak, vanilla nose with floral, plum, tobacco leaf, green olive, savoury, spicy notes. Dry, somewhat tannic, hard entry with a fair bit of acidity. Dried herbs, espresso, vanilla, tobacco leaf, cranberry, minty, black olive, resiny, licorice flavours with a bit of smoky roasted tomato, floral and cherry on the finish. Retasted 2 years later and now shows its high alcohol and acidity with hard tannins but has concentration. (AG-ST)

89 Herder Meritage 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Petit Verdot
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Attractive open, fresh, floral nose with plums, green olives and spicy savoury notes. Similar fresh notes on the palate with cran-cherry fruit and deftly handled tannins - hooray. This is the style we do best and one the world will welcome. Drink now with roasted meats or cellar for three to five years. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Late Harvest Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 (200 ml) specialty listing
Peach skin, floral, plastic, orange, green apple aromas. Fresh, ripe, sweet, elegant palate with butter, marmalade, baked apple, honey and minty, lime flavours. Solid balance and style in what is a delicious drinking late harvest wine. (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)

92 Jackson-Triggs Shiraz SunRock Vineyard 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 specialty listing, winery direct
This wine continues to impress me each year. The grapes come off a single vineyard site that is tucked up against a rock face that acts like a furnace at night after heating up in the sun all day. The nose and flavours are an intense mix of white pepper, smoked meat and black fruit from back to front. Dense, rich, bright and glossy, it is a syrah style that will appeal to those who love the New World with a twist of France. (AG)

87 JoieFarm PTG 2008 Pinot Noir - Gamay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
PTG stands for "Passetoutgrain" the classic, gulp-able red from Burgundy that combines gamay and pinot noir. At Joie the plan is a much more serious wine and while PTG has all the components to be good it remains a bit youthful and rustic lacking freshness and style. Intense cherry fruit is bathed in oak and spice and for the moment is not showing much other than primary, candied cherries and unknit oak and a warm spicy finish. Best with a hearty fall/winter dishes. (AG-ST)

88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust Red +10/10 2008 Merlot - Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 winery direct
Warm peppery, cherry/coffee/chocolate nose with bits of black olive, vanilla, liquorice root and savoury aromas. The entry is fresh with light, grainy tannins that preview a smoky, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, cherry red with flecks of worsteshire, grilled meat, black olive and dried herbs. Solid but quite oaky and somewhat short in mid-palate concentration (young vines?). We like the price and quality and high merlot content and expect this wine will continue to gain in weight and power in the bottle. Theblend is 78/13/9 merlot, malbec and cabernet sauvignon. (AG-ST)

88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah +24/9 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $34.10 winery direct
Spicy, vanilla, mocha, peppery, barnyard, blackberry, savoury aromas. Round, smooth, dry, fresh and warm palate with light tannins. Coffee, coconut, vanilla, peppery, spicy, chocolate, blackberry, tobacco leaf, meaty flavours with a cedary, green tea note on the finish. Warm and well-balanced but very oaky at this point. Next step a little less winemaking and little more soul. Give this another year or two in bottle for best results.This is the first syrah release at LS using East Bench Osoyoos vineyard fruit. The blend is 92 percent syrah with 8 percent viognier. (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Meaty, gamey, cherry jam, celery, prune, compost, vanilla, coffee aromas. Dry, tight, slightly sour but elegant palate. Rhubarb, sour cherry, herbal, incense, coffee, tobacco leaf, vanilla flavours. A bit oaky but solid fruit core. (AG-ST)

91 Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 specialty listing, AB $35.00 private wine stores, ON $35.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands
Green apple, citrus rind, light melon, orange, grapefruit aromas with a touch of vanilla and pear. Fresh, crisp, juicy, dry palate with ample acidity. Grapefruit, mineral, green apple, spicy lees, light vanilla, butter and nectarine flavours. Finish has a bit of lime and floral notes. Good finesse in a fresher style that should age well over the next few years. Bravo. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $25.00 fine wine boutiques
Gooseberry, hay, grapefruit, lemon grass, smoky, passion fruit aromas with a bit of grassy, minty, vanilla, butter notes. Fresh, dry, crisp style with a note of austerity. Elegant with juicy green apple, passion fruit, grapefruit, grassy, waxy, lemon, butter, vanilla, herbal, bell pepper flavours. Good acidity and balance with finesse. Not a showy wine but a great seafood match. Fine effort and value again. (AG-ST)

87 Mistaken Identity Charmela 2009 Chardonnay - Mela Apple
Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 (375 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro
A blend of organic chardonnay and heritage apples. Floral, minty, canned apple, honey, plasticene and citrus aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with some sweetness but good acidity. Baked green apple, spicy, citrus, honey, mineral flavours. A well balanced, juicy fruit wine. (AG-ST)

88 Nichol Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct
Spicy, sausage meat, lees, mineral, floral, green apple aromas with a touch of lychee. Fresh, crisp, dryer austere style with chalky, mineral, pear, earthy, spicy, green apple, sausage and lychee flavours with a slightly leesy finish. Good food style as it's not too intense or fat. Would surely benefit from a screwcap. (AG-ST)

87 Nichol Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct
Ruby colour. Peppery, prune, cherry, tobacco, carrot top, strawberry, dried herb, meaty, saddle leather aromas. Dry, slightly lean, elegant and fresh palate with very light, dry tannins. Strawberry, herbal, tobacco leaf, worsteshire, meaty, spicy, carrot and celery root flavours. A delicate, cooler, lean style for near term consumption with its lower alcohol. (AG)

88 Nichol Vineyard Syrah 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Peppery, licorice, blackberry, savoury, tobacco, floral, vanilla, rooty, sausage and barnyard aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with black cherry, meaty, savoury, liocorice, vanilla, sage, tobacco leaf and dried herb flavours. Finish is a bit warm and tart but has good fruit and balance for near term consumption. (ST)

88 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 vqa and private stores, winery direct
Solid round, dry, elegant palate with dark fruit aromas and light tannins. Coffee, savoury, liquorice, tobacco, earthy, black olive, resin and prune plum flavours. Good finesse and balance but still showing some savoury green elements that need to disappear so this wine can move to the next level. (AG-ST)

87 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 specialty listing, vqa and private stores, winery direct
Cedar, chocolate, leather, savoury, meaty, cassis, minty, sappy, bay leaf and cranberry aromas reminiscent of Maipo Valley, Chile. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with light tannins. Spicy, peppery, black cherry, olive, cedar, minty, meaty, coffee, resin and leather flavours with a minty, sour cherry, black tea finish. Warm and a bit rustic on the tannins, needs a year or two to soften. (AG-ST)

88 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Black cherry, savoury, peppery, meaty, vanilla, floral, herbal, black olive, leather and tobacco aromas with a touch of prune and mocha. Round, dry, elegant but leaner style palate. Savoury, licorice root, vanilla, dried herb, cherry, tobacco, black olive, rooty flavours. Well balanced and forward. Slightly riper fruit would perfectly complete the picture. (AG-ST)

87 Painted Rock Chardonnay 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Mango, butter, vanilla, lees, canned grapefruit aromas with a touch of fruit cocktail and baked green apple. Dry, crisp, somewhat austere entry with light extract. Light lees, vanilla, butter, grapefruit, passion fruit, green apple skin flavours and a touch of cedar. Finish is waxy with a very buttery, tart, austere edge. All headed in the right direction it just needs a bit more fruit intensity to absorb the rest of the wine. (AG-ST)

87 Pétales d'Osoyoos 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 private wine shops
The current Pétales, edition No. 4, is tight and restrained with resiny, cherry, black olive aromas with dried herbs and coffee in the back end. Similar resin and dry tannins mark its palate which while elegant remains tight and closed with peppery, cranberry fruit. Surprisingly tight for a second label, it needs another three to five years in the bottle. (AG-ST)

89 Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Tobacco, leather, cedar, coffee, cherry jam, vanilla, prune and violet aromas. Ripe, round, rich, dry palate with some light, grainy tannins. Cedar, coffee, cola, cranberry, tobacco leaf, floral, black cherry and tea flavours. Good structure and finesse, will improve over the next 2-4 years. Excellent. (AG-ST)

87 Poplar Grove Chardonnay 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Inviting, butter, light lees, pineapple, grapefruit, baked apple aromas with a nutty/bread, note. Round, ripe, soft, light-bodied style with an oily touch in the finish. Guava, leesy, buttery, pineapple, grapefruit rind and green apple flavours with a light nutty, bitter citrus note. Classy mid-weight chardonnay for chicken and seafood dishes. (AG-ST)

89 Poplar Grove Merlot 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Expect a lovely rich version of merlot here with plenty of sweet oak and bright fruit with a savoury dried herbs undercurrent. Big and form with a slightly lean undercarriage. Try now with roasted meats or wait three years to full maturity. All this needs is a bit more finesse. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Quails' Gate Late Harvest Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 (375 ml) specialty listing, AB $30.00 (375 ml) fine wine shops, MB $30.00 (375 ml), ON $30.00 (375 ml), SK $30.00 (375 ml)
Light gold colour. Big inviting honey, orange rind, butter, floral, lime, spicy, light sausage, apricot and lanolin nose. Ripe, rich, fresh, elegant palate with good sugar acid balance. Spicy, lychee, baked apple, honey, orange rind, waxy, apricot, lanolin flavours. Good juicy style with lots of fun fruit. Drink while young and fresh to retain the fruit. Delicious. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Stewart Family Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Back to a cooler leafy, tobacco, rhubarb nose with , carrot top, earthy, celery salt aromas. Dry, elegant, supple but tart with light, green tannins. Rhubarb, herbal, celery, coffee, rooty, minty, tobacco leaf flavours. Elegant but very cool and leafy style with light extract and a tart finish. Needs more fruit. (AG-ST)

88 Red Rooster Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $18.99 private wine shops
Love the fresh nose of lemon, peach and pear aromas seemingly magically released by its screwcap lid. The flavours are similar with pear, green apple notes and a nice riff of mineral and a hint of butter. It finishes round but refreshing. Well made and perfect for the bird. Good value. (AG-ST)

89 Road 13 Viognier Riesling Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Viognier - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Spicy, floral, ginger, bubble gum, grassy, grapefruit aromas. The palate is fresh, crisp, juicy and a bit oily with some sweetness. Peach, honey, passion fruit, orange, gooseberry and guava flavours. A bit sweet on the finish but has great fruit for a fun drink. Another Pan Asian food-friendly wine. (AG-ST)

88 Rollingdale Merlot Iversen Vineyard Organic 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 winery direct
Impressive organic merlot grown along the Golden Mile. The attack is fresh with vanilla and black fruit. Perhaps too much oak on the nose but the palate is well balanced and exhibits some finesse. Black fruit and bitter chocolate precede its dry finish. Best in two years or drink now with lamb. (AG-ST)

90 Rollingdale Pinot Gris Icewine 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 (200 ml) winery direct
Light gold colour. Slightly mature nose with honey, butter, citrus, baked pear, plasticene aromas. Rich, round, elegant but slightly fat and sweet palate. Baked pear, waxy, honey, nutty, candied citrus, butterscotch and apricot flavours. A bit unusual but has good fruit and intensity for more near-term consumption. Sumptuous styling. (AG-ST)

88 Sandhill Small Lots Program Malbec Phantom Creek Vineyard 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct online only, AB $32.99 fine wine shops
Big leafy, peppery, herbal, tobacco, savoury dill, clove, liquorice aromas. The palate is round, dry and supple giving this red an easy-drinking style. The flavours mix pepper, dill, tobacco, savoury, mushroom, rooty, cherry flavours. Very malbec if a bit on the greener side. There is good potential though. The mix includes 11 per cent petit verdot. (AG-ST)

90 Sandhill Small Lots Program Syrah Phantom Creek Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery, private wine shops
Peppery, weedy, plum, spicy, smoky, herbal, meaty, coffee, tobacco aromas. Round, full, soft and supple with a warm edge. Smoky, plum, cherry, riparian, vanilla, tobacco, cherry, savoury herbal flavours with a pruny edge. Good textures and concentration that finishes warm. Bring on the roast lamb. (AG)

91 See Ya Later Ranch Rover 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $27.00 private wine stores
Every year this wine seems to get better and better. Like the '07 this is impressive syrah with spicy, floral, black plum, blackberry, peppery, meaty, leather, vanilla, savoury aromas. Rich, full, warm, ripe but fresh and slightly tannic palate. Black cherry, plum, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, floral, orange, meaty, peppery flavours. Very good balance and fruit if warm and big. Drink now or up to 5 years. An attractive drinking syrah at a super attractive price. (AG-ST)

88 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Ripe pear, floral, chalky, orange, grapefruit rind aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly heavier palate with some sweetness. Juicy pear, melon rind, earthy, grapefruit rind, chalky, spicy flavours. Good intensity with an austere edge but has body to go with seafood or chicken. (AG-ST)

91 Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2008 Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc - Kerner - Muller Thurgau - Oraniensteiner - Schönburger
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 (200 ml) winery direct
Lots of marmalade, minty, baked pear, green apple, honey, plasticene, floral, apricot aromas. Rich, full, juicy, sweet style but good acidity balance. Honey, orange, lime, apricot, floral, spicy, granny smith, creamy flavours. Very juicy, fruity, tart finish with good finesse. Attractive style for fruit flan or lemon tart. Well done. (AG-ST)

87 Summerhill Estate Winery Cipes Brut 2008 Riesling - Pinot Blanc - Chardonnay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00
Lots of fine, foamy mousse. The nose is a mix of bruised green apple, mineral, spice, light garlic, pear, and citrus rind aromas. Fresh, crisp, off-dry style with green apple skin, nutty, citrus, honey, bitter grapefruit, floral flavours. Solid but finishes a touch skinny and bitter. (AG)

88 Tantalus Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $30.00 private wine stores, SK $30.00
Spicy, clove, maraschino, strawberry, tobacco leaf, smoky, orange, compost, herbal aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean but juicy palate. Herbal, raspberry, smoky, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, savoury, compost flavours. A bit tart but good finesse and cool fruit for near term consumption. Solid effort. Diem cork. (AG-ST)

88 Tantalus Riesling 2009
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $23.00 private wine stores, SK $23.00
The acidity appears toned down to a manageable level this year but this wine is special when it comes to BC riesling. The fruit is bright and juicy with bits of citrus zest and guava over a subtle mix of pears, apples and melons. There is a hint of sugar in the finish that balances off the whole picture. A touch clumsy but otherwise heading in a very positive direction. A fine effort in a tough vintage. The fruit comes off vines 30 years and older in age. The fruit is 100 percent estate grown and organically farmed. (AG-ST)

90 Tinhorn Creek Kerner Icewine 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $49.95
Waxy, peach, honey, baked pear and light citrus aromas. Soft, round, full, sweet, elegant style with a big floral, honey, waxy, baked peach, citrus and orange flavours. A sweeter, easy-drinking or should we say sipping style with good fruit for early consumption. One of the better editions of this grape. (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)

88 Twisted Tree Syrah 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants
Meaty, peppery, sausage, spicy, garrigue, resin, tobacco, vanilla, espresso and tobacco leaf aromas. Round, soft but somewhat tart palate giving a touch of leanness. Warm with big espresso, coffee oak, vanilla, peppery, blackberry jam, meaty, floral flavours with a leafy note on the finish. Good savoury fruit notes but needs some additional texture and extract to balance the acidity. (AG-ST)

87 Twisted Tree Tempranillo 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $28.00 winery direct
Open spicy, sage, savoury nose with cherry, leafy, clove, poultry spice, liquorice and meaty, floral aromas. Ripe, round, supple, warm and fresh palate but a bit hard and green in the tannins. Savoury, spicy, vanilla, liquorice root, tobacco leaf, black tea, cherry jam and coffee flavours. Good solid effort with what has been a tough variety for the Okanagan. (AG-ST)

88 Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Three years in a row constitutes consistency and this Naramata pinot grigio has it. Love the bright floral, spicy, ginger and peach fruit that spills onto the palate with bits of lemon oil, green apple skin, light lees and nectarine flavours. Solid fruit expression with balance just a whisper of that oily Alsace body and heat. Well done. (AG-ST)

91 Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2007
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Open aromatic spicy, cedar, tobacco, meaty nose with bits of cherry, prune and floral aromas. Attractive round, dry, supple tannins but with fine acidity. More vanilla, chocolate, plum, cherry, cedar, tobacco and spicy coffee flavours. A bit warm and chunky with big tannins on the finish. Still a bit of a brute but with potential to improve over the next 2-5 years. Very good fruit and concentration. Bravo. (AG-ST)

87 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Ginger, dried lychee, rose petal, sausage, green apple, floral, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, light, somewhat sweet palate with lychee, grapefruit rind, honey, bitter ginger, sausage flavours. A bi oily and rindy but fun style. (AG-ST)

88 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer Mystic River Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Ginger, grapefruit, rose petal, lychee, honey, and lemon oil and light lees aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet palate with a touch of spritz. Green apple skin, honey, leesy, ginger, rose petal, zingy, grapefruit rind flavours. Finish is solid but a bit too much of bitter ginger. (AG-ST)