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The following is our top ten wine picks from B.C.
(and ties) tasted in the last six months.
WHITES
90 CedarCreek Chardonnay Platinum Reserve 2003
BC $28.99 winery, private wine shops
Creamy lees, vanilla, green apple, floral, light citrus aromas with a touch of mango. Dry, fresh, round and elegant with green apple skin, mineral, spicy lees, vanilla, citrus rind flavours. Nice elegance and freshness, should improve over the next 1-3 years.
89/100 Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2004
Open spicy, grapefruit juice, green apple, green melon, clover, floral nose with some smoky, vanilla streaks. Ripe, round, dry and elegant with kiwi, grapefruit rind, green melon, smoky, spicy gooseberry flavours with a touch of lees and vanilla. Well balanced, crisper style with very good fruit characters. Should improve over the next year or two.
Tasted: 2005-11-24 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $26.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $29.99 (750 ml) Winery, Mark Anthony Wine Marts, Private Wine Shops
UPC: 776545995681
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery
89/100 Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay 2004
Oliver,
Green apple, floral, popcorn nose with honey, grapefruit, cinnamon and lees aromas all in the crisp, round, elegant style. Somewhat buttery with popcorn, baked apple, citrus, mineral, floral, green apple skin flavours with a nutty, garlic lees, chalky, vanilla finish. Very solid if a bit oaky now. Should improve over the next year as the oak dissipates.
Tasted: 2006-02-17 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $24.90 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
CSPC: 034579; UPC: 626990024590
Producer: Township 7 Vineyards and Wineries
Distributor: Winery Direct
88/100 Blasted Church Revered Series Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Falls,
Green apple, grassy, citrus, melon nose with some matchstick and buttery lees notes. Dry, crisp, round entry but slightly skinny. Green apple skin, lees, green melon, buttery, citrus peel flavours. New fresh style and perfect for seafood. Good effort.
Tasted: 2006-02-07 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.99 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops
CSPC: 734822; UPC: 626990014195
Producer: Blasted Church Vineyards
Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.
88/100 CedarCreek Chardonnay Estate Select 2004
Winemaker Tom Di Bello has released an attractive, buttery melon and honeysuckle white with fine mid-palate richness and creamy butterscotch notes in the finish. There's also enough acidity, freshness and complexity to hold your interest. A solid value B.C. chardonnay.
Tasted: 2005-12-13 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $19.99 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 607200; UPC: 778913051043
Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery
Distributor:
88/100 Fork in the Road Oliver Block 212 White 2003
A new concept wine from Mission Hill. Look for earthy, mineral, lemon butter, melon aromas with a grassy note. Crisp, round, elegant palate with buttery, lemon meringue, green apple, floral, mineral flavours. A touch oily with crisp acidity and a chalky finish. Should have broad appeal. The blend is 66 per cent chardonnay mixed with 22 sémillon, 11 pinot gris and 5 viognier. To be released in April from the winery and Mark Anthony wine shops and possible select private wine shops.
Tasted: 2006-02-09 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery direct, Mark Anthony stores and private wine shops
UPC: 776545997050
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery
Green apple skin, toasty lees, light garlic, creamy, floral, vanilla aromas. Rich, round, dry palate with a dry mineral quality. Lime rind, vanilla, green apple, spicy lees, grapefruit flavours with a nutty, buttery vanilla citrus finish. A bit tight and warm, needs about 6 months or so in bottle to smooth out. Good effort.
Tasted: 2005-11-19 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $34.90 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops
UPC: 626990038122
Producer: Golden Mile Cellars
Distributor: Christopher Stewart; Winery Direct
88/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2004
Bright, fresh green apple, lime rind, spicy, floral, creamy lees aromas. Fresh, round, crisp, baked green apple, citrus rind, mineral, creamy lees with a touch of guava. Nice cooler fruit and clean with verve. Good for food or sipping. excellent effort.
Tasted: 2005-11-19 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $18.99 (750 ml) specialty
CSPC: 632109; UPC: 620654632107
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc.
Distributor: Vincor International
88/100 Jackson-Triggs Viognier Proprietors' Reserve 2004
Floral, spicy, ginger, creamy citrus, apple skin and mineral aromas. Soft, round, full and ripe with toasty, spicy, citrus, honey, apricot flavours and a bit of bitter ginger zing on the finish. Well balanced overall and should be a perfect fit with spicy Thai dishes.
Tasted: 2005-11-15 by AG
Prices: BC $14.99 (750 ml) specialty
CSPC: 593129; UPC: 063657005705
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
Distributor: Vincor International
88/100 Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Sun Rock Vineyard 2004
Spicy lees, mango, orange blossom, smoky vanilla aromas with a baked apple note. Ripe, round, fresh and tasty with orange, vanilla, creamy spicy lees, citrus and pineapple flavours with a smoky, resiny vanilla note. A bit warm but has very good fruit.
Tasted: 2005-11-01 by AG
Prices: BC $22.99 (750 ml) VQA stores / private wine shops
CSPC: 433375; UPC: 063657013267
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
Distributor: Vincor International
88/100 Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio 2004
Naramata Bench,
Citrus rind, spicy lees, nutty, vanilla, buttery, waxy aromas mark the somewhat Burgundian nose streaked with garlic and green apple skin. This is an elegant, fresh style with some oily textures and spicy lees, vanilla, creamy, baked pear, mineral, grapefruit rind flavours. The finish mixes butter and bitter apple skin. Well balanced overall. A nice touch of pinot gris is added for zip. 270 cases made.
Tasted: 2005-11-19 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) Winery
CSPC: 372615; UPC: 850451001039
Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards
Distributor: Winery Direct
88/100 Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2004
Osoyoos,
Citrus peel, buttery, green apple, lime, floral aromas with a touch of lees and vanilla. Round, dry, slightly oily texture but tight with green apple skin, lime, buttery, mineral, floral flavours. Finish is crisp with a grapefruit rind note. More Chablis like than
Tasted: 2006-02-07 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $26.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $29.99 (750 ml) Winery, Mark Anthony Wine Marts, Private Wine Shops; ON $28.00 (750 ml)
UPC: 776545995698
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery
88/100 Sumac Ridge Pinnacle White 2004
Toasty, spicy, lychee, butter, floral, mineral, nutty, honey aromas. Round, soft, full palate with some oiliness. Vanilla, honey, lemon rind, mineral, floral, spicy, nutty lees flavours with buttery, grassy, gooseberry and grapefruit on the finish. Balanced even if a bit busy with all those varieties floating about. Asian food is natural here.
Tasted: 2005-12-05 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) Winery Only
UPC: 778876014895
Producer: Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
Distributor: Vincor International
RED
90/100 CedarCreek Merlot Platinum Reserve 2003
Floral, black cherry, spicy, vanilla, smoky bacon, black olive, chocolate and tobacco aromas with a gamey, saddle leather streak. Dry, round, slightly astringent palate. Lots of spicy, coffee, black cherry, bacon, tobacco and green olive flavours with a bit of green bean and chocolate on the finish. Good length but some tannins and acidity need to meld. Needs 2-3 years.
Tasted: 2006-01-11 by JC
Prices: BC $39.99 (750 ml) VQA Wine Stores
CSPC: 573683; UPC: 778913061530
Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery
Distributor:
89/100 CedarCreek Cabernet Franc Estate Select 2003
Love the smoky, cigar, black cherry, resiny nose with hints of licorice, sage vanilla and cranberry. Tight, full, rich, warm palate with a touch of acidity and defined tannins. More expressive cedar, cranberry, smoky, vanilla pudding, peppery, flavours with some saddle leather and tobacco on the finish. Full and young, this has potential to become affine red wine. Excellent beginning.
Tasted: 2006-01-11 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $24.99 (750 ml) VQA stores / private wine shops
UPC: 778913053580
Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery
Distributor:
89 Jackson-Triggs Merlot Sun Rock Vineyard 2003
BC $29.99 winery, VQA stores and private wine shops
Big lifted, mocha, vanilla coffee, spicy, savoury, sage, oregano aromas with some black cherry. Soft, round, ripe, fat, warm style with some tannins. Lots of vanilla, smoky coffee, peppery, black cherry, plum flavours with a savoury pudding finish. Warm, youthful tannin finish. Needs 2-4 years to soften.
89 Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2003
BC $34.99 winery, Mark Anthony Wine Marts, private wine shops, AB $31.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $34.99, ON $34.00
Tight coffee, pepper, spicy nose with floral, black cherry, licorice root notes and smoky, vanilla-pudding tones. The entry is soft and rich, the best yet for a young Mission Hill syrah with grainy tannins in the back end. Fine minty, peppery, coffee, smoky vanilla, black cherry and tobacco flavours. Needs a few years to fully integrate and round out but well made cool climate syrah. Very promising, be patient. Good value.
89 Sumac Ridge Merlot Black Sage Vineyard 2002
BC $18.99 specialty, AB $15.99
Lots of spicy, peppery, savoury, vanilla, coffee, black cherry jam nose with some tobacco and chocolate. Rich, round, fat, supple entry with ripe tannins. Big smoky, espresso, vanilla, peppery, olive, black cherry, minty, plum flavours. A bit alcoholic but has lots of fruit intensity. Needs 2-4 years. Generous well made northwest merlot.
89/100 Township 7 Syrah 2003
Oliver,
Tobacco leaf, menthol, pruny, cherry, shoe leather, coffee and barnyard aromas with a meaty streak. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry but good elegance. Chocolate, coffee, menthol, cool leafy, olive, tobacco flavours with some cherry mint on the finish. A touch oaky but has good expression and balance.
Tasted: 2006-02-15 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $24.90 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
CSPC: 037523; UPC: 626990024552
Producer: Township 7 Vineyards and Wineries
Distributor: Winery Direct
88/100 CedarCreek Meritage Estate Select 2003
Big spicy, vanilla, black cherry jam, cassis, olive, tobacco and cedar aromas with a hint of saddle leather. Dry, round, full palate with some tannins. Chocolate, smoky, licorice, rootsy, vanilla, spicy flavours with some black olive and tobacco leaf. A bit bitter and green on the finish and will benefit from a year or two in bottle. Serve now with a medium rare steak.
Tasted: 2006-01-11 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $28.99 (750 ml) VQA stores / private wine shops
CSPC: 636407; UPC: 778913050060
Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery
Distributor:
88/100 CedarCreek Syrah Estate Select 2003
Open peppery, spicy, floral, chocolate, sausage meat and tobacco aromas with some black cherry and rootsy tobacco notes. Soft, round, supple and warm with a touch of acidity on the end. Suave chocolate, spicy vanilla, plum pudding, gamey, sausage flavours with some licorice root and cardamom on the finish. A forward ready-to-drink style for near term consumption. Excellent first effort.
Tasted: 2006-01-11 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $27.99 (750 ml) VQA stores / private wine shops
CSPC: 417949; UPC: 778913053597
Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery
Distributor:
88/100
Peppery, spicy, sweaty saddle, smoky, cigar butt, cranberry, buttery vanilla, blackberry aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic entry with some dryness at the end. Smoky, peppery, leafy, cigar, cranberry, cherry, vanilla, resiny flavours. Very warm (alcoholic) with some lean tannins, should improve over the next 2-3 years.
Tasted: 2005-11-23 by AG
Prices: BC $24.90 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops
CSPC: 731943; UPC: 850104000334
Producer:
Distributor: Red Dog Sales and Marketing Wine & Spirits
88/100 Herder Josephine 2004
Keremeos,
Smoky, toasted oak and vanilla with green olive, pepper, tobacco leaf and minty notes streaked with black cherry and a touch of rubber. Very warm entry with ripe, supple tannins. Vanilla, smoky resin, peppery, black cherry, cola, pudding flavours with some green tobacco and olive on the finish. A bit too hot but it's youthful with seductive supple textures. Drink or hold three to five years. Needs 1-3 years. The blend is 60/33/7 merlot / cabernet sauvignon / cabernet franc.
Tasted: 2005-11-23 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $28.90 (750 ml) speculative listing - Landmark Selections
CSPC: 227751
Producer: Herder Winery & Vineyards
Distributor: Landmark Selections
88/100 Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Sun Rock Vineyard 2003
Enticing smoky leather, tobacco leaf nose with vanilla, chocolate pudding, savoury, garrigue and spicy vanilla aromas. Rich, ripe, round but warm and tannic too. Big chocolate, vanilla, cola flavours streaked with coffee, clove and plum jam with a rootsy, tobacco, leathery finish. Lots of tannins on the finish and quite warm, definitely closing down. Will need two or three years to develop in bottle.
Tasted: 2005-12-10 by AG
Prices: BC $29.99 (750 ml) VQA stores / private wine shops
UPC: 063657013496
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
Distributor: Vincor International
88/100 Jackson-Triggs Meritage Blanc Proprietors' Grand Reserve 2004
Grapefruit, grassy, nutty, leesy, vanilla aromas with some floral, cinnamon and canned asparagus notes underneath. Round, elegant, ripe palate with creamy, vanilla, canned grapefruit, kiwi, melon, fig, mineral flavours. A touch soft with some sweetness at the end but good balance. Attractive consumer style.
Tasted: 2005-12-05 by AG
Prices: BC $19.99 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops
CSPC: 206516; UPC: 063657010280
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
Distributor: Vincor International
88/100 Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2003
True to the Mission Hill style, the S.L.C. merlot opens with tight peppery, spicy, cool cherry aromas laced with mint, coffee, garrigue, vanilla and licorice notes. The palate is dry but rich with plenty of youthful grainy tannins. Black olive, black cherry, smoky vanilla, resiny, herbal, oregano flavours. Good intensity but a touch green and tannic. Similar to a semi-modern St. Emilion. Needs 2-5 years to put on some weight and loosen up. It will undoubtedly improve with time in bottle so do not rush it. Release date early March.
Tasted: 2006-02-07 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $34.99 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops march '06
CSPC: 202283; UPC: 776545995667
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery
88/100 Quails' Gate O.V.F. Reserve Old Vines Foch 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Big vanilla, spicy, smoky oak, cassis, gamey, bacon aromas. Soft, round, supple entry with ripe tannins. Plenty of chocolate coffee, vanilla, smoky oak, floral, black cherry and green peppercorn flavours. A bit lean on the finish but very well made with lots of oak.
Tasted: 2005-09-17 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $35.00 (750 ml) Winery
CSPC: 639666; UPC: 778856203219
Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery
Distributor: Medallion Wine Marketing
