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Tastings: June 2025
16 June 2025
89PTS
Marqués de Cáceres Ecológico 2022
Rioja, SpainThis organically certified Rioja consists of 75% tempranillo, and graciano. The grapes are fermented whole, which increases the fruitiness. After fermentation, it spends approximately 90 days in third use American oak barrels, primarily for aeration rather than imparting oak flavours. The wine exhibits a ruby to dark cherry colour with a nose of wild berries, smoky licorice, and hints of vanilla and spice. It has a soft texture and is ready to drink. This wine pairs well with barbecue lamb chops, chicken wings, or cheese.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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13 June 2025
87PTS
Pillitteri Sunlight White 2021
Ontario, CanadaSunlight White is a lighter (9.5%) vidal, meant to be calorie conscious (90 cals / 5oz) and also has a temperature sensitive label, with the sun turning bright orange when the wine is cooled for drinking. It was fermented and briefly aged in stainless. Tight and lean, with lime leaf, tart green apple, and subtle white melon, finishing with a snappy white grapefruit note. Simple, clean, and light, as intended.Prices:| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Anthony Buchanan Chenin Blanc Pacific Northwest 2024
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis chenin blanc is sourced from 30+ year old vines in the certified organic Arete Vineyard, Columbia Valley AVA, that rests on sand and silt overlying gravel. They were fermented in a combination of wooden casks and concrete and spent five months on fine lees. Honey, lime peel, beeswax, green apple and a touch of apricot open before enlivening acidity highlights pure and crisp apple, lime, pie crust, quince, chamomile and pear. Delightful now and should develop, deepen, and elaborate with further time in bottle.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2023
Sardinia, ItalyThis respected estate, located on the island of Sardinia, focuses on native varieties. The vermentino comes from cool, hillside vineyards situated 190 meters above the Mediterranean. The wine has a floral aroma with hints of lemon and ginger. It features bitter quince and ripe stone fruit, balanced by a sweet tangerine finish. This wine pairs well with seafood dishes, including squid, crab, clams, and mussels. Start the party.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Barone di Valforte Pecorino 2023
Abruzzo, ItalyForget the cheese, this wine derives its name from the Italian word for sheep, Pecora, which graze on the golden grapes. The wine's intoxicating aromas blend wild honey and citrus with a delicious mix of almonds and pears undercut by a stony mineral base and some Mediterranean wild herbs. In BC, this is a terrific mussels wine, or you could serve it with a piece of aged pecorino cheese or roasted turkey.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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12 June 2025
86PTS
Riverview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaHerbal and grassy, with ample tart lemongrass, greengage, melon, and lemony sherbet on the finish, this is a simple, clean, and crisp local wine to crack into now.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Henry of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFrom Niagara's silty clays and vineyards dating back to 1999, this sauvignon blanc was pressed without O2 and fermented cool in stainless where it remained until bottling. Bright gooseberry, melon, and tangerine glide along the silken palate, dusted with stony spice. Friendly and accessible, and a nice fresh local option.Prices:| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Clos du Soleil Washington Series Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesExpect green apple and grapefruit, with a palate featuring citrus and guava, accompanied by a creamy texture that persists throughout the finish. Dry and fresh, it pairs well with clams, oysters, or Brie. Clos du Soleil winemaker Michael Clark sourced his Sauvignon Blanc fruit from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA, aligning it with the Similkameen style. The grapes were harvested by hand at peak ripeness and shipped to Clos du Soleil. The fruit was lightly crushed and received four hours of skin contact under dry ice before being pressed, lightly settled, and fermented in stainless steel tanks and French oak puncheons. The wine is aged on its lees, with weekly lees stirring for 5 months before bottling.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Trésors de Loire Touraine Sauvignon 2022
Touraine, Loire, FranceThis simple, easy Touraine sauvignon streams lemon, gooseberry, crunchy pear, along a bright, brief frame, finishing with some stony spice. Subtle.Prices:| ON | $17.35 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Anthony Buchanan Wines Sauvignon Blanc Pacific Northwest 2024
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis is part of the winery's Pacific Northwest Series. The grapes for this 100% sauvignon blanc wine were sourced from the Airfield Estate, in Rattlesnake Mountain, Yakima Valley AVA. They were fermented in 60% stainless and 40% third fill French oak barrels and left for five months on the lees. On the pour, a rich lemon colour brings ripe lemon, chamomile, grapefruit, and pear drops along with melon rind. The texture is soft and rounded, showing very ripe pear, melon, ripe lemon, mango, with tropicals and tangerine essences going into the clean, balanced finish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc Grown in Washington State 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesGrapes were sourced from Andrews Family Vineyards in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA. After a 3 hour cold soak, this was pressed to tank and later fermented at the winery, some in neutral French oak and the rest in stainless. The different treatments sought to preserve the fresh, herbal character while integrating the tropical side. This begins with distinct lighter rounded notes of lemon, grapefruit, wet wool, and melon. All are confirmed on the taste, showing green melon, lemon oil, ripe ruby grapefruit, and a citrusy finish. The blended flavours shift seamlessly to the ending. If you are used to the New Zealand realm of sauvignon blanc, here is a less confrontational version featuring acidity that upholds the fruit without trying to grab the limelight.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesTypical sauvignon gooseberry and grassiness here with a zesty acidity. The finish shows crisp apple and citrusy lemon. Would have liked to see a bit more balancing fruit intensity but still a lively crisp sauvignon to match with seafood, especially fresh oysters.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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10 June 2025
89PTS
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse Grown in Washington State 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesA blend of 41% pinot gris, 39% riesling, and 20% viognier sourced from the Sustainable WA certified Andrews Family Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Washington State. A few hours of skin contact during the winemaking contributes to a smooth intensity in the flavours. Plush, yet precise, there's a sluice of lemon, chamomille, melon, white peach, Asian pear and tropical notes. It finishes with a touch of spiciness in the lingering ending and the balanced acidity is pinpoint. Delightful stuff.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine White 2024
Columbia Valley, Oregon, United StatesMade in Oliver, BC with grapes from the Columbia Valley AVA, in Washington. The vineyards involved were mainly from cooler high elevation sites with rocky, silty loam and a Southern aspect. Night harvested, destemmed, crushed, and pressed immediately into stainless steel tanks, the blend here is 46% riesling, 28% sauvignon blanc, and 26% chardonnay. Smooth, clean, rounded melon, lemon, petrol, stone fruit, and a hint of celery, this is straightforward with a grapefruit and gooseberry tinged acidity in the finish that lingers pleasantly. A well priced patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Autumn Gold Cascadia 2024
United StatesAutumn Gold has always been an off dry aromatic blend of South Okanagan gewürztraminer, riesling, and pinot blanc. In 2024, its Washington-Oregon blend has delivered a replacement wine that is nearly identical to its BC version. Perfumed and ripe, it is awash in rose petals and litchi with a dusting of honeysuckle. It's an orchard fruit salad. I suggest serving it with spicy vegetarian tacos, similar styled sushi rolls, or Thai noodle dishes. It is ready to drink, well chilled on the patio.Prices:| BC | $23.10 | 750ml |
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87PTS
River Stone Splash Good Neighbours Series 2024
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe Good Neighbours series with Washington growers aligns with River Stone’s fruit forward style. The grapes for ’24 Splash are sourced from two AVAs in Washington State: Horse Heaven Hills and the Columbia Valley. The blend consists of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and chenin blanc, and the mouth filling, ripe fruit salad, tropical flavours persist throughout the wine, with just enough acidity to keep the finish clean. A wine for spicy food, or serve it solo, well chilled on the patio.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blasted Church Small Blessings Hell Froze Over 2024
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhen Mother Nature gave Blasted Church lemons and all but wiped out the 2024 harvest, the winery collectively made lemonade. Everyone from the office, tasting room, winery, and vineyard worked together to salvage what little fruit was left hanging in the vineyard. In the cellar, it was whole cluster pressed, cold settled, and racked into neutral French oak and stainless steel barrels for fermentation and aging. Six months later, they bottled the entire unique experience under one label to remind the team of the challenging year and to serve as a symbol of resilience as the Blasted Church vineyards' return to full production. A minuscule 60 cases were made. Expect a fresh fruit salad affair with a smooth, almost weighty mid-palate and fresh finish. The winery recommends serving it with fish tacos, buttery cheeses, Thai curries, and roasted chicken. The final blend was 47% viognier, 14% blaufränkisch, 11% gewürztraminer, 11% pinot gris, 9% sauvignon blanc, and 8% riesling.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse Grown in Washington State 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe ’24 Hatfield’s Fuse is a blend of 41% pinot gris, 39% riesling, and 20% viognier from the certified sustainable Andrews Family Vineyards in Washington State's Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This is another fruit salad white, ripe and just off-dry, that is also fresh, thanks to an acidity that helps it stand out above the level of the field. The mix includes melons and pears, with a citrus undercurrent that runs through the wine. Best with spicy sushi tuna rolls, spicy chicken wings, or a Thai noodle dish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
I'm Your Organic White 2024
SpainThe name says it all. A straight-up fresh, clean, unfettered white wine from central Spain made with organically grown grapes. The nose is a white flower and citrus affair with bright acidity and a clean, mineral, lemon lime palate and bone dry finish. It is a perfect summer wine for shellfish, fish tacos, or a piece of soft cheese. The blend is classic viura and sauvignon blanc from 12 to 15 year old head pruned bush vines. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Raimat Albarino Chardonnay 2023
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThis is a subtle Albariño, featuring fresh aromatics that blend tropical fruits, white flowers, and grapefruit. On the palate, the texture is creamy, with citrus and melon, and a hint of lime rind at the finish. This is a solid summer sipping wine, ideal for seafood appetizers or BC shellfish. A bottle that will appeal to discerning wine drinkers.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine White 2024
Columbia Valley, Oregon, United StatesBartier Bros. Pristine labels are replacement wines for the vineyard damage that significantly impacted the 2024 harvest in their vineyards. Pristine White originates from Washington State’s Columbia Valley AVA. It is an aromatic blend of 46% Riesling, 28% Sauvignon Blanc, and 26% Chardonnay that was harvested at night, destemmed, and crushed on site before being transported north to Bartier Bros. Bartier employed his usual minimal intervention approach to present a wine that is fresh, clean, and free from excessive management. The nose features a fragrant blend of grapefruit, tangerine, gooseberry, and citrus pith, which carries through to a palate of similar flavours with a clean, fresh finish. It is an ideal summer wine that pairs well with shellfish, spot prawns, oysters, and crab in British Columbia. Additionally, the price is highly attractive.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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06 June 2025
92PTS
Phantom Creek Estates Kobau Vineyard Cuvée 2020
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI have tasted this wine several times, and with each passing year, it continues to improve. The PC Cuvée originates from Kobau Vineyard, situated along the west side of the Okanagan Valley's Golden Mile Bench. This vineyard predominantly faces south, benefiting from the gentle morning sun and is shielded from the intense afternoon heat. The wine exhibits a pleasing combination of savoury black fruit, complemented by desert sagebrush, spice, and an abundance of French oak. Rich, warm, and opulent, the palate reveals brambleberries, dark plums, cedar, and hints of new oak, all enhanced by a touch of freshness from avoiding the late-day sun. This wine can be easily enjoyed through 2030. The mix is 30% cabernet sauvignon, 28% cabernet franc, 27% merlot, and 15% syrah, all aged for 21 months in French oak, with 50% of the barrels being new.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Le Volte dell' Ornellaia 2022
Tuscany, ItalyLe Volte dell'Ornellaia is designed for earlier consumption compared to the flagship Ornellaia due to its softer tannins and brighter fruit. The 2022 blend comprises 51% cabernet Sauvignon, 44% merlot, and 5% petit verdot, with an alcohol content of 13.0%. It has floral and light toast aromas and a palate that includes blackberries, red plums, dried herbs, and black olives. This wine can be consumed now or stored for future use. The 2022 vintage began cool and dry, resulting in a delayed bud break, followed by 75 consecutive days without rain. Although the crop was smaller, late summer rains and a dry fall contributed to a quality harvest. After fermentation, the wine ages for 10 months in both old Ornellaia barriques and concrete tanks.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $41.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.62 | 750ml |
| NS | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Otter Trail Winery Show Jumper Reserve Rouge 2022
CanadaThis red wine, crafted from a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, presents a pleasant yet somewhat rustic profile. It begins with subtle hints of sagebrush and herbs and progresses to a dry palate featuring pronounced black cherry and earth, leading to a long, dry finish. Best served with grilled beef at the moment.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRetasted recently, confirming it as the premier Oculus to date. Since 1997, Oculus has consistently surpassed most BC reds. The 2020 release excels with a blend of refreshing red fruit, rich dark fruit, and well-managed tannins. The composition is merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. Carefully grown in the vineyard, optically sorted, and fermented in French oak and concrete fermenters, this wine spends 19 months in French oak barrels and two years in bottles before release. Made of 90% Osoyoos and 10% Black Sage Oliver fruit, it is the finest young Oculus I've tasted and will no doubt improve through 2035 and beyond. An excellent growing season in the Okanagan contributes to this exceptional wine, one for the cellar.Prices:| BC | $225.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +2110 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 vintage celebrates Portfolio's 20th anniversary. It has a fragrant nose similar to Napa reds, with black cherry, cocoa powder, cedar, pipe tobacco, and sweet oak on the palate. The wine features good structure and texture, and is surprisingly drinkable despite its youth. Best enjoyed after 2024, the blend consists of 51% merlot, 29% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 6% malbec, and 4% petit verdot. The tannins and spices suggest it will benefit from further bottle aging, making this an excellent investment.Prices:| BC | $53.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $109.99 | 1500ml |
| BC | $219.00 | 3000ml |
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90PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +0810 2019
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2019 starts with tobacco, while the palate shows dark cherry, dried herbs, tobacco, cigar box, and cassis. It is full bodied but balanced, allowing it to be aged or consumed now with beef. The blend includes 49% merlot, 31% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 5% malbec, and 2% petit verdot. Double sorting tables ensure that only highest quality fruit is used for whole berry fermentation in stainless steel and oak. The wine spends 20 months in French oak barrels, 41% new French oak (20% puncheons) and 59% second fill French oak.Prices:| BC | $53.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $109.99 | 1500ml |
| BC | $219.00 | 3000ml |
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91PTS
Hillside Mosaic 2018
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe just released 2018, like its predecessor, comes with 7 years of age at the winery. The ’18 blend is entirely Naramata, but it is a departure from the usual. Typically, merlot leads the band, but in 2018, for the first time, it is a malbec that leads at 35%, followed by a 29/16/13/7 mix of merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot. The tannins are well along in the aging process, bringing a dense, chalky texture to the mid-palate, and a silky finish. Again, it is more Bordeaux than Napa. It spent 21 months in French oak, of which 43% was new. The malbec has leaned out the mid-palate, which will please some and disappoint others, but all in all, it follows the lead of the last decade, which has given us a Naramata red with dignity and class that is long on grace and style. Ready to drink at the table.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Black Hills Nota Bene 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2023 Nota Bene concludes a series of releases spanning 25 years. Vineyard damage prompted former general manager and chief winemaker Ross Wyse to remove the vines and begin anew, while current winemaker Ryan McKibbon, who joined before the '22 harvest, has been managing the cellars and will prepare for future releases. The '23 vintage is a blend of 37/35/28 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc. Wyse refined Nota Bene by enhancing its characteristics while reducing some of the greenness, changing the oak regime, and tweaking the vineyard management. Today, the wine undergoes wild fermentation in French puncheons but is aged in a mix of smaller French oak barriques and puncheons for a year and a half. Only 41% of the wine is exposed to new oak. While the ’22 vintage sets a high standard, 2023 aims to meet expectations, presenting Black Sage Bench dry, savoury notes and a mid-palate with black and ripe red fruit and atouch of smoke in the finish. The tannin is dense and expected to integrate into the wine over time.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Orofino Beleza 2021
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBeleza is the flagship red at Orofino, made with fruit from the Home Vineyard and the nearby Hendsbee Vineyard owned by Cheryl and Lee Hendsbee. The Similkameen style is part wild, part mineral, and part complexity; all rolled into one. The '21 Beleza is as rich and intense as it gets, with big black fruit aromas and flavours, some smoky oak and a raft of spice that runs deep through the wine. The tannins are equally fierce, although not overly dry, and are likely connected to a rare heat dome that persisted in the region for several weeks. The blend is 60% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot and 10% cabernet franc. Technically, it is hand-harvested and lightly crushed into one-ton open-top fermenters, where the cap is hand-punched down twice a day until the end of fermentation. From there, it runs straight to new and older French barriques. Each varietal lot is kept separate and then aged carefully for 20 months before blending, racking, and bottling—only the finest barrels make the cut.Prices:| BC | $38.95 | 750ml |
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05 June 2025
89PTS
Clos du Soleil Washington Series Rosé 2024
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe Washington Series label is how Clos du Soleil chose to differentiate their Crafted in BC (CIBC) wines from the 2024 vintage. For this rosé the sangiovese fruit came off Airport Ranch Estates, in Washington's Yakima Valley AVA. The destemmed fruit was destemmed and lightly crushed and pressed on site, followed by a cool fermentation in stainless, in the absence of O2. It remained in stainless until bottling. Pouring a spring salmon hue, this streams wild strawberry, raspberry, tangerine along a sleek palate, finishing with raft of spicing and salinity. An elegant sangiovese rosé, which isn't usually the case.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
JoieFarm Rose Pacific Northwest Edition 2024
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesThe Pacific Northwest Edition label is how JoieFarm chose to differentiate their Crafted in BC (CIBC) wines from the 2024 vintage. From Lodi's Victor Vineyard, this was early picked, settled and fermented in stainless. Perfumed and tight strawberry, raspberry glides along a sleek, silken palate, with tangerine pith and peel finishing the dry finish. Very much in the joyous JoieFarm style, and really to crack into now.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos du Soleil Washington Series Rosé 2024
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesMade from Sangiovese sourced from Yakima Valley, this rosé is light, restrained and lip-smacking, true to the rosé style we've come to expect from the winery. It shows lean, tart red berries, rhubarb, pink grapefruit, and a herbal accent on a brisk, lightly effervescent frame. I'm a big fan of what Clos du Soleil has done with the label. Boldly, unapologetically transparent, and it looks great, too.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mayhem Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis is a cut above the competition. It's fun and quaffable, bright, crisp, and well-balanced, with pure, juicy red berry. But what really elevates it for me is the texture, benefiting from aging in 21% seasoned puncheons. That's more care than your average $20 rosé, and the wine shows it. Fantastic value and another winner from Mayhem and winemaker Ajay Chavan.Prices:| BC | $21.83 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Solvero Rosé 2024
Chehalem Mountain , Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesAllison Moyes is the winemaker at Solvero in Garnett Valley, Upper Summerland, BC. In 2024, after a freeze damaged her vines, she decided to travel to Oregon to make her rosé. The pale salmon pink wine has fragrant rosé petals with cranberry, cherry aromas and a hint of pepper, and its dry profile and perfect acidity make it ideal for summer and various dishes. Moyes selected an exceptional vineyard block in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, farmed to her specifications. She supervised the harvest and pressing. The juice was chilled to 4°C, transported back to Garnet Valley, and cool-fermented in 75% stainless steel and 25% neutral barrels before blending and bottling in mid-February.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paul Mas Côté Mas Rosé Aurore 2024
Sud de France, FranceI just tasted the 2023 earlier in the month, but that vintage is on its way out, so here's a look at the latest Côte Mas Rosé. It's a year younger and fresher, but essentially, the same wine. This humble rosé, made by Jean-Claude Mas, is rare in maintaining its value for money pricing while improving in quality over the years. The litre bottle of juicy, fruity rosé has a pale pink colour with strawberry and raspberry, making it the ideal party wine, especially for a summer patio setting. The grenache, cinsault, and syrah blend delivers what Jean-Claude calls "Le Luxe Rural." It's an excellent value that turns any patio into a luxurious country setting.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 1000ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 1000ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 1000ml |
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87PTS
Foreign Affair Amarosé 2024
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis pinot noir rosé pours a glowing peach hue, and leads with a peppery red currant note that seasons the candy apple, juicy orange on the palate. The end is brief and snappy, with a tangerine twist. Easy, fun pink to enjoy this summer.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Featherstone Rosé 2024
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis deeper hued, off-dry rosé blends cabernet franc, gamay and merlot from their Vineland estate. Candy apple, strawberry/rhubarb coulis, orange fills a juicy, off-dry palate, with a snappy orange twist on the finish. Easy, fun, and ready to crack into this summer.Prices:| ON | $17.15 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kacaba Rebecca Rosé 2023
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis deeper blush hued rosé is gamay, fermented cool in stainless after 12 hours of cold soaking on skins. Juicy and bright, with candied strawberry, cherry, and red currants on a medium bodied palate, with some baking spice to finish. A friendly, fun rosé to crack into this summer.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Megalomaniac Pink Slip Rosé 2024
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaPouring a deeper pink hue, this pinot noir from the Niagara Peninsula was fermented and briefly rested in stainless. Leading with candy apple, candy necklace, mandarin, and soft spice, this fills a lees-led palate to a brief finish. Simple and friendly, chill well and enjoy this summer.Prices:| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Spec Bros Three of Hearts Rosé 2024
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFrom the Speck Bros, this is whole cluster pinot noir from Niagara Peninsula, pouring a delicate pink hue. Perfumed strawberries, cherries, and fragrant rosewater glide along the silken, dryish palate, finishing with an orange twist and kiss of spice. Smart and stylish, and great value.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bodegas Sinforiano SINFO Rosado 2024
Cigales, Castilla-Leon, SpainThis clarete is a style traditionally produced in northern Spain's Cigales, with the coferment of red and white grapes together on skins yielding this light red / deep rosé wine. SINFO is the flagship wine of Bodegas Sinforiano. Free run juice from the coferment of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Verdejo, and 10% Albillo makes up the blend, fermented and aged briefly in stainless. Juicy and bright, shining with cranberry, ripe strawberry, mandarin on a sleek, silken palate, with a light dusting of stony spice for intrigue. Fun and friendly, enjoy on a sunny patio with bites.Prices:| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tantalus Rosé Looney Vineyard Oregon 2024
Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe pinot noir fruit was source from the Looney Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge AVA Oregon from a parcel that the winemaker David Paterson had worked in earlier in his career. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and the juice fermented in a combination of stainless steel and older Pinot Noir barriques and then rested on the fermentation lees for 3 months. This begins with elegant notes of roses, cranberry, pin cherry, as well as delicate sweet spice. The palate is a gossamer version of pinot noir showing lightly textured soprano red fruits, held in a masterful balance as subtle as Champagne. The fruit intensity and style lies somewhere perhaps between Provence and Tavel. Outstanding.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
1 Mill Road Grenache Rosé 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesSourced from the Coyote Canyon Vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this grenache rosé was fermented primarily in stainless steel with 26% aged in neutral French oak on lees for four months. Partial malolactic fermentation was also utilized to refine and soften the mouthfeel. On the pour it tends towards a lighter Provence colour. At first, airy hibiscus, rosehip, grapefruit, hint of bread crust and strawberry lead to a subtle, precise, and finely textured palate, with grapefruit entwined with rosehip tea, hibiscus, and cranberry, and a tincture of grenache in the finish. More than just a sipper.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blasted Church Rosé Grenache Grown in Washington 2024
Washington, United StatesThe grenache was sourced from the certified sustainable Andrews Family Vineyards based on silty loam over fractured basalt. After a two hour cold soak, the juice was pressed to tank and trucked to the winery's Skaha Lake cellar and fermented in neutral French oak barrels. Distinct, savoury red grape skin notes add interest to fresh berry. Rounded, creamy raspberry and cranberry blend with a lovely grenache presence in the mid-palate. There's a very deft balance and acidity that underpins but does not intrude on the flavours. Refined, precise, balanced work on show here from winemaker Evan Saunders.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesMainly light cherry, rose hip and watermelon. a small back current of red skinned savoriness creates some fine tension with the easy, juicy, rosé elements. Slightly off dry, with clear flavours, an appropriate acidity provides excellent balance. The cabernet sauvignon character makes a fleeting cameo in the drifting finish. Well crafted.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesGrown in the Columbia Valley AVA and vinified in in Oliver, BC, the grapes were night harvested and pressed immediately to ferment in stainless steel tanks. A straightforward easy and crisp rosé for the patio or the beach. The aromas and rounded flavours are of watermelon, rose hip and cranberry tea, with a touch of grapefruit on the finish. The flavours are clear, and the acidity bright. The grapes involved are a blend of red and white. Simple, slightly off dry, light, easy, well balanced. Don't overthink it, just enjoy. Very well priced.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mayhem Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe '24 rosé comes from Gearheart Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington State. This merlot aged for 4 months in 79% stainless steel and 21% seasoned puncheons. Winemaker Ajay Chavan has done a terrific job with this juicy pink, a mix of wild strawberries and cranberries that stays the Mayhem course of long on fun and drinkability. Stock up, this is a winner.Prices:| BC | $21.83 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Black Market Collusion Series Cinsault Rosé 2024
Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRob Hammersley, winemaker and viticulturist at Black Market Wine Company, chose the Provence-style replacement wine route, making a Washington cinsault from Coyote Canyon Vineyard, from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. It only took 45 minutes to machine harvest the selection, and within an hour, the grapes were destemmed and resting in cold storage. Pressed after six hours of skin contact, it was all it needed for the perfect shade of barely pink. Expect a crisp, dry rosé with a vibrant orange, pomegranate palate with a hint of juicy pink grapefruit. Even the most discerning rosé fans will be shocked by the quality of this label.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Seven Directions Cuvée Rosé 2024
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSeven Directions is an exclusive rosé wine house dedicated to crafting vineyard and varietal-designated wines that tell the story of their origin. In 2024, winemaker Daniel Bontorin looked south to the Fraser Valley in the Lower Mainland to make his rosé after a nasty winter in the Okanagan and the Similkameen. The small vineyard in the Fraser Valley was farmed, and the wine was made with little intervention to preserve purity and character. It is a blend of pinot noir, gamay, pinot gris, and gewürztraminer, which is lively in the glass, albeit somewhat muddled. It was fermented in stainless steel with extensive lees stirring for texture and complexity. In the glass, it is translucent with an intense pear, and what they term a steeped tea factor. The finish is lively with some final cranberry and cherry. There are numerous edges here, so I will revisit this wine in late summer and pair it with food to see how it's evolving.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Borsao Rosé Seleccion 2023
Campo de Borja, Aragon, SpainBorsao is always about value. In fact, Robert Parker used to claim it was one of the best value wineries in Spain for years. This Garnacha rosé is sourced from 10 to 25 year old vineyards situated on clay-limestone and stony loamy soils. After a few hours of cold maceration, the wine is bled off with a translucent pink colour and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The result is an appealing see through orange colour with fruity notes and a palate of strawberry and refreshing acidity. Ready to drink all summer at a great price.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.40 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Rosé Below the Road 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is beginning to fade, nearly two years since HJ originally reviewed it. The fruit has started to shift to the background, and the palate has softened, losing some of its original vibrancy. If you have any bottles left, drink up with your grilled salmon this summer.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
JoieFarm Rose Pacific Northwest Edition 2024
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesJoie presents another winner crafted entirely from pinot noir sourced from Victor Vineyards in Lodi, California. This wine is delicately balanced and highly aromatic, featuring an initial burst of wild strawberries followed by citrus. The palate reveals juicy grapefruit, complemented by lemon zest and a hint of dried herbs. The textures are creamy, the acidity is vibrant, and the finish is clean. With a sugar content of 1.4 grams per kilogram, it is essentially dry and ready to pair with most summer fare.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Free Form Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt always catches your eye when the current release for a rosé isn't the most recent vintage, or maybe even the one before. If anything, that shows the preconceived notions and biases we have for rosé. Five years on, from the fantastic 2020 vintage, this isn't bright, crisp, and lively. But the wine's all the better for it. I love the savoury, sanguine quality, still layered with rich red berry and rose-like florals. There's real depth and interest here. Far from being tired, this is just hitting its peak. If you like more savoury-styled rosés, whether from Rioja or elsewhere, this is more than a worthwhile discovery.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Rosé 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhat can I say? This wine is as good as it was when tasted last year, if not better. The MHFE Reserve Rosé originates from southern estate vineyards in Osoyoos and Oliver. In 2022, it has a clean, crisp, fresh, and bright profile. It features a blend of red fruit, including watermelon, strawberry, and rhubarb, with subtle sweetness and no detectable sugar. The wine is primarily aged in stainless steel, with 7% placed in neutral French oak to contribute to a creamy and texturally appealing palate. Suitable for pairing with prawns, crab cakes, olives, and more, this style of rosé is easily comparable to those produced in Provence.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Roche Artist Series Rosé 2024
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Roche 2024 Pinot Noir Rosé comes out of Russell's Winter's Hill Estate Vineyard in Dundee, Oregon. It departs from the typical Roche offering based on zweigelt, hence its slightly darker colour. It should be no surprise that the styling is French from its understated nose to its cherry, berry savoury palate that finishes balanced and dry. This pink will match many things, but it is also built for the dinner table with enough intensity and flavour to take on turkey or salmon. More please. As part of Roche's Artist Series, the labels were created in collaboration with Canadian artist Andrea Soos.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca Flichman Rosé 2023
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFun and easy, albeit slightly evolved, this pale coloured rosé shows muddled red berries and white peach on a soft frame that can easily hold up to an ice cube or two. Enjoy well chilled poolside this summer. No pairing required.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Crossroads Collection Rosé 2024
Washington, United StatesThree Sisters hit the nail on the head with this tasty little rosé from a single vineyard in the White Bluffs AVA in Washington. This syrah has a hint of residual sugar, which gives it a smooth, sweet entry with plenty of strawberry and orange and a million dollar shade of orange. Juicy, bright, and ready for a party with spicy bites. I like spicy tacos or a spicy sushi tuna roll for a match. I would love to see a BC version of this with higher acidity.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Niepoort NAT'Cool Rosé NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalNAT’Cool is Dirk Niepoort's line of wines that are low-intervention, low-alcohol, available only in a 1L format, affordable, and highly smashable. Showcasing their embossed NAT'Cool! bottles, this rosé is a mixed field blend from the Douro, as well as a mix of recent vintages. The new NV format sports a new front label as well (lacking the sweet hearts of 2020 vintage). In fact, there is nothing save for a super tiny "rosé" on the back of this green glassed bottle to even indicate this is a pink wine. Pouring a blushing peach hue, this medium bodied rosé streams crushed florals, dried roses, and spices along the lees-slicked palate, finishing with a dusting of toasted spice. Feels bigger than its 11.5% frame.Prices:| ON | $33.00 | 1000ml |
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89PTS
Weingut Heinrich Naked Rosé 2022
Burgenland, Weinland Österreich, AustriaBiodynamic Burgunland winemaker Heinrich is using blaufrankisch to make this unadorned (naked) rosé. Grown on limestone and schist, it spent a few hours on skins to impart the glowing peach hue. It was then native fermented in large old oak casks and amphora until it was bottled unfiltered and without SO2. Cranberry, mandarin, and tart crabapple flood the slight palate, gently rinsed with tea tannins and finishing with a tart rhubarb snap. This is a crunchy, bright, biodynamic rosé to well suit apero hour.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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04 June 2025
90PTS
Blasted Church Viognier 2024
Canada - USA, CanadaThe viognier is a blend of white grapes from both sides of the border with viognier from the Andrews Family Vineyards in Washington (64%) and the Red Brick Vineyard in Osoyoos (21%), along with Marsanne (15%), also from the Redbrick Vineyard. Fermentation and cellaring occurred in a combination of French oak and stainless steel. Initially, it offers Crenshaw melon, spring flowers, honey, light pineapple, roasted parsnip, and apple skin. In the glass, lush, very balanced flavours of mango, melon, stone fruit, marmalade and tangerine, end with plenty of length in the finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Noble Ridge Vilicus Viognier 2024
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesA lighter, fresher viognier, at least for the variety, this shows a combination of lemon and just ripe peach, lifted by acacia blossoms. It's a patio-friendly take, clean, crisp, and correct, that's ready to enjoy well chilled. The fruit was sourced from Goose Gap in Washington's Yakima Valley.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blasted Church Viognier 2024
Canada - USA, CanadaThis cross-border blend is sourced from Andrews Family Vineyard in Washington (64%) and just over the border in Osoyoos, from Red Brick Vineyard, with 15% marsanne for good measure. It's a ripe, generous style of viognier that reflects the warmth of both sites, offering canned peaches, perfumed white blossoms, and a textured lees accent. While the palate is broad and rich, the acidity is still crisp, keeping the ripeness in check. A varietally expressive viognier that doesn't break the bank. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Paul Mas Viognier 2023
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe Paul Mas Viognier originates in Languedoc, France, a region known for the concept of "Luxe Rural," or rural luxury. The wine style is influenced by the warmth of the south, offering aromas of ripe apricots and peaches with a hint of florals. On the palate, it presents rich stone fruits complemented by hints of honeysuckle and spice. It is a versatile table wine that pairs well with grilled shrimp, roast chicken, vegetarian stir-fries, mild curries, or soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Township 7 Benchmark Series Viognier 2023
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere's no shortage of fruit ripeness here, reflecting both the 2023 vintage and Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos. Expect a combination of honeyed pear, apricot, and mango, lifted by dried honeysuckle and ginger spice. Rich, creamy, and textured, it's broadened by time in neutral oak, with a touch of bitterness to the soft finish. Enjoy this summer with poached lobster, or keep it simple with grilled ripe peaches.Prices:| BC | $30.97 | 750ml |
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02 June 2025
90PTS
BLK + BLU Blend No 4 Shiraz Cabernet Shiraz 2023
Heathcote, Victoria, AustraliaThe BLK + Blu is nearly opaque in colour. The nose presents a subtle aromatic blend of raspberries and cherry cough candy. On the palate, it reveals black raspberry and blueberries, accompanied by a hint of oak, spice, and mint. It is well balanced and, although young, you can enjoy this winner with a variety of barbecued dishes all summer. The grape composition consists of 54% shiraz and 46% cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $29.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $39.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz The Signature Kevin Glastonbury and Ron Nettelbeck 2019
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe 2019 vintage features a blend of 52% cabernet sauvignon and 48% shiraz. It has a dark red colour, with floral notes and eucalyptus. On the palate, it presents intense blackberry and black plum, along with licorice, and has a long finish characterized by tannins. This blend is noted for its refinement. That said, I would lay this wine away for three to five more years before opening it. Each vintage of The Signature acknowledges an individual who has contributed significantly to the culture and traditions of Yalumba. In 2019, two individuals were recognized: winemaker Kevin Glastonbury, and chief viticulturist Robin Nettelbeck. The cabernet sauvignon and shiraz used in this wine come from Barossa vineyards, some of which date back to 1925. The wine is aged for 19 months, with 25% in new French barriques and Hungarian hogsheads, while the remainder is matured in older French and Hungarian barriques and hogsheads.Prices:| BC | $179.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz The Signature Museum Release Chris Greening 2014
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThis is a blend of 57% cabernet sauvignon and 43% shiraz from Barossa, with the parcels averaging 60 years of age and dating as far back as 1925. This museum release shows the wine at its peak, at least to this palate, leaning into complex, tertiary notes from bottle age, yet still backed by retained fruit and suave, resolved tannins. 2014 was a cooler vintage, and you can feel that here, with a balanced freshness to the wine that is more medium bodied than full. There's something decidedly classic about it, very much in Yalumba’s characteristic style. It's remarkable value for what’s in the bottle, almost in a class of its own.Prices:| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $75.00 | 750ml |
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