November 11, 2012 - B.C.'s Best From A to Z

88 8th Generation Vineyard Confidence Frizzante Style 2011 Dunkelfelder - Pinot Gris - Syrah
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.50 vqa, private wine stores, winery direct
It's easy to see why this wine sells out so fast. Its 50/40/10 mix of dunkelfelder, pinot gris and syrah spawns a delicious, fresh, berry nose with a hint of taffy apple. The attack is soft and sweet with fresh creamy strawberry and pink grapefruit flavours. You could easily serve this solo before the party or pair it up with spicy appetizers. Serve well chilled for best results. (AG-ST)

88 B-S White Table Wine (Michael Bartier-David Scholefield) 2011 Chardonnay - Pinot Grigio
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct; speculative listing - Landmark Wines
We like the latest BS white from Bartier and Scholefield and this year's chardonnay pinot gris mix. Still floral and dry it is slightly more aromatic with bits of apple, grapefruit and grass throughout. The attack is austere and restrained on the front palate but easy sipping and juicy fruit helps it slide down easily with flavours green apple, citrus and lemongrass. Quintessential Okanagan white for the thoughtful. (AG-ST)

90 Black Hills Alibi 2011 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Open clean fresh nose with pink grapefruit, citrus and floral aromas. Crisp and inviting. The attack is juicy, cool and elegant with sweet, smoky herbal notes. Look for more pink grapefruit, lemon thyme, mineral and ginger flavours with a trace of chalk underneath. Steamed buttered clams with a squeeze of Alibi in the pot works for me. (AG-ST)

88 Black Hills Carmenère 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Finally this wine has found its roots on the Black Sage Bench. And if an equal mix of new oak, one year old and two year old doesn't impress you fruit fans then maybe its 12.2 alcohol will grab your attention. Expect a typically peppery/leafy nose followed by a juicy fresh red fruit palate with supple tannins. A cool style, no chocolate version of carmenère that is carving out a home in BC. Best yet. (AG-ST)

89 Black Hills Syrah 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct and private wine shops
A nice follow-up to last year's premiere release. The nose is multi-dimensional with notes of pepper, smoke summer sausage and black cherry. The attack is similar with more smooth elegant restrained fruit sporting cola, cocoa, black cherry fruit. Think pork tenderloin or lamb chops and you can drink now otherwise hold five years for best results. (AG-ST)

88 Black Hills Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Similar to last year this viognier is heading down the cool elegant path. Expect a fresh citrus, tree fruits nose and flavours flecked with camomile tea, gingerbread, green apple skin, honey and a touch of lees. Food-friendly style you can serve with your favourite curry or creamy cheese. (AG-ST)

88 Blasted Church Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, AB $26.00 private wine shops
Fresh open, fruity nose with citrus, pear and ripe red apple notes. The attack is bracingly fresh with more ripe red apple and grapefruit flavours with a twist of spice. The fruit comes off multiple sites across the Okanagan valley. The winery recommends scallops in brown butter or past alfredo. The wine should slice through both. (AG-ST)

88 Blasted Church Unorthodox Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, vqa and private wine stores
The secret here is the ripe, aromatic musqué chardonnay clone that adds body and flavour to what is essentially an almost off-dry chardonnay. The late harvest hang-time contributes to the richness of the wine and its bright tropical fruit orange flavours. A perfect wine with enough residual sugar to really be effective with spicy Indian or pan Asian dishes. Well done. (AG-ST)

88 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $30.00 private wine shops, ON $30.00
Strawberry jam, licorice, worsteshire, tobacco, spicy, light barnyard and compost aromas. Dry, supple, delicate palate with strawberry, raspberry leaf, tobacco, coffee, orange peel, herbal, and black tea flavours. A well balanced, forward style to drink now and over the next two years. Good value. (AG-ST)

88 Calliope Viognier 2011
British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Mango, ginger, honeysuckle, light matchstick, floral, soapy aromas. Sweet, round, full, elegant, juicy palate with apricot, citrus, mango, ginger, floral flavours. Solid with good fruit but light and sweet. Many will love the sugar but it would be even better if it was slightly drier. Serve with spicy food. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Ehrenfelser 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
The Ehrenfelser at Mannhardt Vineyards is now 25 years old and this wine has never been better. The orange notes have been toned down a touch this year in favour of more nectarine and tropical fruit with a nice touch of sea salt. A classic turkey wine it is now dry enough and fruity enough to work with a wide spectrum of foods. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing
Pleasant rosewater, light sausage, grapefruit, spicy, ginger, baked pear aromas with a touch of honey. Soft, sweet, round, juicy palate with rose water, lychee, sausage, grapefruit rind, ginger and honey flavours. A solid effort that's perfect for Indian food or a warm summer afternoon. Winemaker Darryl Brooker adds about 10 per cent of barrel fermented and 'battonaged' juice to improve the weight and viscosity. Well done. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing
Classic BC merlot complete with savoury dried herb aromas and fresh red and black fruit flavours. The texture is soft and supple with a smooth fruity chocolate vanilla finish. The wine was aged 501 in oak to fully integrate all its parts. The mix is 92 percent merlot with 3 percent pinot noir and a dash of malbec and petit verdot. Try this with pork tenderloin or spaghetti Bolognese. (AG-ST)

88 CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2011
British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Fresh red apple, honey, floral, pear, guava, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, elegant palate with honey, baked apple, grapefruit, spicy, floral, lime rind and pear flavours. Good intensity and balance. Delicious and ready to drink. (AG-ST)

91 CedarCreek Platinum Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
CedarCreek best is labelled 'Platinum'. In this case Block Five clone 76 is the ingredient and it's all hand harvested and whole berry pressed before it is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in a mix of older French coopered oak puncheons. Winemaker Darryl Brooker is playing with wild ferments and 25 percent of this juice was fermented with wild vineyard yeast selected and started in the vineyard. The result is a stunning departure from the ordinary. Look for lean tropical fruit aromas with an intense acidity (mineral) grapefruit flavour with a nutty spicy finish. An exciting edition to the local chardonnay scene and it really just beginning to get its feet under it. Dungeness crab anyone? (AG-ST)

89 CedarCreek Platinum Home Block Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Winemaker Darryl Brooker's first red wines to be released include the "Home Block" 2010 Platinum Pinot Noir (blocks 2 and 4) replete with its floral/fragrant cool pinot nose flecked with spice, black cherry and worsteshire sauce. The attack is similarly cool and restrained with light tannins and firm black and sour cherry fruit mixed with dried herbs. A new, cooler direction for his variety that better expresses its northern terroir. Try this with grilled salmon or roast turkey. (AG-ST)

90 CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
The '09 Meritage is a 46/41/13/mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec all of which is essentially the best fruit aged in French oak for 20 months. The fruit is ripe and sweet on the attack with bits of coffee, tea, oak and spice throughout. Still very young but with plenty of potential to expand its persona over the next five years. If you decide to drink it now choose a grilled piece of meat to temper the fruit and tannins. (AG-ST)

90 CedarCreek Platinum Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing
The goal here is a rich style and the fruit comes off a warm site in Osoyoos. It was fermented for 47 days in stainless steel for fruit, a third in older barrels for texture and a third in concrete eggs which both retained the fruit and added texture. This is a gorgeous rendition of the variety and possibly the best I have tasted in Canada. I love the freshness and the minerality and the rich dollop of apricot/orange fruit throughout. Both fresh and exotic, it is home run. Most anything Asian would be an excellent match or turkey. (AG-ST)

90 CedarCreek Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Winemaker Darryl Brooker continues his quest to lower the alcohol at CedarCreek, especially among the aromatic varieties such as this delicious, electric, riesling at 10.5 percent alcohol. The fruit is a blend of two sites: the home block in Kelowna and Greata Ranch across the lake. The nose is expressive and fresh with tightly wound citrus and lime scented fruit that is the theme on the nose and palate. Light juicy fun yet serious it will pair with variety of West Coast foods. Delicious. (AG-ST)

89 Church & State Tre Bella 2011 Marsanne - Roussanne - Viognier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct or direct delivery via online ordering
Tre Bella is a delicious mix of marsanne, roussanne and viognier and its one of those wines that can change the way you think about the Okanagan. The nose is exotic with notes of lemon and lime rind and fresh, racy minerality. The attack is similarly crisp but with some round peachy apricot flavours with just a hint of sweetness in the finish. It spends four months on its lees in neutral barrels and is stirred intermittently. Food-friendly and ready party. (AG-ST)

89 Clos du Soleil Capella 2011 Sauvignon Blanc - Sémillon
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.90 winery direct
A delicious mineral-driven Similkameen white that mixes 95 per cent sauvignon blanc with five percent sémillon. The nose is clean with notes of gooseberry and passion fruit and wet stone with a brush of nettle. The attack is similarly fresh with fine acidity and notes of lemongrass and grapefruit with subtle undertones of minerality. (AG-ST)

88 Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Baessler Pinot Blanc 2011
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
Fresh light lees, red apple, pear skin nose with slate and floral aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate, dry palate with pear, honey, floral, lees, red apple and citrus peel flavours. Good juicy, elegant style with fruit length and some yeasty, mineral notes. All Similkameen. (AG-ST)

89 Gehringer Brothers Optimum Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 direct order - International Cellars
Floral, ripe pear, baked apple, matchstick, honey aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, slightly soft palate with baked pear, grapefruit, apple, chalky, honey flavours. Juicy and fruity with some good length. Very good value when compared to the category. (AG)

88 Gray Monk Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Impressive value here in an expressive riesling mixing peachy, limon/mineral aromas that spilled onto the palate. The attack is juicy and fresh with more lemongrass, peach and mineral characters with just a hint of lees in the finish. Perfect for Pan Asian seafood dishes or your favourite vegetable sushi roll. (AG-ST)

89 Haywire Pinot Gris Switchback Vineyard 'Raised in Concrete' 2011
Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct; speculative listing - Landmark Wines
The 'silver' label is a select portion of the Haywire Vineyard that is fermented in concrete eggs. The nose is a delicate mix of slate, pear, floral, waxy, grassy, light mango aromas. The attack is fresh and juicy, if a touch austere, but with a fine creamy, chalky palate flecked with more green apple skin, grapefruit rind, pear, pea shoot, grass and honey flavours. Good finesse and fruit in a feed-me, less pinot gris and more Okanagan, food style white. (AG-ST)

88 Haywire Pinot Gris Switchback Vineyard Clone 52 2011
Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct; speculative listing - Landmark Wines
The 2011 Switchback gris clone 52 offers more concentration flavour as the vineyard rounds into shape. What we like about this wine is it tastes less like pinot gris and more like white wine made in a northern climate that is Summerland. Farmed sustainably and heading toward full organic and possibly biodynamic standards the acidity is off-the-charts delicious with a restrained nectarine skin, citrus melon fruit aromas and flavours that do not overpower. Oysters, seafood, heirloom tomato salads, it all works. (AG-ST)

89 Hester Creek Old Vines Block 16 Trebbiano 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
At $23 trebbiano has arrived in the Okanagan. The only single bottling we know of in BC the vines date back to the early 1970s and are the oldest on the estate. The nose is an aromatic mix of bright honeysuckle and red apples. The attack is similar with ripe tropical undertones, apricots, white peach and lime rind. Think Pad Thai, spicy, grilled chicken or summer pasta dishes. Much better again under screwcap. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Pinot Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $16.00 specialty listing
There has been a fine turnaround at Hester Creek beginning with clean fresh wines and now heading into something a bit more electric and interesting. The latest pinot blanc jumps from the glass with fresh ripe apple fruit mixed with melon and nectarine notes. Love the touch of touch of lees coming through to complex the palate a bit and make it more food friendly. Linguine and clams is a perfect match. (AG-ST)

88 Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private liquor stores
Light honey, pear, green apple, floral, spicy, matchstick aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, slightly sweet palate with baked green apple, honey, earthy, citrus, grassy, butter flavours. Juicy, tight finish. Solid effort. (AG-ST)

89 Hillside Estate Gewürztraminer 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, VQA wine stores
Lovely spicy, floral, smoked sausage, light lychee, peach, ginger aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant, slightly sweet entry with honey, floral, pink grapefruit, sausage, rose water and lychee flavours with some peach skin on the finish. Nice friendly, juicy style with some intensity. Delicious and affordable. (AG)

89 Hillside Estate Mosaic 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot - Malbec
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct
Mosaic is a five grape mix of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot that continue to put on age in the vineyard. A switch to all French oak has furthered elevated the complexity of this red that leads with its dark fruit aromas and flavours. Like previous editions there are some Christmas cake notes on the finish but thankfully the entire package is drier and more food friendly. Still tight and youthful but we expect this to expand in the bottle over the next three years. (AG)

89 Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Gold Series SunRock Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 specialty listing, winery direct
This wine/vineyard continues to impress each year. The grapes come off a single vineyard site tucked up against a massive rock face on the east side of the south Okanagan that heats up all day and acts like a furnace throughout the night. Expect a dark colour and a fresh, peppery nose with bits of smoked meat and black fruit. The attack is dense and glossy with more peppery, meaty flavours tailor-made for grilled meats and aged cheeses. (AG)

90 Joie A Noble Blend 2011 Riesling - Gewurztraminer - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Auxerrois - Schoenberger
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, private wine shops, ON $34.00
This wine has scored well over the years but we were always looking for that something extra: more pure fruit, and less of those rind-y bitter notes in the finish so prevalent in many aromatic Okanagan blends. The '11 NB puts riesling to the head of the blend at 38 percent the rest of the mix is 33/14/11/4 gewürztraminer/pinot blanc/pinot auxerrois/schönburger; the result is magic. So pure and fresh and focused with intense tangerine, guava and fruit aromas and flavours. This is a delicious bottle of wine. (AG-ST)

88 Joie Muscat The Pure Grape 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Spicy, floral, lemon oil, citrus rind, apple skin, soapy orange aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp palate with minty, ginger, floral, lemony, citrus oil, green apple and lychee flavours. A bit tart on the finish but with fine varietal intensity. Try this with fish dishes. (AG-ST)

90 Joie Riesling iv 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 restaurants, private wine shops
Clearly the best Joie riesling we have had since the beginning. Older vines, better sites, better wine making take you pick but this is the stuff that turns heads. Love the intensity of pure fruit flavours especially the exotic peachy orange notes. There is a sense of blance here and no bitter notes in the juicy fresh finish. Practically unlimited in its ability to pair with food. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private liquor stores
Pinot Blanc has always been a winner at Lake Breeze and the latest under screwcap is impressive. The latest is a bright fresh, fruit-driven white with excellent fruit and acidity balance. The fruit is 100 per cent estate grown on the Naramata Bench and a delicious mix of apple, and lemon flavours flecked with mineral, nectarine skin and bits of peach. Super value. (AG-ST)

88 Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
It's been a while since we've seen the top chardonnay from Lake Breeze but it seems as good as ever. Seven Poplars gets barrel fermented in new French oak and then 70 per cent of that juice is aged six months in barrel; the remainder goes to stainless steel. Look for an attractive ripe buttery nose with fresh peach and floral notes over a rich, nutty, peach fruit mid-palate with a wisp of butterscotch in the back end. Love the balance here and given how young this wine is we expect it will really blossom in another two years as the lees works its magic and the tropical notes subside. Serve now with lobster or crab. (AG-ST)

89 Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Lake Breeze Vineyards seemed to go quietly about their business on the bench always making technically sound wines but in the last few years winemaker Garron Elmes has really begun to spread his wings making far more interesting versions of classic BC Varieties. Case in point is the crazy delicious 2010 Seven Poplars pinot. Its alluring nose reminiscent of mid-valley fruit draws you into the glass. Spice black raspberry sweet and sour cherry fruit abounds with rooty, earthy mushroom notes underneath to keep it all on track. Round and ripe but pleasingly dry this wine was built for food and contemplation. Turkey would be a fine match or any earthy fall dish. (AG-ST)

88 Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Lake Breeze almost always hits the mark as exemplified by its fresh, grassy, gooseberry style sauvignon with plenty of crisp, citrus flavours with a twist of tropical fruit. ten percent is barrel fermented and a small percentage of semillon adds complexity and depth to the flavours. The winery offers it on the patio with a Dungeness crab, arugula, shitake mushroom in a smoked tomato bacon vinaigrette. (AG-ST)

89 Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay +20/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct
Buttery, vanilla, light lees, matchstick, pear, canned peach, honey, slightly nutty aromas. Round, juicy, fresh, slightly sweet entry with red apple, honey, butter, cinnamon, light lees, citrus flavours. Elegant, juicy, somewhat buttery style. Needs another year in bottle to reach maturity. (AG-ST)

91 Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah+7/10 2010 Syrah - Viognier
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $34.00 winery direct
The fruit is grown in Osoyoos and the wine is made by co-fermenting a small amount of viognier with the syrah in large casks and tanks. The viognier adds some floral mineral notes and tends to open up the syrah allowing it to fully express its potential in the bottle. Look for a rich, smooth, fresh palate with blackberry jam, menthol, ginger, pepper, sausage meat, vanilla, coffee, clove, curry flavours. The style is big and bold and will need a piece of lamb or two to five more years in bottle. (AG-ST)

88 Laughing Stock Vineyards Viognier +28/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 winery direct
Floral, honey, light ginger, melon, red apple, butter, citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, elegant palate with light lees, butter, honeysuckle, nutty, ginger, red apple, guava and baked pear flavours. Solid, fresher style. (AG-ST)

89 Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 Winery Direct or Christopher Stewart
Bright, fresh, grassy, grapefruit nettle aromas with a smooth supple attack on the palate. A portion of the wine was fermented in oak to add some texture along with extended lees contact but the wine still remains fresh. Look for bright passion fruit/grapefruit flavours with a touch of stony/minerality. Oysters anyone. (AG-ST)

88 Martin's Lane Pinot Noir 2010
Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
A surprising effort with spicy, smoky, celery salt, rhubarb, cherry nose flecked with pepper, worsteshire and a touch of barnyard. The attack is dry and fresh with peppery, green tea, rhubarb, cherry, resin, smoky, carrot top, herbal flavours. Still tight and oaky but this will blossom in bottle. The 2010 limited edition Martin's Lane pinot was hand-picked from select pinot parcels in East and West Kelowna. The fruit is a mix of four clones 777, 667, 114, 115 on three rootstocks. (AG)

89 Martin's Lane Riesling 2011
East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Martin's Lane is hillside-grown on the steepest portion of the Mission Hill Road vineyard. Love the intense floral, green apple, lime, honey, peach skin and grass aromas. The palate is juicy and fresh with crisp crunchy fruit reminiscent of mango, orange, lime and green apple flavours. Plenty of acidity will allow this for this to grow in the bottle over the next five years in bottle or allow endless food pairing snow. (AG)

91 Mission Hill Compendium 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $107.00 (1500 ml), BC $50.00 winery direct, MB $45.00 private wine stores, SK $45.00
The latest Compendium blend is 40/35/20/5 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The grapes come off specific blocks in Oliver and Osoyoos and end up in 100 percent French oak for 14 months. Nose is remarkably floral with a strong sense of minerality and a hint of seashore. The attack is sleek and sophisticated. The tannins are small firm and chalky; the flavor profile is very Bordelais with tobacco, black olive savoury notes throughout. An impressive young red wine. (AG-ST)

90 Mission Hill Compendium 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 winery direct, MB $45.00 private wine stores
Compendium is a 43/28/26/3/ blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot fermented in large French oak vats for 15 months. The nose is an enticing mix of black cherry, cassis, meaty, peppery, spicy, and savoury notes flecked with saddle leather, chocolate, coffee and tobacco notes. The attack is refined, the fruit juicy and plump and full of fine-grained tannins, smoke, vanilla, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, black olive, peppery, blackberry flavours. Still youthful, this will improve over the next few years and tame the oak and tannins on the finish. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Limited Edition Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 specialty listing
Wonderfully aromatic with green apple, orange blossoms, tangerines wafting from the glass. Expect soft, supple inviting textures, yet fresh and juicy. Love the lemon/peach notes and its long, fresh creamy just off-dry finish. It is a perfect match for spicy, fall and winter Indian dishes. A fine edition to the lineup in 2011. Good value. (AG-ST)

92 Mission Hill Oculus 2008 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $70.00 winery direct, AB $70.00 private wine stores, ON $70.00 Vintages, consignment mark Anthony
Oculus like Osoyoos Larose continues down the path of refinement. The latest 08 is more expressive on the nose with spicy, coffee, orange peel, black cherry jam aromas mixed with liquorice, cedar, sage, vanilla and cranberry and leather. Dry, full, rich, somewhat tannic palate but juicy. Orange peel, chocolate, coffee, peppery, savoury, minty, meaty, cranberry, blackberry, saddle leather, tobacco, olive flavours. Lots of intensity and concentration but still with some youthful, small-grained tannin to dissipate. It needs five to seven years to round out but it should repay that cellaring time generously. (AG-ST)

92 Mission Hill Oculus 2009 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $70.00 winery direct, AB $70.00 private wine stores, ON $70.00 Vintages, consignment mark Anthony
Oculus is the pinnacle red at Mission Hill fashioned after the great red blends of Bordeaux and made with select grapes from designated blocks in Osoyoos and Oliver. No wine in the region is handled more gently before it is aged 14.5 months in French barriques. The nose is a fragrant mix of dark plummy fruit spiced with coffee, orange peel, liquorice and black sage aromas. The mix is now 50 percent merlot with 30/15/5 bits of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot all of which lends the wine an attractive soft, elegant demeanour and slippery fine grained tannins. You can drink it now if you must but five to seven years will repay your patience handsomely. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 specialty listing, AB $40.00 private wine stores, ON $35.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands, QC $40.00, SK $40.00
Honey, peach, vanilla, light lees, pineapple, buttery, toasty, fruit cocktail aromas. Ripe, round, full, fat but juicy palate with a hint of sweetness. Melon, butter, honey, spicy lees, vanilla bean, baked apple, chalky, citrus flavours. The finish is a touch rind-y and salty. Needs a year or so to integrate and fill out. Perpetua is a single vineyard, one hundred percent chardonnay farmed on the Osoyoos lake bench using a mix of three clones: clone 96 (Dijon), clone 809 (Loire) and clone 76 (Dijon). Twenty-five percent is barrel fermented in new French oak for 10 months and stirred by hand every two weeks. (AG-ST)

91 Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 specialty listing, AB $40.00 private wine stores, ON $35.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands, QC $40.00, SK $40.00
Perpetua opens with an appealing honey and oats nose flecked with red apple, light lees and spice. The attack is creamy and smooth with some primary apple notes mixed with spice and caramel/baked apple. The finish is long, persistent and warm. Three clones make up the mix of fruit in Perpetua a single vineyard, one hundred percent chardonnay farmed on the Osoyoos Lake Bench. Delicate and creamy the 2011 is showing early promise with better concentration and length. About a quarter is barrel fermented in new French oak for 10 months and stirred by hand every two weeks. Halibut is a fine match. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Pinot Gris Reserve 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops, AB $19.00 private wine shops, NB $22.30, ON $20.00 Vintages, SK $20.00
Classic pinot gris with intense honey/earthy, ginger notes and a touch of fruit cocktail. Fresh salty mineral mid-palate with pear and peach flavours all over a citrus undercurrent that is structurally built for food. We suggest linguine and clams as the perfect match. (AG-ST)

90 Mission Hill Quatrain 2009 Merlot - Syrah - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 winery direct or private wine stores, AB $45.00 private wine stores, MB $50.00, ON $47.00 consignment - Mark Anthony
The 09 Quatrain is a 30/30/20/20/ blend of merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc fermented in large French oak vats. Expect a fragrant nose cherry with sweet liquorice and spicy warm mocha, meaty notes. All the fruit comes off the best blocks farmed in the south Okanagan and spends 15 months in French oak. The finish is warm and long with chalky but firm tannins and will need some time to come around in the bottle. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Quatrain 2008 Merlot - Syrah - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $44.00 winery direct or private wine stores, AB $45.00 private wine stores, MB $45.00, ON $42.00 consignment - Mark Anthony
The 08 Quatrain is a 34/22/15/29/ blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and syrah fermented in large French oak vats. The nose is an attractive mix of spicy, vanilla, chocolate, cherry jam aromas with flecks of pepper, tobacco, meaty/orange compote. The attack is dry and elegant even slightly Bordelais lean with some gritty tannins. The palate is awash in smoky, peppery, chocolate, meaty, minty, black cherry fruit with an Okanagan swirl of herbal, savoury, tapenade and vanilla flavours. A bit on the lean side but this will fill out in the bottle over the next few years. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $24.00 private wine stores, ON $26.00 LCBO, SK $25.00
Mission Hill family estate reserve Merlot 2009 Beautiful dark sweet fruit vanilla nose, flecked with anise and wallop of plums. The attack is bright and packed with warm, spicy, chocolate fruit and fine length. The tannins are slippery and sleek. The finish is warm and glossy with blueberry and mocha undertones and toasted oak overtones. Impressive youthful style. Drink now with grilled meats or hold for the next five years. Reminds us a bit of Walla Walla. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing, AB $25.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $25.00 Vintages, QC $24.00
Smells like pinot... yeah! Mission Hill has done a fine job evolving its pinot noir and the 2011 is a case in point. Fresh, spicy and rich with a dusting of dried herbs and earth it has both a fine silky texture and length with lively acidity to boot. The palate is a mix of black cherry fruit with just a hint of spice and tannin. Duck confit, salmon fishcakes and turkey will all work as a match. Good value. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shops
Impressively dry going for the stark, electric juicy style with lime, talcum powder, nectarine, and tropical fruit notes throughout. Somewhat reminiscent of the Eden Valley style. Taut and vary clean with just a hint of dryness in the finish. A super food-friendly riesling made for West Coast Asian cuisine. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 specialty listing, NB $20.00, ON $20.00
Love the aromatics here. Passion fruit and gooseberry dominate but with some ripe, juicy grapefruit notes and a squeeze of lime rind. A small amount of wood fermented juice adds weight and mid-palate texture to this delicious white. The sweetness in the finish suggests spicy dishes would be complementary be they Western or Occidental. (AG)

88 Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $22.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $25.00, QC $27.50, SK $26.00
Light honey, baked pear, vanilla, spicy, clove, apricot nose with floral, red apple and mango aromas. The attack is fresh and crisp with citrus, apple, honey, floral, buttery, spicy lees and vanilla flavours with a touch of orange and guava on the finish. A bit short on the mid-palate but with fine freshness and finesse. Give it a year or two to develop. The SLC is 35 percent aged in French oak for 8 months. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $40.00 private wine shops, MB $40.00, ON $37.15, QC $40.00
The SLC merlot is made from select blocks and rows grown at several Osoyoos estates. There wasn't much easy about the 2009 vintage but this 100 percent merlot prevailed. Look for a spicy, peppery, saddle leather nose with bits of barnyard, liquorice, tobacco, olive, vanilla and cherry jam aromas. The palate is full and round with juicy, peppery, coffee, chocolate, spicy, black cherry flavours flecked with resin, sagebrush and vanilla, black olive flavours. Expect this to fill in and improve over the next few years. (AG-ST)

88 Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops, AB $22.00 fine wine boutiques
Honey, pear, grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry and lees aromas with a touch of vanilla, pea shoot and tropical note. Fresh, juicy, elegant, round palate with passion fruit, chalky, apple skin, pear, grassy, grapefruit rind and vanilla flavours. Youthful with good finesse, needs a year or two in bottle. (AG-ST)

89 Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $37.00 winery direct, Mark Anthony stores, AB $35.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $40.00, ON $37.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands
Formidable nose of black cherry, meaty, spicy, saddle leather, vanilla with light garrigue aromas. Ripe and full the fruit is juicy and warm on the palate with glossy tannins. Expect youthful savoury flavours of blueberries, black cherries, spice, meat and coffee flavours. Plenty of fruit will carry this forward over the next two to four years. The Syrah has been aged in French oak barrels for 16.5 months. Cellar two to five years. (AG-ST)

89 Moon Curser Dead of the Night 2009 Tannat - Syrah
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $38.00 winery direct
Recently retasted (one year later) and still round and full with an intense plum/cherry nose and underlying savoury, vanilla, tobacco, coffee notes. The attack is dry, the textures supple with fresh acidity and a rich peppery, tobacco, meaty, smoky, cherry jam and savoury flavours. It finishes warm with solid fruit and some young acidity. Good effort that is big warm and rich. Not cheap. (AG-ST)

89 Moon Curser Merlot 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
All the merlot fruit comes off the Osoyoos East Bench perhaps the warmest piece of dirt in Canada. Expect a rich herbal northwest merlot with a dollop of sweet American oak. The nose is dark plum with pepper and five-spice and it carries through on the palate. The attack is glossy and supple with good acidity more cedar, kirsch, black olive, savoury flavours. A super effort that will improve in bottle. Well done. (AG-ST)

88 Moon Curser Syrah 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants
Big peppery, spicy, sausage meat, gingerbread, vanilla, sage aromas flecked with tobacco, earth and liquorice. Full, round, dry, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Tobacco, black cherry, smoky, earthy, sausage meat, peppery, rooty, ginger, vanilla, savoury flavours. Good intensity and solid flavours but lacks a bit of middle at this stage with some tannin still to shed. Try this with venison this fall or wait a year. (AG-ST)

88 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery / private wine shops
A very cold winter led into a dry warm almost normal 09 vintage before it all stop on October 15 with a devastating frost that froze the leaves effectively terminating the vintage. In the case of pinot the grapes were in good shape and yield an attractive mix of strawberry and rhubarb on the nose and palate all underpinned by fine acidity and an earthy, spicy, light tannin structure that carries thorough the finish. Despite its Q2 status this red is ready to drink. We suggest whole-roasted chicken would be a fine match. (AG-ST)

90 Painted Rock Syrah 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 winery direct, private wine shops
This big spicy, brooding black fruit scented syrah with a dollop of Okanagan sage has really come together in the bottle over the last six months and will likely improve through 2015. Both ripe and rich it exudes a New World syrah stance mixing liquorice, smoky, black tea and roasted meat characters flecked with plums and spicy oak. Tasted several times now and it gets better each time out. You can drink it now with a big piece of grilled lamb or put in the cellar for another five years. (AG-ST)

88 Pentâge Winery Roussanne Marsanne Viognier 2010 Roussane-Marsanne-Viognier
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, private wine shops
White Rhone blends have always intrigued the bored wine drinker and BC winemakers are finally experimenting freely with roussanne, marsanne and viognier in varying mixes with much success. Love the bright, ripe, peachy, ginger melon fruit with fine spice. The textures are rich and smooth and if anything could use a touch more acidity. An exciting development at Pentâge. (AG-ST)

88 Perseus Synergy Pinot Grigio 2011
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct or private wine stores
Expect a bright crisp entry and an equally fresh attack with salty, mineral, white fruit flavours and a mix of earth and honey throughout. A perfect wine for pasta and clams or salmon or tuna sashimi or serve solo on the patio. (AG-ST)

88 Perseus Tempus 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $29.00 winery direct or private wine stores
Open spicy, peppery, gingerbread nose with meaty, liquorice root, black cherry, plum, savoury, vanilla aromas. A smooth syrah with a supple palate and plenty of black liquorice, curry spice, sage, black cherry, peppery, floral, meaty flavours with some chocolate and vanilla on the finish. A bit warm (alcoholic) but with solid fruit and balance. Drink now or hold for a year two. Try this with grilled lamb chops. (AG-ST)

89 Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $35.00 winery direct, private wine shops
If syrah is nudging its way on to the main stage cabernet franc is far behind and one of the valley leaders is the Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2009 $35. Cabernet franc thrives in cooler climates in part because the vine gets underway early in the spring but it comes with a different style red, floral fruit with a dusting of dried herbs and spice. The tannins are supple, the texture amazingly round for such a young wine that has a full life ahead of it. (AG-ST)

88 Poplar Grove Merlot 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Peppery, spicy, cherry, tobacco, cedar, licorice root and light sandalwood aromas with a touch of volatility. Dry, full, round, warm palate with smooth tannins. Chocolate, vanilla, peppery, rooty, licorice, savoury, black cherry, tobacco, minty, olive flavours. A bit warm and tart on the finish but has good overall finesse. Needs a few years to integrate the oak. (AG-ST)

89 Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, private wine shops
The latest gris is a hint drier and fresher which is good trend. Look for a big citrus hit up front mixed with grass; almost sauvignon-like. The attack is fresh and watery with mineral wet stone citrus green apple flavours and just a hint of bitterness in the finish. Love the fresh zippy character of this wine that will allow you to have fun with an infinite mix of foods. The simple match is a classic tomato pizza but you can also serve it with a savoury roast chicken. (AG-ST)

88 Poplar Grove The Legacy 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 winery direct
Spicy, chocolate, vanilla, prune, tobacco, meaty, coffee, black olive, minty, cassis, dried cranberry aromas with a hint of volatility. Full, round, slightly chewy palate with tobacco, cedar, earthy, liquorice, green olive, cherry, cranberry, coffee, vanilla flavours. Elegant and juicy with some green tea tannins on the finish. Needs 2-4 years to properly mature in bottle. (AG-ST)

89 Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, private wine shops, AB $20.00 private wine stores, NS $24.00, ON $20.00, SK $20.00
A solid, well-made chardonnay that mixes bits of bread dough and tropical fruit aromas with flecks of orange and butter. The attack is fresh and juicy if a touch sweet with fine weight and green apple, honey, mineral and hazelnut notes throughout. An excellent cool style that offers good value at $19. A solid pick for restaurants and salmon. The mix is 50/50 tank and wood fermented with only 20 percent new French and American oak. (AG-ST)

88 Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris 2011 Chasselas - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, AB $22.00 private wine shops
Expect a bracingly fresh aromatic almost equal blend of chasselas, pinot blanc and pinot gris. The attack is crisp green apple, green peas and mineral, floral aromas with a touch of passion fruit. Sleek lean fresh and clean the mid-palate is similar with grapefruit, citrus and honey flavours. A refreshing picnic style made for summer. (AG-ST)

88 Quinta Ferreira Merlot 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 VQA wine stores, winery direct
Peppery, smoky, prune and black cherry, tobacco aromas flecked with black olive, leather, dried tomato and espresso aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly tannic palate with good extract. Smoky oak, espresso, vanilla, black olive, peppery, earthy, tobacco, black cherry, prune and herb flavours with a light barnyard and cedar note. Needs 1-2 years. Impressive effort to be served with roast beef or T-bone steaks. (AG-ST)

88 Road 13 Home Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, VQA wine shops
Ginger, soapy floral, butter, green apple, honey, matchstick and lees aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet and oily entry with minty, grassy, ginger, herbal, green apple, honey, butter and leafy flavours. Finish is juicy and a bit sweet with an herb, butter note. Unique and well worth checking out. Try this with pan-Asian dishes for best effect. (AG-ST)

89 Road 13 Jackpot Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct, vqa and private wine stores, AB $26.00 private wine shops
Honey, pear, light apricot, light lees, butter and ginger aromas. Light, fresh but soft and gentle palate with a touch of sweetness. Very buttery, popcorn, honey, apricot, nutty lees flavours. One of the best yet from winemaker J M Bouchard and one to watch in the bottle. (AG-ST)

88 Sandhill Pinot Gris Hidden Terrace 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 specialty listing, AB $17.00 private wine shops, MB $17.00, SK $18.00
Tssted several times the Hidden Terrace is a new single vineyard gris, north 0f Oliver tucked up behind McIntyre Bluff some 110 meters above the Okanagan River. Super young vines have yielded a taut citrus juicy white that has a bright fresh demeanour. Love the fruit persistence throughout this pinot gris that is more along the juicy, mineral, chalky route than the heavier honey earthy style. Well done bring on the halibut. Fine value. (AG)

88 Spierhead Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct
It's pretty easy to like this soft, slippery pinot long on juicy fruit. It's not complex but it's fun to sip. Kelowna is beginning to flex its pinot muscles all we need are more examples and less showy oak to join the fold. Buy this soft, cherry scented and flavoured red and try with a piece of grilled or roasted chicken and enjoy all winter. (AG-ST)

90 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct
The 2011 pinot gris is likely the best yet from Stoneboat; likely due to older vines, more experience at making wine, and the rocks. So fresh and bright on the nose it has an electric citrus/mineral demeanour that spreads across the palate from front to back. We just love the dry, stony, nectarine flavours and the creamy textures. A fabulous argument for a Lower Black Sage Bench sub-Appellation. Stupid value here and the perfect match fresh halibut. (AG-ST)

92 Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Ariel Premier Cuvée 1998 Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot Meunier
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $85.00 winery direct
Summerhill has had its ups and downs over the years but lately there are more ups than down and the new ups are higher. Case in point is the stunningly fine Cipes Ariel bubble. Mysteriously lost in the depths of the cellar the 1998 has emerged as one of the finest sparkling wines ever made in British Columbia. The fruit is estate grown at Summerhill's Kelowna vineyard and is now a delicious, old, 59/40/1 blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. Expect a rich, powerful yet delicate nose of complex aromas including citrus, brioche, apricot skin and hazelnuts. The texture is equally impressive and creamy with a fine lees character that adds to its complexity. The flavours are more gout Anglais than fresh but it remains in fine shape with bright lemon, toasted ginger and bits of red apple fruit. Very food-friendly and ready to drink. (AG)

90 Tantalus Riesling 2011
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
Typically at the extreme end of freshness and acidity. Pure, electric mineral floral citrus green apple fruit without any overpowering sulphur yeah. The attack is textbook crisp and clean with vibrant delicious flavours that combine lemon, honey, lime and green apple and tangerine notes. A juicy mouth-watering style made for food. Super effort. Hard to believe it has 19g/l residual sugar. (AG-ST)

89 Tantalus Rosé 2011 Pinot Meunier - Pinot Noir
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct
There a reason why this wine sells out so quickly. The recipe is fresh fruit and electricity with a squeeze of lemon and hard red candies. The magic ingredient is a whiff of the same minerality you get in the hone vineyard riesling. Amazingly this is a single vineyard rosé made from a block of pinot meunier vines planted in 1985 with just a pinch of pinot noir equally as old. Bravo (AG-ST)

90 Terravista Fandango Albariño Verdejo 2011 Albariño - Chardonnay
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 winery direct
Senka and Bob Tennant (formerly Black Hills) are back in business; this time on Naramata Bench. Terravista Fandago is an albariño/verdejo blend and one of only two wines made at the property. The blend is a first for me in Canada and I love the entire idea of this wine. Its über fresh and electric, perhaps to tart for some palates but serve this with a charcuterie plate and it's magic. Look for intense, citrus scents and flavours washed in minerality. Super refreshing (AG-ST)

90 Terravista Figaro Roussanne Viognier Marsanne 2010 Roussanne - Viognier - Marsanne
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $24.00 winery direct
Senka and Bob Tennant (formerly Black Hills) are back in business; this time on Naramata Bench. Terravista Figaro is a blend of roussanne, viognier and marsanne and one of only two wines made at the property. Sanka Tennat has a flare for making refreshing, exciting white wines and Figaro is another example. The nose is an attractive mix of white flowers, pepper and citrus with bits peach and honeysuckle. The midpalate is fresh if a touch watery but we will take the easy-drinking style over the thick and alcoholic. Turkey any one? (AG-ST)

88 Therapy Vineyards Pink Freud 2011 Merlot - Pinot Noir
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing
Earthy, spicy, tobacco, strawberry, rooty, light raspberry aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet style but elegant with strawberry, leafy, tobacco, apple, earthy flavours with a bit of cranberry. A touch tart but good fruit throughout. Drink now. Odd blend of merlot and pinot noir. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Rosé Oldfield Series 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct
The third release of the 2bench rosé actually comes off one bench; it is 100 per cent cabernet franc from Diamondback Vineyard, Black Sage Bench on the east side of the valley. The winery only release has a very pleasing pale orange/pink colour and a fresh fruity nose. A cooler than normal 2011 resulted in some early planning to make more cabernet franc. Look for a fun mix of cherry fruit, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet fruit. Ready to drink. (AG-ST)

89 Tinhorn Creek 2Bench White Oldfield Series 2011 Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon - Viognier - Muscat
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $23.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
The Tinhorn Creek 2Bench White 2011 mixes 51 percent chardonnay with 31 per cent sauvignon blanc, viognier sémillon and muscat (some of which are co-fermented) to better mix all the fruit flavours. One thing about cool years, if you can get the crop load right the fruit is stunning and in this case the mix of aromatic and tropical fruit aromas in 2011 are stunning and well supported by a firm acidic underbelly. A friendly screwcap white that is both fresh and rich enough to maeks its way with winter fare. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $18.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Enticing sausage meat, lychee, honey, lees, floral, ginger aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with green apple, peach pit, dry lychee, grapefruit, ginger and rose water flavours. Good intensity in a drier style for food. Well done. (AG-ST)

89 Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 Crush Club Members only
Spicy, peppery, savoury, strawberry, cherry, tobacco, rooty, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly austere palate with smoky, dried herb, raspberry, orange peel, coffee, vanilla and licorice flavours. Finish has a bit of compost and carrot in a balanced edition with some finesse. Drink now - 3 years. Very solid effort. (AG-ST)

88 Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops
The best pinot yet we have seen form Tinhorn. The nose is mix of tobacco leaf, cherry, earthy, resin and light, smoky vanilla aromas. The attack is fresh, round and pinot delicate with strawberry jam, smoky, resin, orange peel, vanilla, cedar and tobacco flavours. The finish is warm but with a fine fruit base and balance. Drink now- 2 years. (AG-ST)

91 Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Kerner Icewine 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 (200 ml) VQA wine shops
Ripe pear, honey, orange peel, baked apple, butter and nalgene aromas. Ripe, rich, full, juicy, elegant palate with pear, honey, baked citrus, butter, spicy, floral, flavours. Good acidity and balance and a fine improvement from last few vintages. (AG-ST)

88 Township 7 '7 Blanc' 2011 Gewurztraminer - Pinot Gris
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct, VQA stores, private wine shops
The 2011 version of 7-Blanc remains an aromatic expression this year a 60/40 split of co-fermented Naramata gewürztraminer and pinot gris. Just off-dry at 8.3 g/l it has a very floral nose with lemon and grapefruit aromas that preview a fresh tasty peachy red apple flavoured white with a touch of dusty minerality in the finish. This would be a solid match with spicy Asian fare or with most poultry dishes. Good value. (AG-ST)

88 Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $25.00 specialty listing
Vanilla, butterscotch, garlic, lees, honey, nutty, baked apple aromas. Round, slightly oily, fresh but soft palate with a touch of sweetness. Spicy lees, garlic, toasty nut, baked peach, buttery, pear and honey flavours. A more traditional style with a strong lees character. Now mature and ready to drink. (AG-ST)

88 Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2011 Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.00 winery direct and private wine shops
Floral, green apple, pear skin, light lees, grassy, grapefruit aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp and juicy palate with honey, green apple, spicy, floral, pear and green peach flavours. Very fresh style that should be good for another one or two years. Vivacious is mostly pinot blanc with a dash of pinot gris all home grown on the Home Lot Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. (AG-ST)

89 Van Westen Vineyards Vulture 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 estimated retail
A re-taste of this wine a year on shows improvement in a minimally-sulphited pure cabernet franc that has really expanded in bottle. Look for a sage, curry spicy, smoky, and cranberry, tobacco nose flecked with pepper, vanilla, cedar, floral, chocolate aromas. It has a dry, full, fresh, juicy palate with some young tannins and cranberry, plum, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, floral, vanilla, chocolate, poultry spice and liquorice flavours. Good finesse and concentration but still needs 2-3 years to fully mature and be the red wine it can. (AG-ST)

88 Wild Goose Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $17.00 specialty listing
Always fresh and clean the nose is a mix of mineral, clover floral honey notes with bits of spice and pear. The attack is fresh and Germanic with green apple and citrus lime flavours with a touch of honey in the finish. Solid value and as usual very food friendly. Think chicken or sushi. (AG-ST)

89 Young & Wyse Collection Pinot Gris 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct, private wine shops
It's not hard to like this crisp version of Okanagan pinot gris. The nose is tight and fresh with big stone fruit and citrus aromas. The attack is a soft juicy mix of minerals and citrus with nectarine skin notes and a hint of sagebrush throughout. A super rendition of Okanagan pinot gris in a restrained cool style that in my opinion is the best style to pursue in BC. (AG-ST)