Fall VQA Release in Government Stores

Liquor Stores special release of VQA wines.

In all, 26 VQA labels seldom seen outside of the wineries will be available for sale in limited quantities at nine BC Liquor Stores.

This wouldn't be any big deal in a normal wine world, but in the convoluted, highly taxed B.C. wine market the appearance of high-end B.C. wine in a government store (wine that is normally only sold direct from the winery or snapped up by the trade) is something worth touting.

You can pick up a brochure that lists all the wines available in the release at your nearby B.C. Liquor Store, or check it out online at www.bcliquorsto res.com/en/instorepromotions/ bestofbc2005.

The sale begins today at 39th and Cambie, and Thurlow and Alberni (Vancouver); Park Royal (West Vancouver); HighGate Village (Burnaby); Nordel Crossing (Surrey); Westwood Centre (Port Coquitlam); Fort Street (Victoria); Penticton Plaza (Penticton); and Orchard Park (Kelowna), while supplies last.

If it isn't too early to use the "holiday" word and you are looking for something unique from B.C., the entire selection fits the bill. Here are six of my favourites.

The Tinhorn Creek Oldfield's Collection Merlot 2002 is the second release under screwcap for the Collection series and this time the entire production is under Stelvin closure, a well-tested method. Look for a spicy, cardamom, smoky, dill and black cherry nose with integrated vanilla, licorice and saddle- leather notes. The palate is awash in smoky, peppery, black plum fruit streaked with mocha, tobacco, flecks of orange notes. A richer version of the 2001 that should age comfortably in this bottle for a decade or more.

Smoky, spicy, resiny, vanilla previews the Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2003. This is not a generous fruity style pinot but rather more resiny, smoky and rootsy with cola and black cherry flavours. Like many 2003s, it will need time to tame the tannins and let that alcohol subside.

The Jackson-Triggs Meritage Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2002 has been fun to drink from the start. Typically JT with a huge, smoky oak, vanilla, black pepper, chocolate pudding nose and similar flavours with ripe blackberry jam, sweet vanilla pudding, clove and black olive flavours and a warm finish. It is a big, oaky style but with fine ripeness and intensity.

There is a new pinnacle at Sumac Ridge, and it's white. The Sumac Ridge 2004 White Pinnacle is somewhat Caymus Conundrum-like. The blend is an ambitious mix of seven varieties: chardonnay, sauvignon, semillon, pinot blanc, gewurztraminer, muscat and ehrenfelser. Less than 40 per cent was barrel-fermented and the result is an innovative fresh aroma-driven white with tropical fruit and citrus flavours. Should become quite a hit in B.C.

The creamy lees, vanilla and green apple, floral notes signal another intriguing CedarCreek Chardonnay Platinum Reserve 2003. It's dry, fresh, round and elegant with green apple skin, mineral and mango citrus rind flavours. It has fine elegance and freshness -- and that makes it totally B.C.

In contrast, the new Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Sun Rock Vineyard 2004 is a bigger, richer version of B.C chardonnay with mango, orange-blossom, smoky vanilla and baked-apple notes. I love the orange, vanilla, creamy spicy lees and the citrus/pineapple undercurrents. This will be a definite hit in restaurants.

Good hunting.

VQA Special Release:
 
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield's Collection Merlot 2002, Okanagan Valley
Price: $28
UPC: 624802011127
Score: 89/100
Remarks: The second release under screw cap; cardamom, smoky, dill and black cherry notes.

Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Family Reserve 2003, Okanagan Valley
Price: $35
UPC: 77856203202
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Peppery, spicy, smoky, vanilla, rootsy, cola, black cherry flavours.

Jackson-Triggs Meritage Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2002, Okanagan Valley
Price: $24.95
UPC: 063657007785
Score: 91/100
Remarks: A big, oaky style but with fine ripeness and intensity.

Sumac Ridge 2004 White Pinnacle, Okanagan Valley
Price: $25
UPC: 778876014895
Score: 90/100
Remarks: Floral, spicy notes of tangerine, pineapple and vanilla.

CedarCreek Chardonnay Platinum Reserve 2003, Okanagan Valley
Price: $28.99
UPC: 778913063046
Score: 90/100
Remarks: Fresh green apple, mineral, spicy lees, vanilla, citrus rind flavours.

Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Sun Rock Vineyard 2004, Okanagan Valley
Price: $22.99
UPC: 063657013267
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Appealing medium-full bodied, expansive, ripe wine.