May 17, 2010 - B.C.'s Best From A to Z

87 Arrowleaf First Crush Rosé 2009 Pinot Noir - Zweigelt - Merlot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $14.00 vqa, private wine stores, winery direct
This wine is tracking down the right path under screwcap with an orange tinge to its colour and a fresh minerality on the nose. The blend is pinot noir, zweigelt and merlot the style is just off-dry with a fairly flat mid-palate and finish. It could use a bit of zip in extra added acidity otherwise served chilled it will make friends on the patio. (AG-ST)

87 Averill Creek Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2009
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 private wine stores, winery direct
Lemon, green apple skin, floral, nectarine skin aromas. Dry, light, elegant, fresh palate with lemon oil, lime, green apple, peach pit, floral, lees flavours. Brisk, lemon meringue finish. Try this with roasted chicken. (AG-ST)

87 Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2009 Gewurztraminer - Chard - P.Gris - Optima - Pinot B - Ehrenfel
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing, AB $26.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Much like last year this spicy, floral, fruit salad is swimming in rose petals, citrus and passion fruit aromas and flavours. The finish is soft and round with more citrus rind and peachy/lychee flavours. Try this one on the patio before dinner or with your favourite curry dish. Would be an excellent turkey wine too. (AG-ST)

88 Blasted Church OMG 2008 Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Pinot Meunier
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
The first sparkling wine released by Blasted Church is the '08 OMG. The cuvée is a 50/25/25 mix of all estate grown chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc. Picked early for its aromas and freshness the method is all Champenois. The nose is impressively clean and bright with green apple aromas hints of toasted hazelnuts. The entry is fresh, the mousse is creamy and the acidity supercharged. It finishes crisp if just a wisp dry. Try this with oysters or other shellfish and. A great beginning for this label. Limited amounts made (77 cases) sold winery direct but look for in in better local restaurants. (AG-ST)

88 Blue Mountain Brut N/V Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot Gris
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 private wine stores, winery direct, AB $25.00 private wine stores
This is pure stripped down British Columbia sparkling wine born for oysters. Made a la Champenoise in technique and style the flavour is citrus from back to front with a splash of green apple skin and minerality. Lip smacking dry it needs food to really shine at a party. Smoked salmon would be a great choice. (AG)

89 Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $25.00 fine wine shops, ON $35.00 consignment - Lifford
Five different clones make up the blend that is 50 per cent barrel fermented in one to four year old oak while the remainder is tank fermented to keep the fruit alive. Expect a crisp mineral citrus flavoured entry with bits of toasted oak and lees. The style is elegant and reserved - a mini Chablis perhaps, with a bright lemon toasted fruit finish. Should easily age through 2013 and beyond. Well done. (AG-ST)

87 Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $21.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $25.00 fine wine boutiques
Floral, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, meaty, peppery, black cherry, mocha aromas. Fresh, dry, slightly chunky palate with fresh acidity and some light astringency. Black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, rooty, tobacco, peppery, cedar flavours. The finish needs some taming with food. Duck confit would be a good match. (AG-ST)

89 Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, private wine shops
At 13 percent alcohol this pinot blanc made from 24 year old fruit is well worth investigating. The vintage was relatively cool but maturity was easily reached by September 25. Two French clones are used and 55% fermented and aged in stainless steel; 45% is fermented and aged for 6 months in 4 year old French oak barrels. 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 Rosé Brut 2006 Pinot Noir - Chardonnay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, AB $35.00 fine wine boutiques
The Blue Mountain Rosé Brut is a kinder gentler bubble than the blanc brut, actually rounder and softer would be the description. The mousse is tight and round but the palate is richer with bits of strawberry and red fruit notes mixed with citrus and lees. There just enough bottle age here to lend another layer of complexity. Not as dry as the other brut whites but tasty and firm. Serve with food. The mix is 65 pinot noir and 35 per cent chardonnay. (AG-ST)

88 Burrowing Owl Athene 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Savoury, meaty, liquorice, coffee, vanilla nose flecked with saddle leather, barnyard, tea, dill and peppery, black olive, resin aromas. The style is dry and slightly lean with a somewhat tart entry. The palate is typical of what we see form Black sage with its smoky, vanilla, savoury, espresso, black olive dominating the cassis and cherry notes with more meaty, peppery, liquorice root and dried herbs flavour. It lacks a bit of fruit, concentration and balance for the price but it should improve in the bottle for another two or three years. (AG-ST)

87 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 winery direct, AB $35.00 fine wine shops
Smoky, vanilla, coffee, cranberry, black cherry nose with bits of tobacco leaf, black olive, savoury, spicy aromas and more barnyard and leather. The entry is dry and elegant with a somewhat tart palate and light, dry tannins. Cedar, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, herbal, savoury, cranberry, sour cherry, dark chocolate, resin, earthy flavours with a bit of leather and Oxo on the finish. Good effort but will require another two to three years in bottle to really express itself. (AG-ST)

88 Burrowing Owl Syrah 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $38.00 winery direct, AB $41.00 fine wine shops
Savoury, sausage, smoky, dried herb, liquorice, vanilla, blackberry, tobacco, poultry spice, barnyard aromas. Fresh, dry, somewhat tart palate with light tannins. Vanilla, coffee, smoky, poultry spice, savoury, rooty, cherry, black tea, tobacco leaf flavours. Solid with some heat in the back end. (AG-ST)

87 Camelot Vineyards Merlot 2008
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
Our first crack at this Kelowna based merlot and I have to say it is intriguing. The nose is slightly muted but with bits of black cherry, liquorice and dried herbs - can you say northwest merlot. The palate is fresh and relatively smooth if a bit dry with more vanilla, plummy, graphite, black fruit flavours. Think barbecued meats, burgers and grilled lamb. A solid start. Pricey (AG-ST)

87 Cassini Cellars French Coture Viognier 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Green apple skin, lees, spicy, ginger, honey, floral aromas. Round, soft, elegant, slightly lean entry with light honey, nutty lees, spicy, ginger, earthy, sausage, nectarine skin flavours. Finish is a bit warm with a slight bitterness. (AG-ST)

87 Cassini Cellars Maximus Collector's Series 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Malbec
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Open menthol, peppery, herbal nose with meaty, smoky, cassis, cedar aromas. The palate is dry and warm with slightly dry/ tannic notes. Look for smoky oak, coffee, cassis, black pepper, cedar, resin, vanilla and tobacco leaf flavours. Good concentration but finish is very youthful and rustic with tannins to shed. Needs 2-3 years before it reaches its peak. (AG-ST)

87 Cassini Cellars Nobilus Merlot Collector's Series 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $39.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Spicy, tobacco, earthy, cedar bark, olive, smoky, resin, compost aromas. Soft, round, slightly tannic and sweet entry with chocolate, cherry, smoky, resin, tobacco, espresso, cedar, vanilla flavours. Short, tart, oaky, chocolate cherry finish. Pricey for what you get. Drink now-2 years. (AG-ST)

87 Cassini Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Rooty, cooked rhubarb, strawberry jam warm pinot site flavours with tobacco leaf, herbal, smoky aromas. Round, warm, fresh, supple and soft palate with very light tannins. Smoky, herbal, tobacco leaf, peppery, soupy plum, cooked rhubarb, vanilla flavours with a bit of coffee and cedar. Simple, forward, warm style that is ready to drink. (AG-ST)

88 Cassini Cellars Syrah Collector's Series 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Meaty, spicy, savoury, peppery, black berry, liquorice, resin, slightly smoky sage and coffee aromas. Round, dry, slightly tart palate with light, tight tannins. Coffee, peppery, meaty, smoky, vanilla, cedar, rooty, meaty, blackberry, resin, poultry spice flavours. Finish is quite oaky and tight now, needs a few years yet to emerge from its current closed in phase. (AG-ST)

87 CedarCreek Chardonnay 2008
British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing
A fine follow up to last year the latest estate chardonnay comes off nine different vineyards and is aged and fermented in both stainless steel and French oak. Look for a fresh style with ripe pear, red apple and creamy, citrus, mineral notes. Well made and ready for fresh oysters or roasted chicken. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Winemaker Darryl Brooker has done a masterful job with his first ehrenfelser seemingly upping the acid to even better balance the sweet fruit of this showy white wine. The nose is a delightful mix of floral tones with tangerines, ripe apple and pink grapefruit aromas. The attack is fresh and crisp with a taut mixture of fresh fruit flavours including more juicy tangerine, melon, peach and gooseberry. A classic patio white this will also make any spicy Indian or Thai dishes better. (AG-ST)

87 CedarCreek Estate Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing
This wine has improved in bottle since last April as we suspected it might. A little less coffee and chocolate from the oak has revealed more black cherry, tobacco, sausage meat and black olive aromas. The entry is still linear but with a bit more fruit and dry earthy, cedar, tobacco, sour cherry, coffee and pepper flavours. The finish is dry but softening up, especially with food. It was perfect with steak. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Estate Syrah 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing
Finally a softer, slightly riper style. There is still plenty of cool peppery, floral, meaty aromas but with a savoury cherry/chocolate undercurrent. The entry is round and supple with spicy red fruits and chocolate pudding flavours spiced with floral, liquorice root and cardamom. A much easier wine to sip but best with grilled lamb chops. (AG-ST)

87 CedarCreek Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct, BC Liquor stores, VQA and private wine shops
Smoky, celery salt, spicy, tobacco leaf, peppery, vanilla, coffee, black cherry aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat lean palate but elegant with smoky vanilla, coffee bean, peppery, rooty, dill, rhubarb, cherry cough syrup flavours. A bit lean and tart on the finish with lots of oak showing. Very similar to the last vintage. (AG-ST)

89 CedarCreek Platinum Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Another fine effort with that inviting creamy lees and nutty citrus nose flecked with butter, peach and orange zest. The mid-palate is rich and dry with fine elegance and weight with more spicy, vanilla, baked apple, nutty, citrus, melon flavours. Cool style chardonnay that works so well with food. Sleek and sophisticated. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Platinum Malbec 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 winery direct
Smoky, coffee, peppery, tobacco leaf, black olive, savoury herb, vanilla, riparian aromas. Dry, tart but elegant palate with light tannins and medium light extract. Coffee, peppery, vanilla, tobacco leaf, cherry, sour plum, green tea, olive and clove flavours. Solid effort for first time. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Spicy, chocolate, peppery, cedar, black cherry, plum, tobacco leaf, leather and resin aromas. Rich, full, dry, fresh palate with some grainy tannin. Cassis, peppery, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf, black tea, smoky resin, herbal flavours. Has potential with fruit and intensity but the finish is very tart and warm. Needs a few years. (AG-ST)

90 CedarCreek Platinum Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 specialty listing, winery direct
The CC Platinum merlot is a blend of clones 181 and 346 from Desert Ridge, CedarCreek, Greata Ranch, Mauz and Van Westen Vineyards. The oak is French, the nose a rich mix of black cherries and vanilla with a dash of roasted coffee. The palate is packed full of plummy, spicy, black raspberry fruit with bits of mocha vanilla and a fresh finish. A good example of why British Columbia can make better merlot than most other regions in the world. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Meaty, spicy, vanilla, coffee, black cherry, worsteshire nose with whiffs of barnyard and tobacco aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with light tannins. Sour cherry, coffee, vanilla, rhubarb, dried herb and more worsteshire flavours. A bit tart and young but solid pinot effort. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Under new winemaker Darryl Brooker has performed a small but significant upgrade on the riesling. Citrus is the theme on the nose and palate with a slightly more taut mid-palate and a touch less obvious alcohol. The style is fresh with a little less upfront sweetness and more mid-palate citrus and limey notes with a touch of sweetness in the finish. Juicy fun to sip and seemingly available for an endless amount of West Coast dishes. Great value in a simple straightforward affordable riesling. (AG-ST)

89 Church & State Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct or direct delivery via online ordering
The '08 chardonnay is a mix of Gravelbourg and Dekleva Family Vineyard blending fruit from two south Okanagan benches: Black Sage and Golden Mile. This is an impressive wine chardonnay with winemaker Bill Dyer's deft touch all over it. Love the bright, tropical fruit aromas, creamy textures and toasted vanilla hazelnut finish. A great wine with halibut. (AG-ST)

88 Clos du Soleil Capella 2007
British Columbia, Canada
BC $27.00 winery direct, AB $30.00 private wine stores
Gooseberry, nettle, lemon, floral, grassy, passion leaf, matchstick, lees aromas. Round, warm, slightly flat entry with lemon, gooseberry, marzipan, passion fruit, grapefruit rind, mineral flavours. Solid, best with seafood.The blend is 95/5 sauvignon blanc/semillon. (AG-ST)

87 Clos du Soleil Red 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $45.00 winery direct, AB $42.00 fine wine shops
Meaty, leather, cassis, tobacco leaf, black olive, coffee, cedar, vanilla aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins and a touch of sweetness. Green olive, smoky, cassis, herbal, coffee, resin, cherry, black tea flavours. Simple, elegant style with a touch of savoury Northwest. (AG-ST)

88 Clos du Soleil Signature 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $39.00 winery direct
Spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, green bean, green olive, minty, leather, meaty, barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Smoky, herbal, meaty, peppery, black olive, tobacco leaf, light cassis, coffee, barnyard, vanilla and leather flavours. Could use another year or so in bottle to improve and lose some of those green notes. (AG-ST)

89 Fairview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Premier Series 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $34.90 speculative listing - Red Dog
Classic cabernet structure and styling here with a twist of eccentricity, courtesy of winemaker owner Bill Eggert. This is likely the ripest cabernet yet made by Eggert which makes it fun to drink. Some of this fruit is blended into 'The Bear,' the winery's Meritage blend but what's left is worth checking out in this 2008 edition. Look for a spicy, black cherry, smoky nose with fresh acidity and cleanness. Love the spice and weight on the palate and the long finish of cassis jam, vanilla and flecks of coffee. Drink now with beef or hold three to five years. (AG)

89 Fairview Cellars Two Hoots 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 speculative listing - Red Dog
Named for two owls who patrol the vineyard it also aptly fits the owner Bill Eggert' s opinion on wine media; as mostly he doesn't give two hoots what we think; a likely healthy attitude. The cabernet merlot blend will surprise with its sweet smoky fruity nose flecked with dried herbs. The palate is a carbon copy of the nose with a savoury fruity undercurrent with slightly rustic tannins that need another year or two bottle age to completely fade. Love the weight, structure, style and ripeness. Many other Okanagan cabernet merlot blends could learn from this one. (AG)

87 Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Red Willow Shiraz 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing, AB $16.00 private wine stores
Similar to the '06 in that dry spicy earthy style with a slightly cool menthol peppery nose. The attack is soft; the tannins well managed good acidity. More cedar tobacco, pepper and meaty savoury flavours dominate the palate. A fair amount of style in a firm warm, dry, spicy syrah. Barbecued ribs with sweet sauce would be perfect. (AG-ST)

89 Gehringer Brothers Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Signature Series 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 (375 ml) specialty listing
Bright raspberry ruby colour. Strawberry jam, cedar, tobacco, earthy, minty, dried cranberry aromas with a bit of watermelon. Round, full, moderately sweet style with softer acidity. Strawberry jam, cedar, watermelon, tobacco leaf, herbal, spicy, cranberry flavours. A simple, forward style with some finesse and fruit. (AG)

87 Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Classic 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $14.00 specialty listing
Gehringer Brothers has a new package that believe it or not is mostly under screwcap. That means the cleanest freshest winemaking in the valley just got an upgrade. The Ehrenfelser Classic is a testament to the historical Becker project cross that delivers fresh, creamy orange creamsicle aromas and flavours. The finish is off dry and perfectly balanced by fine acidity and bright minerality. Crazy value in a delicious summer sipper. (AG-ST)

89 Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Ice Wine Minus 9 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 (375 ml) specialty listing
Nectarine, honey, orange, floral, green apple aromas but somewhat volatile on the nose. Fresh, juicy, elegant, intense palate with orange, honey, lime, apricot, nectarine, baked apple flavours with some volatile notes. Good acidity, balance and intensity but somewhat marred by the volatility. (AG)

91 Gehringer Brothers Riesling Ice Wine Signature Series 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 vqa and private wine shops
Floral, lime, honey, green apple, butter, apricot aromas with a touch of volatility. Round, fresh, juicy, crisp palate with balanced acidity and good finesse. Green apple, honey, nectarine, butter, mineral flavours. Good precise, fresh style to age with good concentration but a touch of volatility. (AG)

88 Gehringer Brothers Riesling Late Harvest 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 (375 ml) specialty listing
Open diesel/petrol nose with green apple skin, light floral, slate and warm citrus aromas. Fresh, delicate, round palate with light sweetness and solid acidity balance. Baked green apple, pear, citrus, petrol, slightly smoky, plasticene flavours. Solid, elegant style that is ready to drink. Uses a Diam cork. Good value. (AG)

88 Gray Monk Gewürztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
The fruit comes off a mix of vineyards in Kelowna and Kaleden. Expect a full, rich, nose of litchi fruit, peaches and spice. The flavours are similar with ginger, melon, tropical notes and a touch of sausage meat. Good ripeness here and less rind-y characters this year makes for a better wine. Try this with patés and assorted cold slice meats and cheeses. (AG-ST)

87 Herder Syrah 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Smoky, roasted bell pepper, vanilla, rooty nosed with savoury, herbal, meaty, barnyard aromas. Round, supple, somewhat tart and hollow mid-palate. Smoky, floral, black cherry, peppery, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, roasted herbs, bell pepper, tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is a bit warm, oaky and green but it should improve with 1-2 years more bottle age. Serve now with grilled meats. (AG-ST)

89 Herder Three Sisters 2008 Viognier - Pinot Gris - Chardonnay - Pinot Blanc
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
As previously discovered the nose is an attractive floral, spicy, apple skin mix with bits of peach pit, light honey, orange aromas. Round, fresh, slightly sweet palate but balanced with orange, spicy, lychee, honey, baked apple, lees and lime rind flavours. Good solid fruit and fun to drink. (AG-ST)

87 Hester Creek Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 specialty listing
A new multimillion dollar production facility ensures the fruit captured in the vineyard is now making it to the bottle. We love the fresh aromas of apple fruit kissed in butter. The plate has a creamy lees character with more red apple and nectarine skin fruit all with bright acidity. Perfect with sole. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing
Hester Creek is really starting to strut its stuff with this pinot grigio. The nose is an enticing mix of pear/honey and apple with a crisp fresh underlying acidity. The flavours are very much the same with more citrus and mouth-watering red apple notes. We can't wait to taste the next version made at the new winery. Still finished under cork it remains the Achilles heel of what is a well-made white. Good value. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Trebbiano 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The best Trebbiano yet from Hester Creek winemaker Robert Summer with some help from the new winery and the much improved handling of the fruit. Fresh, watery, melon fruit with bits of peach pear and a dash of honeysuckle. The finish is medium-long and clean with a floral spicy undertone. Well done. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Trebbiano 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Made from 30-year old vines this unique Okanagan varietal is thriving under winemaker Rob Summers and the new Hester Creek winery facilities. The wine remains bright and fresh on entry with tropical passion fruit notes mix with apple, citrus and peach flecks. Great on the patio but even better with curries and pizzas. (AG-ST)

87 Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct
Lemon, butter, honey, nutty lees, spicy, waxy, vanilla aromas with a touch of roasted garlic and baked apple. Round, elegant, soft palate with a warm edge. Honey, garlic, nutty lees, spicy, baked apple, smoky, diacetyl flavours with a salty, nutty, slightly sweet butter and flat finish. Very solid effort but if we are picky it is still sporting a bit too much barrel work (lees) and not quite enough acidity to lift the flat finish. Try it with roast chicken. (AG-ST)

89 Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +14/10 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Typical Northwest peppery, tobacco leaf, savoury, dried herb nose with black olive, smoky, coffee, vanilla and light barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with some grippy tannin. Vanilla pudding, coffee, peppery, earthy, cedar, tobacco flavours dominate the youthful palate before you get to the black cherry, cranberry, savoury, green tea flavours. Love the youthful, fresh finish but with a big dose of oak to shed. Needs 2-4 years more in bottle. Another good effort and getting closer to the finish line. (AG-ST)

87 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
Buttery, honey, nutty lees, spicy, lemon, lime, sappy aromas. Dry, elegant, tight palate with light extract. Lime rind, lemon, spicy, nutty lees, clove, honey, green apple skin flavours. Chablis like in its acidity structure and lean quality but quite leesy. It's an exciting style to be pursuing but again a touch more fruit would be a fine addition. (AG-ST)

89 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Micro Cuvée Old Main Road Vineyard 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $65.00
Light butterscotch, lemon oil, roasted garlic, nutty lees, vanilla nose with spicy, green apple skin tons throughout. The entry is dry and tight, the palate fresh with a taut, lean structure. Nutty, garlic, toasty lees, honey, vanilla, bitter lemon, lime rind, green apple skin flavours. Finish is tart with highly buttered popcorn and bitter rind notes. Austere but promising style. Could we have a touch more fruit? (AG-ST)

88 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Kenny McLean Old Main Road Vineyard 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct
The Meyer style is super fresh with some well worked lees. Vanilla, clove, spice, butter and green apple skin all permeate its light floral aromas. The palate on entry is juicy and elegant with some drying notes in the back end. Lemon, nutty lees, baked apple, clove, spicy, pear skin flavours dominate throughout. Brisk, somewhat buttery, skinny lemon finish. A solid effort but it must be served with food. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Chardonnay Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, AB $19.00 private wine stores, MB $20.00, ON $20.00, QC $20.00, SK $20.00
Bright floral, honey, citrus, apricot skin nose flecked with butter, light lees and baked apple aromas. The palate is fresh, juicy and round with grapefruit, honey, vanilla, baked green apple, light lees and nectarine flavours. Crisp and clean the finish is elegant good fruit and vibrancy. The best yet in this series and a baby clone of the Perpetua at a great price. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 specialty listing, AB $16.00 private wine shops
Mission Hill has nailed this wine and style. Like last year the nose is super fresh with a dash of flinty lees notes and subtle mix of citrus, honey and pear fruit flavours that follow through to the finish. A great summer wine for seafood, or sushi or simply to cool you down when the temperature soars. Good value. (AG)

87 Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shop, MB $17.00, NB $19.00, NF $20.00, ON $16.45, SK $18.00
Tobacco, savoury, peppery, cherry, dried herb, worsteshire, celery root aromas. Round, full, fresh, slightly warm palate with dried spice, cherry, prune, tobacco, cedar, rooty flavours. Well balanced, fresh pinot at an affordable price. A good place to start in British Columbia. (AG)

87 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Ice Wine 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $60.00 (375 ml) winery direct and private wine shops, AB $45.00 (375 ml) fine wine shops, QC $58.00 (375 ml), SK $60.00 (375 ml)
Beach ball, bruised green apple, nectarine, mineral, light honey, apricot skin aromas with a bit of volatility. Fresh, rich, elegant, juicy palate with good sweetness. Green apple, nectarine, butter, floral, tobacco, lime flavours with a light bruised apple, beach ball, volatile finish. Good fruit and acidity but not quite up to the normal. (AG-ST)

90 Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $22.00 fine wine boutiques, NB $30.00, ON $27.00 private import - Mark Anthony Brands
Another fine effort with floral, passion fruit, grapefruit, honey, baked pear, light lees and vanilla aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with good acidity balance. Grapefruit, passion fruit, guava, lemon grass, lees, vanilla and honey flavours. Good finesse and intensity. Ready to drink but may improve over the next 1-2 years. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, AB $19.00 fine wine shops, MB $19.00, NS $21.00, ON $20.00, SK $20.00
Minty, lemon, nettle, grassy, grapefruit, light lees, mineral and green apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly sweet entry with lemon, grapefruit, nettle, apple juice, passion fruit flavours. Very crisp, juicy finish. Good solid effort. (AG)

87 Mission Hill Shiraz Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 specialty listing, AB $22.00 private wine stores, NB $24.25, ON $22.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands, QC $24.70, SK $24.00
Five spice, peppery, smoky, tobacco, meaty, coffee, barnyard, tea leaf aromas with a bit cherry. Fresh, round, slightly tannic palate. Coffee, peppery, meaty, spicy, savoury, leather, tobacco leaf, plum, vanilla, rooty flavours. Solid if a bit dry and lean on the finish with green tannins. Best with grilled meat or keep a year or so. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill Viognier Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 restaurants only
Spicy, ginger.honey, grapefruit rind, light lees, floral, melon aromas. Rich, round, fresh, slightly fat palate with honey, grapefruit, ginger, orange, waxy, creamsicle flavours. Good texture and intensity with a touch of warmth and tropical fruit on the finish. Another solid effort. Fine value. (ST)

88 Quails' Gate Rosé 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $15.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Another, tight fruity mineral well-constructed rosé with a delicious food upside. The nose is slightly sweaty grapefruit and rhubarb with bits of tangerine and citrus. Über fresh and dry and will be perfect with so many summer menu items. Crab would be ideal. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shops, MB $17.00
Floral, grassy, green apple, peach pit, matchstick aromas. Dry, tart, elegant palate with lemon, granny smith, citrus flavours. Simple, elegant style with medium intensity. A pretty summer sipper. (AG-ST)

87 Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Big meaty, waxy, espresso, charred, resin, peppery, tobacco, roasted tomato, roasted pepper, barnyard, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple but slightly skinny extract. Big smoky, oaky, charred, roasted tomato, herbal, vanilla, bourbon flavours. Huge oaky, charred finish with a big herbal note. Unique. (AG-ST)

87 Red Rooster Riesling 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $17.00
Red Rooster makes a warmer, sweeter style riesling with floral undertones. The entry is sweet and fresh with pronounced orange and melon flavours with a touch of spice and even heat in the finish. Consumers will like this as will Indian food. (AG-ST)

89 Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, BC Liquor stores, VQA and private wine shops, AB $19.99 private wine shops, MB $17.00, SK $18.00
Appealing aroma of lees with light garlic, creamy, baked green apple, pear, and honey, citrus and peach notes. Ripe, round, off dry, fresh palate with more honey, smoky, spicy, garlic, baked pear, leesy, orange and light vanilla flavours. Solid fruit expression with good lees and a bit of sweetness on the finish. Good value here in a modern chardonnay style. (AG)

87 Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 speculative listing - Liquid Art
Slate, light petrol, light lees, granny smith, peach skin aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, somewhat sweet palate with honey, light petrol, waxy, floral, green apple, and citrus rind flavours. Solid if a bit sweet on the finish. (AG-ST)

88 Sperling Vineyards Sper...itz 2009 Pinot Blanc - Bacchus - Riesling
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $13.00 (375 ml) speculative listing - Liquid Art
Light spritz on pouring. Floral, green apple, lime, matchstick burn, honey, pear aromas. Elegant, fresh, light palate with a lively spritz. Clean green apple, floral, grapefruit, honey, spicy, nectarine flavours. Finish is juicy and crisp with a bit of sweetness. Light, fun, fresh summer wine. Bravo. (AG-ST)

87 Stag's Hollow Syrah Rosé 2010 Syrah - Viognier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct and private wine shops
This stylish Okanagan pink is farmed as a rosé before brief skin contact yields its orange/pink eye of the partridge colour. Expect a bright, fresh red berry nose and a similarly fresh, citrus, red fruit and mineral flavoured palate. The blend is 94 percent syrah with 5 percent viognier and one percent muscat. (AG-ST)

88 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Stoneboat has nailed the fresh aspect of pinot gris revealing a very fruity gris with flecks of pear, honey and nectarine skin. The finish brings plenty of citrus and creamy mineral notes that cleanse the palate for the next bite of food. Well done. (AG-ST)

91 Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2009 Pinot Blanc - Orianiensteiner
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 (200 ml) winery direct
Lots of lime, marmalade, plasticene, beach ball, honey, green apple, apricot, floral, egg old and nectarine aromas. Rich, sweet, round, fresh but soft palate with creamy, honey, orange, dried apricot, baked apple, pear flavours. Long, unctuous finish, nice balance if a bit soft, Drink now-2 years. (AG-ST)

87 Summerhill Estate Winery Cipes Brut 2008 Riesling - Pinot Blanc - Chardonnay
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 specialty listing
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 Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Red Oldfield Collection 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The first release of a "Bordeaux" style blend from Tinhorn Creek mixing 42 cabernet sauvignon with equal parts of cabernet franc and merlot aged 18 months in new, one and two-year old French oak and then 15 more months in bottle. We like the smooth textures and floral notes that suggest a Bordeaux sensibility although the cabernet component is quite strong in a northwest herbal kind of way. The tannins are firm with black fruit, smoky chocolate coffee flavours. Age another 3 years or serve now with T-bone steaks. (AG-ST)

87 Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops
Still quite youthful the '08 Tinhorn presents on the sweeter, softer, fruiter side. The entry is round and soft, the fruit spicy with black olive, dried herbs and roasted bell pepper and floral red fruit notes. The tannins are dry showing a touch of oak. Best with hearty meat dishes or spaghetti and meatballs. (AG-ST)

89 Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $28.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
The seventh Oldfield Series Merlot blends 92% merlot with 5% cabernet franc and 3% syrah all aged 18 months separately in new, one and two-year old French oak. After the blending it spends another 15 months in bottle before release. The result is a red showing some attractive bottle-aged characters of sweet scented black cherry and chocolate with bits of cardamom, liquorice and saddle leather. Nice improvement on the previous edition. Try this with prime roast of beef. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores (Fall 2009)
Smoky, savoury, spicy, meaty, floral, blackberry, coffee, sage, tobacco, vanilla aromas with a touch of herbs and olives. Dry, round, supple, slightly tight palate but elegant with fresh acidity. Coffee, smoky, savoury, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, dried herb, minty, peppery, resin flavours. Well balanced and forward, should improve over the next few years. Solid style if a bit short on fruit. Certainly one of the best from Tinhorn. (AG-ST)

87 Township 7 Merlot 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing
Chocolate, prune, black cherry, tobacco leaf, peppery, vanilla, coffee bean aromas with a meaty note. Round, supple, dry, elegant palate with smoky Northwest herbal, cassis, peppery, coffee, barnyard flavours flecked with tobacco, vanilla, leather, olive flavours. Somewhat oaky style but well balanced. This could use a year or two in bottle to fully matured. Try it with a prime rib roast. (AG-ST)

88 Township 7 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Spicy, peppery, meaty, gamey, smoky, tobacco, rooty, black cherry aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly astringent palate but elegant. Smoky, peppery, black cherry, cassis, coffee, tobacco, savoury flavours. Solid intensity and balance, will improve with 1-2 years extra bottle age. (AG-ST)

88 Township 7 Syrah 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Fairly restrained style on the nose with reserved oak and bits of plums, fresh pepper and meaty gamy undertones. On the palate the entry is soft, with more gamy, leather, meaty, white pepper characters. You can drink this now but two more years in bottle will allow it some time to expand. Try it now with lamb shanks. (AG-ST)

87 Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Floral, almond, leesy, nutty, spicy, honey, apricot skin aromas. Ripe, round, soft, elegant palate with ginger, spicy lees, light honey, pear, lemon oil and orange flavours. Good intensity if a bit unusual varietal expression. (AG-ST)

88 Wild Goose Mystic River Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Somewhat ripe and mature nose with honey, floral, baked apple, orange, butter aromas. Rich, round, dry, full bodied style with honey, nutty, rose petal, spicy, baked pear, bitter orange peel flavours. Good intensity and length with balanced acidity. Ready now. (AG-ST)

88 Young & Wyse Collection Merlot 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 speculative listing - Landmark Wines
Year two at Young and Wyse brings a big improvement. The texture and weight is much improved with cedar cherry black olive notes on the nose and cherry, dried herb, tobacco and toasted oak flavours. Still quite youthful, yet the wine is approachable now with a steak or roast lamb. (AG-ST)