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Tastings: February 2025
21 February 2025
88PTS
Famille Perrin Ventoux Rosé 2023
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Perrin Ventoux Rosé comes with an almost colourless hue of pinkish orange that draws you to the glass. The palate is as light as the colour, with a hint of red fruit, a dash of blood orange, and bright acidity. It reflects their winemaking focus on finesse for elegant, fruity, low alcohol wines. The vines are situated on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, where the air is fresher and much cooler than down on the plain. The blend is a mix of cinsault, grenache, and syrah. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.60 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.20 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mantra Lokah Rosé 2023
SpainThis is simple, straight up, organic, ready to drink rosé with refreshing red berries and bitter orange, with a touch of minerality underneath. The blend is garnacha and monastrell, giving it a both a juicy and full flavoured palate suited to large parties and tight budgets.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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20 February 2025
91PTS
Deliboro Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
Veneto, ItalyThe Delibori estate vineyards in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico, namely the villages of Marano, Negrar, Fumane, Sant'Ambrogio, and San Pietro In Cariano, are home to the grapes in this wine. The style is open and inviting, with rich, rounded fruit and soft, easy sipping tannins. It is an Amarone you can drink now or over the next five years. Wild berries and chocolate dominate. This could be it if you are looking for an elegant Amarone style. The grapes dry for 80 to 100 days, producing low yields and concentrated sugar. Like most of its peers, it spends a commensurate amount of time in large Slavonian oak, giving it a mouth filling richness that speaks to Amarone’s heritage.Prices:| BC | $57.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2019
Veneto, ItalyThe colour is opaque purple, and the nose is a mix of black cherry and wild strawberry balanced by a freshness of acidity, medium-weight drying tannins, and spicy but subtle oak. The wine ages effortlessly and need not be touched until 2029. The Italians do a great job of pairing this style of wine with duck, wild game, or a rare beef burger or steak. The Tommasi flagship Amarone is a trip back in time but with an updated engine. The handpicked grapes undergo extensive drying for up to 90 days to intensify flavours, followed by a month of stainless steel fermentation using wild yeast before aging for 36 months in full and half size Slavonian oak barrels. The grape mix is corvina veronese 50%, rondinella 30%, corvinone 15% and oseleta 5%. The fruit comes from two areas in the Classico zone: one is mostly limestone; the other is a mix of clay and limestone. Both are subjected to cool breezes off Lake Garda.Prices:| BC | $70.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tommasi Arele 2020
Veneto, ItalyArele is a wine that combines local and international grape varieties through the appassimento process before fermentation. Arele is the Italian name for the wooden and bamboo racks on which some 35% of the grapes (corvina, rondinella, oseleta, and merlot) selected from hillside vineyards are left to dry for 45 days. The colour is medium dark, and the nose is a mix of red fruits, baked plums, black olives, chocolate, and spice. A solid mid-week pizza red that speaks the Veneto.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Prisoner Red Wine 2021
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Prisoner is the most recognized Napa Valley red blend, proving again that consumers love a name they can remember because we all know they can never recall that traditional producer / varietal label they enjoyed last night. The Prisoner takes no prisoners at 15.5% alcohol, but if you love big, rich, spicy, soft red wines that pack a punch, this is the one for you. The blend is a mix of zinfandel cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, syrah, and charbono, supposedly inspired by the field blends planted last century by early Italian immigrants. Expect a rich, dark, super, ripe red with baked cherries, raisins, prunes, and figs and a long, warm, black fruit finish pitching blueberry and blackberry pie filling. It is best served with spicy sauced beef ribs.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $29.72 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Unico Zelo Fresh A.F. 2023
AustraliaHusband and wife duo Brendan and Laura Carter started Unico Zelo in 2012 to shine a light on the numerous Italian varieties planted in Oz, now shining in the face of climate change. This blend of nero d'avola and zibibbo comes from sites in Riverland and Adelaide Hills, and a mix of sandy limestone and quartz studded clays. Sunripened plum, baked wild blueberries, supple leather is lit with fragrant lavender across a slender, toothsome palate. Tannins are supple, and acidity lofted. Reminiscent of southern Italy for sure, but somehow presents firmly Oz.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Unizo Zelo Truffle Hound 2022
AustraliaHusband and wife duo Brendan and Laura Carter started Unico Zelo in 2012 to shine a light on the numerous Italian varieties planted in Oz, now shining in the face of climate change. Truffle Hound blends not just grapes (Barbera, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Merlot) but regions (Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills), on primarily shale over blue slate. All the various parts make for an intriguing, charming red, slender and muscular, with mulberry, wild blueberry, and plum at the fore, and a rush of wild scrubby herbs and dusky spices filling the aft. Tannins are soft and finely grained, and acid is lifted, taking this savoury lighter red through a stony end.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Meãndro do Vale Meão Douro Red 2021
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalIt was a perfect year for grapes, with no significant weather events leading to a 17% increase in production compared to 2020. The ’21 Meãndro Red blend is a 45/38/10/3/2 of touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz, tinta barroca, and alicante bouschet. The winery is a progressive yet classic producer, employing a temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation on fruit that is still trodden by foot for 4 hours in ancient stone lagares before aging in 2-3 year old Allier French oak barriques for 14 months. Douro black, with bright florals and rich, ripe, wild black fruits. There is plenty of intensity in the mineral and savoury black pepper finish. Drink or hold through 2031. The wine gets its name from the giant bend or meander of the Douro River that wraps around the Meão vineyard. This is a relative bargain compared to many wines in this price range.Prices:| BC | $41.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Rolet Arbois Rouge Tradition 2023
Arbois, Jura, FranceFrom vines planted in Arbois and Montigny-lès-Arsures, on red marls, sandstones and gravels, this blends 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Trousseau, and 20% Poulsard. It was destemmed and native fermented without SO2 and 2 week’s maceration before aging 9 months (25% in older barrels). This opens with a lift before swinging into rhubarb, juicy cherry, sapid branch, with finely firm, tea-lined tannins housing. A lovely lighter hand here.Prices:| ON | $41.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2020
Veneto, ItalyThis comes across as a fresher, juicier style of Ripasso. 12-13 days on Amarone skins has added weight and richness to the blend of corvina (70%), rondinella (25%), and corvinone (5%), with an impressively suave, silky palate. There's not a lot of dried fruit character, and arguably this wine is all the better as a result. You can expect ripe red cherry lifted by violets and sweet spices, with a real sense of Valpolicella. Sometimes Ripasso is trying to be something it's not, and that's certainly not the case here.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $31.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Niepoort Charme 2022
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFrom 70-100 year old vines rooted in the schist soils of Vale de Mendiz, this blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and others was fermented whole clusters with stems in granite lagares, finishing off in French barriques where it rests for 18 months. Pouring a lighter crimson hue, this medium (13%) Charme charms with rockrose and fragrant wild plum over a schistous underlay, framed with long, fine, delicate tannins, and lofted with an easy buoyant acidity. Such purity and finesse here, with a delicate touch and layers of complexity, drinking beautifully now and with time in your cellar.Prices:| ON | $109.00 | 750ml |
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17 February 2025
92PTS
Riecine La Gioia Rosso 2020
Tuscany, ItalyRiecine’s organically farmed vineyards (since the 1970s) are in the northern zone of Gaiole, one of the highest quality communes of Chianti Classico. Their vineyards sit between 430 and 600 meters, mostly on very stony alluvial limestone topsoil and limestone bedrock. La Gioia is one of Tuscany’s seminal IGT successes with its inaugural 1982 vintage, designated as a “Vino da Tavola di Toscana”. Today, it is entirely Sangiovese, native fermented in concrete Nomblot tanks with 2 weeks maceration. It rested 30 months in new, second, and third use tonneaux. Tart black cherry, perfumed black raspberry, medicinal kirsch, and crushed stones are woven across the slight, juicy, 13.5% palate, scented with an herbal mushroom savouriness, and framed with long, finely grippy tannins. There's a lovely delicate hand here, allowing the fruit and site to shine long on the palate, finishing with stony salinity.Prices:| BC | $107.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $78.50 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Clos du Soleil Béton Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2022
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBéton, french for concrete, reveals this blends' journey to glass. 52% cabernet sauvignon and 48% cabernet franc was destemmed and native fermented in concrete over 3 weeks before being pressed off and returned to the vessel for aging. Wild black plum, black cherry, and perfumed raspberry are woven on the finely textured, fuller, ferrous palate, wrapped with lightly grippy tannins, and lifted with a wild Similkameen freshness. There's a darker shaded stoniness here which adds to its appeal, finishing with a lingering trail of smoked peppercorns and darts of florals. A great addition to the strong Clos du Soleil lineup.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2021
Tuscany, ItalyBaron Francesco Ricasoli is the 32nd generation family member to live on these Tuscan lands, and caretake the ancient Brolio castle. Francesco is carrying on the dream and on with the vision that his ancestor first began 875 years ago. This Chianti Classico is off various parts of the estate's sandstone, galestro, alberese, clay and silt soils. It was fermented in stainless before 9 months in tonneaux. The 2021 expresses tart cherry, medicinal raspberry, and worked leather across a lean, medium-bodied palate, seasoned with baking spice and framed with sticky tannins. The bitter cherry / espresso finish calls out for food. Pour alongside pasta ragu for best results.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Lamole di Lamole Lareale Chianti Classico Riserva 2019
Greve, Florence, Tuscany, ItalyRestrained and floral, this opens with dried rose petals and lavender, with soft, delicate red cherry and a buzzing undercurrent of stony minerality. It's confidently understated, showing excellent concentration and structure, with firm tannins that will benefit from another 2-3 years in bottle. It's a Chianti Classico that's true to form and excellent value at $36.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico 2021
Tuscany, ItalyArceno has always been a rich red, mixing sangiovese with 15% merlot, but in 2021 with the help of one of the driest vintages in Tuscany in the last century, this wine has an injection of vivacity and freshness that is front and centre. A mild, wet winter provided an optimal growing season. Large diurnal shifts were behind the near perfect vintage, through lower yields and high-quality grapes expressing vibrant, concentrated acidity and powerful tannins. It is Chianti Classico with amazing aromas of tart cherries, strawberries, and violets that pepper a palate of blueberries, cedar, and oranges streaked with white pepper and licorice. There is some tannin to disperse, but this wine is always better with five to seven years of bottle age. Tenuta di Arceno spreads across 1000 hectares of classic rolling hillside containing vineyards, forests, and medieval castles. The vineyards have been replanted and expanded into a series of micro crus relating to the property’s 12 distinct meso climates over the last 20 years, vastly improving the fruit that gets to the winery.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rocca delle Macie Roccato 2020
Tuscany, ItalyHeavy bottle. Historically Roccato has been a Super Tuscan blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon, but has now become 100 percent the latter. This oozes cabernet character, albeit interpreted through a Tuscan lens, with a real sense of both variety and place. Cassis, brambles, and dried herbs are accented by savoury sandalwood, game, and oak spice from aging in barriques. It's surprisingly approachable now, with firm, sinewy tannins that will continue to age gracefully over the next 5-7 years. Beef tagliata would be just about perfect.Prices:| BC | $50.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $41.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Castello di Bolgheri Flocco 2021
Tuscany, ItalyFlocco is another delicious Tuscan red from the amazing 2021 vintage. The nose is a savoury red, blue, and black fruit affair. The texture rich, the flavour ripe, black cherries and the follow up on the palate is everything you could want in a well crafted, complex, spicy red basking in a superior vintage. It’s the balance and silky tannins that draw you into the finish of this quality blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. Harmony and balance are its best attributes, along with a pleasant freshness that enhances its drinkability. Keep your eye on the bottle once it is open because it will disappear quickly.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2021
Tuscany, ItalyA Tuscan blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon (60/40), grown in calcium carbonate-rich tufa soils in Maremma. Fermented in stainless steel vats and matured for a year in 65 hL Slavonian oak casks, it opens with delicate florals, red cherries, and raspberries layered with green leafy herbs and a hint of savoury spices. With a slightly soft and lean palate for these varieties, this medium bodied red offers a mix of sweet and sour fruit framed by somewhat rustic, drying tannins on the palate.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.99 | 750ml |
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14 February 2025
88PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir Zanatta Vineyard 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe Unsworth version of Zanatta pinot noir has arrived. The fruit is sourced from a block within the Zanatta Vineyard, which is home to some of the oldest, unknown pinot noir clones in the Cowichan Valley. This is a streamlined version of pinot, with high acidity and prominent cool, woodsy forest floor. The fruit present is a delicate, almost watery selection of dark plums, cranberries, and unripe cherries, although the fruit character is notably muted. The destemmed whole berries are fermented in stainless steel and aged for 15 months in French oak, of which only 15% is new. This is not a wine for the faint of heart, but if you wish to explore all that pinot can offer, you will want to try this, especially with food.Prices:| BC | $65.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir Unsworth Vineyard 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaAn 1126 degree day growing season yielded little colour to the inaugural Unsworth Vineyard Pinot Noir release, showing a pale, pale red colour. There is no need to fret about the wine. It sits in your mouth with much more texture than it looks like it can deliver. The red fruit is pleasantly ripe, balancing the island's savoury, earthy notes that give this pinot such an authentic signature. The destemmed berries are fermented in stainless steel before spending 16 months in 15% new French oak. The clonal mix is 777 and 115, planted to 2000 acres on a vineyard of marine sediments that sit 80m above sea level, oriented to the southwest.Prices:| BC | $74.90 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir Saison Vineyard 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaUnsworth has been releasing a single vineyard pinot from Saison Vineyards for some time now. The properties of glacial till soils appear to be the magical answer to the fussy pinot noir grape. The blend mixes clones 667, 777, and 828. The winemaking is the same for all the pinots: destemmed fruit and whole berry fermentations in French oak using very little new oak, in this case only 15%, for 15 months. Saison has a fragrant nose with local wild strawberry, some florals, and deeper dark fruit, that in Island speak, are always subtle. There is a purity here that pinotphiles seek but seldom encounter. The finish is filled with spice and complex joy. This is a provincial treasure, which is why it is so hard to buy most years.Prices:| BC | $75.90 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Block 9 Wild Terrain 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWild Terrain is the untamed sibling of the trio of single block wines launched in 2017 at Blue Mountain. Wild Terrain covers the pinot blocks growing in the most extreme and varied topography, from steep slopes exposed to the wind and facing southwest, to sun-drenched, flatter plains over loamy sand. The vines are now 23 years old, and the results are impressive. Certainly among the most complex pinots made in the province, it charms with its wild flavours, delicate mouthfeel, weight, and a 13.5% sweet spot. Muted black plums and wild raspberries weave through a complex mix of iodine, minerals, earth and desert scrub. Complex and thought provoking, this will only improve in the bottle for the next half of a decade.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Liquidity Reserve Pinot Noir 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2020 Reserve got an extra jolt from a new source of pinot fruit at the northern end of the Naramata Bench, and with some age, has put on both weight and gravitas since my last review. Together with the estate Okanagan Falls pinot, the blend is something special. The style is classic New World pinot, reminiscent of a dark, rich, plush Central Otago label pitching full flavoured black cherry, earth, and forest floor with a hint of spice. This eminently sippable red slides down easily and is best served with equally rich flavours, like duck confit, roasted turkey, or grilled cedar plank salmon.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Little Engine Vineyard Selection Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA significantly cold winter and a cool spring led to a late bud break, followed by more cool weather in May and June and more than usual rainfall. It was hardly a recipe for success, but the warm weather returned in late June and continued through August, one of the hottest months in history, recording the highest Okanagan GDD (Growing Degree Days) on record. October was warm and dry, aiding the final maturation of the vineyards and this pinot noir. The Vineyard Selection is made from exclusively vines grown in Trestle Vineyard, namely clones 777, 667, and 115. The select blocks were all individually fermented in one ton fermenters and aged in French oak puncheons (39% new) and barrels. The final blend is a barrel selection that plays to the character of Trestle Vineyard. It is a rich, brambleberry and dried raspberry affair with savoury dried herbs, rhubarb, cola, and sticky tannins in the back end. Designed for rich dishes, the winery suggests duck confit with blueberry balsamic sauce.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Liquidity Reserve Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA stone's throw from Blue Mountain and not far from Meyer Vineyard, Liquidity’s Allendale Vineyard is planted to several pinot clones, of which Burgundy’s 667 (lush red fruits with rich texture), and 115 (earthy savoury, damp forest floor) make it to this blend. The nose confirms the 115 clones pitching a savoury desert scrub note with hints of cedar and smoked meat. The fruit is dark and muted with mushrooms and toasted oak dusting. The texture is rich, the flavours dry with muted plum and cherry notes. Think Oregon north. Drink or hold through 2029.Prices:| BC | $60.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir 2022
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEast Kelowna Slopes refers to the gently sloping land formed by Mission Creek in the last ice age. A large outwash fan of glacial debris formed in East Kelowna, leading to a wealth of variable soils. The distance from Lake Okanagan allows the slopes to warm during the day, leading to dark fruit flavours and dense tannins in the local pinot noir. Expect a brooding style of dark cherries, plums, and even a whiff of cassis. While firm and present, the structure isn’t overbearing, and the tannins are supple. If you like the generous New World style, this is for you. The wine is naturally fermented wild in a 70/30 concrete and stainless steel mix before aging for 14 months in 35% new French oak barrels. There is no rush to drink pinot, clocking in at only 13% alcohol; it will only expand in the bottle through 2023—another level.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Block 14 Gravel Force 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlock 14, named Gravel Force, is a nod to the numerous small, round stones mixed into light clay over an old, dry river bed. It faces west and south, giving it a hefty dose of Okanagan Falls sun each day, building structure and power to the wine made from 35 year old 115 and 667 clones. The result is a more opulent, riper style, almost muscular, with hints of Bing cherries and plums, all mixed with a round cola savoury finish à la Central Otago. The tannins are polished and silky, making it a pleasure to sip. A more hedonistic wine this year will only attract more buyers. Big value.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Block 23 River Flow 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe style is fresher and cooler in 2022 with bright florals, black cherries, and a hint of Burgundy barnyard underneath. It’s an attractive pinot with another level of intensity and complexity, but still, it has that BC acidity to keep it fresh and elegant. Still young, this will age for six to eight years with little problem. Blue Mountain revamped its pinot noir program in 2017, adding three single vineyard labels that are more like individual blocks. Block 23, or River Flow, is a cool, north facing, eastern sloping section of vineyard planted to Dijon clones 113 and 114. It is own rooted, and vines are now 28 years old. The winemaking is more or less the same as the Reserve: the fruit is hand harvested, destemmed, and fermented wild in open top tanks for 14-18 days with light pump overs. From here, it is settled for 2-3 days and decanted into 228L French oak barrels. A full malolactic happens the following spring, and barrel to barrel racking allows the wine to age on its fine lees, further contributing to its richness and complexity. Good value.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Lightning Rock Reserve Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard 2022
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Canyonview Reserve is one of several pinots made at Summerland's Lightning Rock Winery. Ther reserve version of Canyonview Vineyard is marked by its distinctive black label. The vines, now 22 years old, are planted in sandy granite-streaked soils in Upper Summerland. The reserve selection comes off Block C and is whole cluster fermented. Look for a dark cherry red colour with sweet black cherry mixed with mossy forest floors and earth. The palate is silky smooth, even at 12.5%, with more ripe dark plum, cherry, and a touch of stems. Another example of the specialty of Summerland's terroir. Drink or hold. Only four barrels were made and are only available to club members.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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13 February 2025
89PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis classic label Meyer Pinot Noir sources fruit from Naramata, Osoyoos, Kaleden, and Okanagan Falls, providing a snapshot of the vintage across the region. The destemmed fruit was partially native fermented, macerated up to 1 month, and then pressed into seasoned French barrels and puncheons for 6 months. Dark and herbal plum, forest moss, mushrooms, and fresh dark earth are woven throughout this toothsome pinot, with some finely sticky tannins, and a dusting of baking spices to season. A darker shaded style, well suited to slicked duck or pork dishes.Prices:| BC | $25.30 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMade with grapes from Naramata, Osoyoos, Kaleden, and OK Falls, this is Meyer’s entry level pinot at $25, but it certainly overdelivers. It opens with an intriguing nose of florals, raspberry, and brambles, layered with pinot’s classic mushroom and potting soil earthiness. Minimal oak (older seasoned French) allows the vibrant fruit to shine, with just a hint of toasty spices and sarsaparilla. Medium bodied and refreshing, the palate offers juicy red berries, fine grained tannins, and a balanced, medium length finish. A great value.Prices:| BC | $25.30 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere wasn’t a lot of wine made in 2023, with as much as 50% of the crop suffering winter damage across the region, but Meyer pinot noir fans can breathe easy. There will be some regular Meyer Family Pinot (1822 cases) that is a great touchstone for folks who want a well made pinot noir they can drink that won’t sink the budget. At a modest 13.5% alcohol, this earthy, juicy, cherry, raspberry red with a touch of spice has everything you could want under $26, including less than 1 gram per litre of residual sugar. Winemaker Chris Carson does little to these wines, leaving them to tell their story in the glass. The fruit is hand picked from four vineyard sites found in Naramata, Osoyoos, Kaleden, and Okanagan Falls, and aged in neutral French oak barrels and puncheons to allow for some expansion while leaving no discernible oak. It is ready to drink and a terrific, juicy value, too.Prices:| BC | $25.30 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuails’ Gate was among the earliest pioneers to work with Pinot Noir, and they have been raising the bar ever since. Post ferment, this spends about 10-14 days on skins gathering additional colour and gravitas before ageing 10 months in French oak, a time well suited to delicate cool climate pinot noir. The ’22 mixes cedar, sweet and sour black cherries, black tea, brown sugar, and gentle tannins. It is a slightly more approachable style this year than in 2021. The Quails’ Gate Old Vines Restaurant has paired this wine with many dishes, including mushroom or squash risotto, seared game meats, creamy wild mushroom pork chops and grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $33.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe introductory Unsworth Pinot comes off its Cowichan estate hillside blocks. It is fermented in stainless steel before aging for 15 months in (15% new) French oak. Look for classic perfumed island aromas led by dark plums, ripe raspberries dusted in baking spices, and green forest floor scrub with bright acidity. The lightness and ethereal nature of this 12.1% pinot seal the deal for aficionados. Complex and thought provoking, it is the essence of pinot noir, which you can drink most nights with uncomplicated foods. The final blend combines clones 115, 667, 777, and 828.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Noir +24/10 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 season started late and cool before ending in a warm, dry fall instrumental in the rise in aromatics and concentration, rescuing the year for many growers, and adding weight and fruit to a fresh crop. The nose is filled with black plums and cherry compote, with a savoury mix of cinnamon and clove. The palate has a dark mix of black cherry, black team and earthy cedar. Drink now until 2027. Its richer style will pair nicely with tuna steak and grilled vegetables. This will also stand up to decadent dishes, like a cassoulet or duck confit. The vineyards in play include Thomas Ranch in Okanagan Falls, Bullpine and Bearcub on the Black Sage Bench, and some McIntyre Bluff fruit.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Code Wines Estate Blend Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis new-ish Okanagan winery is the vision of Shay and Harlee Code, the farmers and owners of this organic 5 acre Okanagan Falls east bench estate. The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Blend uses Dijon clones 115 and 777, along with Pommard 91, and an unknown clone (named Ancestor 01), thought to be Germanic in origin. The destemmed fruit was fermented in open top fermenters and then aged in Franch oak (10% new) for 8 months. It was bottled unfiltered. Soft dusky plum, black cherry is kissed with subtly smoked stone and autumnal forest, across a velvety frame. There's a nice stream of acidity to lift through a gentle, brown spiced finish. A gentle, darker shaded pinot, drinking now.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Pinot Noir 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Southern Okanagan fruit, this destemmed pinot was fermented cooler in stainless before being pressed off into barrel for the completion of fermentation and resting 9 months. Soft and juicy, with dark cherry, sapid plum, seasoned with lightly toasted cedar on a plumped palate, framed with very light tannins. A friendly, easy intro to the Southern Okanagan pinot style.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir - B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2023
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe pinot plantings at McLean Creek Road Vineyard are a mix of Burgundian clones. When winemaker Chris Carson planted the B Field in 2017, the site vines included three Dijon clones (115, 667, 777) and cuttings from an unknown clone from the Meyer Old Block site. The goal was to harvest a field blend every growing season. All four clones are picked on the same day and co-fermented. It’s aged in older neutral French oak barrels for 11 months before bottling. It is the biggest version of this wine I have tasted, and it opens with strong reductive (screw cap?) notes that took about 15 minutes to blow off, so be sure to be ready to decant. Once you get by that, it has plenty to say. Expect dark cherry and florals on the nose. The entry is a tangy cranberry, though the older oak has given it a softer edge and a full, rich texture that leads to a mouth-filling pinot style. At 13.5% alcohol, it never opens well. I would serve this with a mushroom dish.Prices:| BC | $31.39 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Quails' Gate Dijon Clone Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Dijon Clone Pinot Noir resides inside the winery’s Distinction Collection: an exclusive mix of Clones 828, 777, and 667 plantings first brought to Canada by founder Ben Stewart, plus numerous other Burgundian clones. At 15 years of age, the vines planted in sandy volcanic soils are reaching their first level of maturity. The style is focused on dense black cherry and plum, with a pinch of dried wild herbs and desert scrub. Savoury and round, with just a hint of sour cherry in the back end to heighten the acid and its appeal, this is complex and showy, and a winner. It is ready to drink now, just barely, but will thrill drinkers through 2028 and beyond under screwcap. Recommended with Asian spiced duck, venison, or a Moroccan tagine leg of a lamb.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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12 February 2025
88PTS
Vasanti Cabernet Franc 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the winery's east bench vineyard in the Southern Okanagan, this franc aged 16 months in new American oak. Spiced wood, black liquorice and black raspberry fill the fuller palate, with moderate acidity to lift through the finish. Tannins are supple and polished, but the oak clobbers this wine, sadly. A big, oak-driven southern Okanagan red.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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11 February 2025
86PTS
Cliff and Gorge Landwine White NV
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaThe Landwine series is a commendable project from Cliff and George, made with estate fruit from PIWI (hybrid) grape varieties that are naturally disease resistant. Lifted with a cidery accent, drink this Lillooet white in the short term.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Red Barn at Jagged Rock Discordion White Blend 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Oliver's Jagged Rock Vineyard, this blends co-fermented chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, a strange match. With grapes in near equal parts, this was aged in concrete before bottling. Bright and tropical, with steely pineapple and crisp yellow apple, this rides a slick of lees to a stony peach blossom finish. Zesty, friendly, Okanagan aromatic white, thankfully dry.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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10 February 2025
87PTS
Vasanti Estate Merlot 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom southern Okanagan's Paradise Vineyard, this fuller merlot spent 21 months in American oak (partial new). Perfumed blackberry jam, baked plum, crushed violets roll the cushioned palate, with some hard press tannins pinning in the sides, through a clipped, bitter, baking spiced finish. I wish for less obvious oak here in future, to allow for more of a sense of place.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Haywire Merlot 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ultra-modern Haywire style reflects British Columbia’s cool climate terroir, red fruit, and bright acidity. These are unlike most merlots made worldwide, and they surprise the palate. In the case of this single vineyard 2022 merlot from Naramata’s King Family Vineyard, the difference maker is its fermentation in concrete, gentle basket pressing to barrel, and finally, ageing in French oak barrels with only 30% new wood. The texture is the story here, and the smooth, silky nature reminds me of top-flight merlot from Italy and France. Still, the difference alluded to earlier is the wine's freshness, brightness, and lift, even at 14% alcohol. This would suit the dinner table where freshness accompanies favourite fatty dishes.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Merlot 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a youthful, dry, spicy red in 2002 with some sticky tannins to disperse. It’s relatively fresh and more linear than most North American versions. The fruit is dark and has plummy undertones and an herbaceous savoury theme in the finish. I would give this another year or two in a bottle, allowing it to settle into itself and pull all the edges in. It's not as plush as previous merlot editions.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $35.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Black Bank Hill Merlot 2021
Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaEstablished by vintner Taylor Emerson in 2017, Black Bank Hill is focused on single vineyard wines from the Niagara Escarpment. This is from their estate Lincoln Lakeshore vineyard, clone 343, destemmed and lightly crushed before a native ferment and 17 months in mostly neutral French oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Fragrant plum, dusty black cherry, black tea is textured with crushed stones in this lighter bodied merlot, framed with lightly fuzzy tannins. Nice fresher, brighter, authentic style.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Sage Vineyard Merlot 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA hot summer and a cool fall are keys to ripening Okanagan’s warmest vineyard site, and 2021 was challenging with its heat dome and wildfires. This is a hedonistic style of merlot at the best of times, and this year, it has an added candied cherry profile, no doubt, because of the extreme midsummer heat. Still, it has a plush and round style that will appeal to many, and is ready to drink. Prime rib would be a good match.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Seven Hills Merlot 2019
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesFrom select Walla Walla Valley vineyards, this was aged in French, American, and Russian (!) barrels (40% new) for 16 months. Typically ripe and dense, with compact black fruit, brown spices, orange rind, and sticky, furry tannins framing through a warming and bitter 14.5% finish. This is for the more is more crowd, hopefully with grilled ribs.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Lunessence Merlot 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLunessence is on a role with merlot. The 2022 is better than the 2021, which was good in a challenging year, but this is another notch up. There is no mention of foot-trodden grapes on the label this year, but the texture is silky smooth, and the dark plum is perfectly ripe. It is aged in French oak, a small amount is new, and the results are stunning. Fragrant, fruity, clean, and stylish, this is a head-turner. It's a perfect wine for a mushroom pasta dish. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hester Creek Joe's Block 2022
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJoe’s Block was planted in Block 13 by Joe Busnardo in 1968. It is an Italian clone of merlot that has seemingly adapted well to the Golden Mile Bench. The bunches were hand sorted into Ganimede fermentation tanks, cold soaked for two days before a 21 day extended maceration. The final juice was pressed into French oak barrels and aged for 18 months before blending. The unknown clone is reflected in the wine that mixes plums, blueberries, sage, and black olives in a refreshing red and blue fruit palate that, at 13.8% alcohol, dances in the mouth. The winery says to pair it with a classic pasta Bolognese or an eggplant parmigiana, and I am in.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mayhem Anarchy Merlot 2022
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 vintage twisted and turned through the growing season that, in the end, was a solid year delivering quality fruit. The merlot comes off a single vineyard on Anarchist Mountain, overlooking the town of Osoyoos at 1700 feet above the valley floor. The merlot was planted in 1994 by the Mauz family and grows on sparse silt and sand deposits from ancient glacial movements. Big, dark, extracted, and full of ripe black fruit, it’s a full-bodied red pitching dense, tight mountain fruit with plenty of oak and firm but dusty tannins. Anarchy is predominately merlot, with only 2% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon in the mix. Ready and fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Grinder Merlot 2021
Western Cape, South AfricaFrom The Grinder, this Merlot is a ripe, sweeter blend of sites from the Western Cape. Mocha, jammy blackberry rule the cushy, sticky palate, before a short, pasty bitter finish. Tannins are soft and easy. A commercial wine that does little to share or better South African reds.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Opening Gambit Merlot 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpening Gambit comes from two vineyards on the east side of Osoyoos: Border Vista and Vineyard 3, the latter located just a little north of Border Vista and right beneath Anarchist Highway. The vines are now 29 years old and grow at elevations ranging from 330 to 437 meters, situated on various exposures. This merlot is consistently the richest among the Checkmate releases. They are currently in the third year of transitioning to organic farming, which will allow the grapes to ripen earlier and achieve lower alcohol levels. This change is expected to enhance the finesse of the wine. It is wild fermented and spends 20 months in new French oak barrels. The 2021 season was particularly challenging in South Okanagan due to heat domes and wildfires. However, this vineyard has largely escaped those issues. The wine presents pitch black cherries, cassis, black tea, and hints of baking chocolate and savoury wild desert scrub. On the palate, notes of black and red raspberry are complemented by reasonably polished tannins. While this possesses the weight and mouthfeel typically expected from a top quality Merlot, it has not yet reached its full potential. Overall, it is a solid offering.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $500.00 | 3000ml |
| BC | $1010.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Black Rook Merlot 2021
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack Rook is situated on the Black Sage Bench, an unclassified South Okanagan subregion. The grapes are grown just above Black Sage Road, where the Red Barn and Phantom Creek wineries sit on a site that pushes up tight against the Okanagan Highlands between 317 and 408m. It’s a single vineyard sitting primarily on a poor, pure sand site with a southwest exposure that endures warm evenings. The yields are naturally low, and the fruit is concentrated, quite the opposite of what Checkmate has on the Golden Mile Bench, yet somehow, it reveals a fair amount of finesse even in its youth. The ’21 opens with floral black cherry that spills onto the palate and mixes into licorice, light chocolate, resin, blueberry, and cassis with dense, supple, chalky tannins. There are some dried desert scrub and a fair bit of oak at this point. The plan is to step back off the new French oak barriques and move to larger oak vessels to do the aging (currently at 20 months). As for the finesse mentioned, it works its way in at the end, adding class to this wine. Cellarworthy through 2028.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $500.00 | 3000ml |
| BC | $6000.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Silent Bishop Merlot 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSilent Bishop accentuates the vagaries of its south Okanagan site, the cooler western benches under Mount Kobau, namely Oliver North, Golden Mile, and Osoyoos West, between 313 and 400m. The gentle early morning sun kicks off long days at 49 degrees north, beginning as early as 5am all summer. The sun slips behind Kobau in the late afternoon, allowing the grapes to escape any late day baking. The organic fruit is wild fermented and gets extended skin contact before ageing in French oak barrels for 20 months. The freshness of the Western side is reflected in its red currants, raspberries scents. The palate is plush but with sticky tannins, black cherries, and blackcurrant, with a smoky, resiny, dry finish. This is not up to the previous level of this label in what was a challenging climate year.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $500.00 | 3000ml |
| BC | $1010.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery End Game Merlot 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEnd Game, a blend from the Okanagan, is a testament to the region's potential. It's a mix of fruit from two sandy south Okanagan benches. The vineyards, with their multiple expositions and elevations, produce a range of flavours and styles heightened by long days and plenty of warm, late-day sun. The nose opens with characteristic black raspberry with hints of sweet sassafras. The palate, slightly leaner this year, is more lively but still lined with desert scrub and sagebrush. It's a stylish and fun wine to drink, but its aging potential truly sets it apart. It will mature gracefully into the late ‘20s, a testament to its quality and craftsmanship. The wild ferment, with 50-55 days of skin contact, finishes in the barrel, where the wine ages 20 months in new French oak. Serious.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $200.00 | 1500ml |
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88PTS
Hillside Merlot Occhi Dolci Vineyard 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHillside's latest single vineyard series merlot release is Occhi Dolci, grown high above the Okanagan Lake shoreline below the famous Penticton sign on Mt. Munson. The nose is somewhat reserved with resiny, red fruit flecked with dried herbs and spice. The palate is more of that red fruit and spice, mixed with bright acidity from front to back. There are some sticky tannins in the back end that are drying the wine out for now. This needs some more bottle time to allow all the parts to pull in one direction, or serve it now with a big piece of grilled beef. The fruit is hand harvested and was picked at the end of a warm and consistent ’22 growing season weather wise, the highest recorded Growing Degree Days ever on the Naramata Bench. A 12 day cold soak and temperature controlled fermentation totalled 30 days of maceration contributing to its dark colour and soft tannins. Post malolactic fermentation in oak, it spent 16 more months in 42% new French oak. The vineyard is owned and tended by renowned Okanagan researchers Dr. Pat Bowen and Carl Bogdanoff.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hillside Merlot Hidden Valley Vineyard 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHidden Valley Vineyard is just off the Naramata Bench main road, tucked into the upper hillside south of the winery. Often, merlots don’t receive the appreciation they deserve, as evidenced by the exceptional quality of the merlot produced at Hillside. Its appealing aroma features earthy, savoury red fruit and mineral notes. Winemaker Kathy Malone employs a delicate touch, skillfully incorporating black and red fruit layers to enhance complexity and length. The wine finishes with plummy notes accented by a hint of orange and fine-grained tannins — making it more European in style than New World. This merlot received high praise at the National Wine Awards in 2023 and is ready to drink now or can be held for future enjoyment.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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07 February 2025
93PTS
Roche Nuances 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPénélope Roche comes from a family with deep winemaking roots, namely, six generations of viticulture and winemaking at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion in Graves, Bordeaux. Together with her partner Dylan Roche, a bicycle mechanic in Burgundy who got the bug and obtained a diploma in viticulture and winemaking in Beaune followed by apprenticeships in the Côte d’Or, Chablis, and New Zealand before five years in Bordeaux teaching enology and sensory evaluation classes at Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, and managing a small winery in Margaux, they began Roche. Dylan has been farming vineyards and making wine in the Okanagan Valley since 2011. Looking back at the 2020 Nuances, a wine entering its fourth year in the bottle, it's instructive to note the nuances just beginning to emerge. The blend is 47% merlot, 28% cabernet franc, and 25% cabernet sauvignon, from sites up and down the Okanagan, and it is perfection. The energy and freshness here make this a textbook example of what can be done on the Naramata Bench. Look for a juicy red pitting black cherries with red plums dusted with violets that run the length of the wine. The acid and tannins are beginning to recede, leaving a delicious red wine in the race. Beef Wellington would be a great winter dish or a great piece of cheese. Ooh la la, good luck trying to find this wine.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust Red +09/10 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlind Trust is the second Bordeaux inspired blend of Laughing Stock. The mix is hidden under the capsule, where you learn that 2022 is a blend of 60/23/17 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec. The nose is quiet, pitching some red fruits and herbs but in muted tones. The mid palate is a juicy, black cherry, blue fruit affair with some thinness at the edge. The textures are light and soft and tend to fade quickly in the aftertaste. You can drink this now with grilled meats from sausages and lamb chops to homemade tacos.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +07/10 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2021 vintage, the 19th blend of Portfolio, is a multi-grape mix of 50% merlot, 29% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc, 5% malbec, and 4% petit verdot. These grapes are sourced from various locations in Oliver, as well as from the Perfect Hedge Vineyard in Osoyoos. The heat dome year presented numerous challenges for the vines and growers, including drought, wildfire smoke, and low yields. However, Portfolio managed to avoid the worst consequences. The wine undergoes whole berry fermentation in stainless steel tanks and is aged for 21 months in French oak barrels, 38% of which are new, and 62% are second fill. Expect to find warm black cherry, cedar, and cocoa powder aromas. The wine is similar on the palate with a moderately long, warm finish. It is not as intense as its price might suggest. It will be ready to drink in 2025.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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92PTS
Black Bank Hill Égalité 2021
Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaEstablished by vintner Taylor Emerson in 2017, Black Bank Hill is focused on single vineyard wines from the Niagara Escarpment. Égalité is a 3 barrel blend, with 1 barrel of each cabernet sauvignon (clone 169), merlot (clone 343), cabernet franc (clones 214, 327), native fermented and aged in mostly neutral French oak for 17 months. It was bottled, unfined, and unfiltered. Bright and vibrant, this medium red weaves black cherry, wild raspberry, black tea, crushed stones, and ferrous notes across its long palate. Long, lightly grippy tannins frame through a lingering, saline finish. There's a lovely light touch to this charming, yet structured blend.Prices:| ON | $39.85 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Painted Rock Red Icon 2021
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRed Icon is Painted Rock's flagship red. In a challenging year that included a heat dome, wildfire smoke, and drought restricted yields, the winery has done a fine job ensuring the flagship is at the level it needs to be. The fruit is all estate, coming off the winery’s mature Skaha Bench vineyard in a 41/23/16/12/8 merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petit verdot blend. It doesn’t have the poise of Oculus, but a richness and savoury note makes it an attractive option at about a 60% discount. Look for blackcurrant and smoky dried herbs with a slight tug of tannins, expected in a dry year like ‘21. It doesn’t have the architecture to go long in the bottle, but it should be a solid bottle at seven years old.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOculus has been around since 1997, and it's taken nearly an entire quarter century for this wine to reach its stated goal to be "the ultimate expression of the Okanagan Valley." It has always been good and better than most BC reds, but the later versions, especially the latest 2020 release, are finally hitting the mark, combining refreshing, nuanced red fruit with rich dark fruit and exquisitely managed tannins. The newest blend is a 49/24/22/5 mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and petit verdot that has been painstakingly grown in the vineyard to meet the Oculus standard. It is optically sorted and fermented in specially constructed French oak and concrete fermenters before going to the barrel. In short, it is a no stone unturned wine made of 90% Osoyoos fruit and 10% Black Sage Oliver fruit. It spends 19 months in small French oak barrels and 2 more years in bottles before release. It is young, but the styling suggests you could drink this with a rich protein and enjoy it now. It is the best young Oculus I have tested and will only improve in the bottle through 2035 and beyond. When you factor in one of the finest growing seasons in the Okanagan, you have the perfect recipe for an exceptional wine.Prices:| BC | $225.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Orofino Dourado 2021
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYear two of Dourado, a wine Orofino describes as a reserve tier, Bordeaux style red, opens with an enticing nose of sweet oak, light smoke, and savoury red fruits. It is a 50/25/15/10 blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot from several vineyard sites on the Cawston Bench. Just a hint of smoke. This is a robust red with that wild Similkameen black fruit and exotic spice expertly assembled from a serious selection of the winery’s best red wine barrels. There is no rush to drink this wine. Be patient and check on it every two or three years through 2030. It is aged in French oak for 20 months before spending another year in a bottle before release.Prices:| BC | $51.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château de Ricaud 2017
Bordeaux, FranceThis is a lean, somewhat old school style of claret. Surprisingly, it feels like the fruit is starting to dry out and the palate beginning to fade, leading to a thin finish lacking concentration. Perhaps it's an unrepresentative bottle, but I would be drinking this sooner rather than later.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château Pey la Tour 2021
Bordeaux, FranceA simple, juicy claret that's ready to drink now with classic bistro fare. Sappy dark cherries are layered with pungent herbs and green peppercorn, on a slight frame that's marked by brisk acidity. Quite lean and green, which is perhaps not surprising given the vintage.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.85 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $22.60 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.87 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Pey la Tour Réserve du Château 2019
Bordeaux, FranceRipe dark cherry and plum is layered with graphite and gravel. It feels merlot heavy, with generous fruit and a rich, round palate with fine tannins that will reward short term drinking. A fine Bordeaux Supérieur, all in all.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $27.45 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Van Westen Vineyards V 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is number 13 for V, the Van Westen five-grape Bordeaux blend. The 2020 mix is 45% merlot, 24% cabernet franc, 11% malbec, 9% cabernet sauvignon, and 11% petit verdot. It is a deeper, darker, more complex version of Voluptuous, although it is not a wine for long-term cellaring. The nose is Okanagan savoury, pitching dried sage and peppery notes into a mix of black cherries, sweet black plums and blueberries. It is dense yet soft, with only a bit of spice and tannin to overcome in the finish. It should be in its best place by 2027, but you can drink it now with a substantial protein for dinner. The fruit comes from four Naramata vineyards, all within two kilometres of the Van Westen winery: Home Lot, Boothe Road, Granite Ridge, and Salting.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2020 Voluptuous was a winner, and so too is this 2022. I would describe it as voluptuous, luxurious, or perhaps more precisely, generous. The blend is unchanged at 67% merlot and 33% cabernet franc, each fully ripe as the vines at Naramata's Boothe Road Vineyard’s silty clay/loam soils approach 20 years of age. Round and fragrant, the nose is an enticing mix of savoury black fruits. Look for more of the same on the palate with that juicy blueberry, boysenberry that runs through a slurry of gentle tannins. This is a drink or hold red, but given its balance, why wait? T-bone steaks, lamb chops, or a favourite winter mushroom casserole would be fine matches. A very friendly consumer style.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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06 February 2025
92PTS
Craven Wines Chenin Blanc Karibib 2023
Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom 40+ year old, organically farmed radial bush vines on the weathered granite soils of Polkadraai’s Karibib Vineyard, at 300m, this was whole bunch pressed, native fermented, and left on lees 4 months until racking. In all it spent 9 months in concrete, a recent shift that has focused and textured this already impressive wine. Finely detailed, with crystalline lemon, crunchy pear, light quince across a fine lees base, stencilled with stony salts that translates to a saline, subtly savoury finish.Prices:| ON | $39.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Matanzas Creek Chenin Blanc 2023
California, United StatesMatanzas Creek Winery has been making quality wines since 1977 and taking chances in a region slow to evolve beyond cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. This rare chenin blanc was picked early from three vineyards: River Junction, California's smallest AVA located south of Lodi, around Ripon; Alexander Valley; and Mendocino County from the coolish 2023 vintage. This did not go through malolactic fermentation, keeping it fresh and tight. The wine was aged in a mix of stainless steel, neutral French oak barrels, and puncheons to add a bit of complexity. The nose is muted with subtle hints of lemongrass, pear, and green apples. Light pear and mineral notes rule the palate, while the finish is somewhat lengthy. It is a solid effort but lacks the intensity of what we see in the Loire or South Africa and even at home in BC.Prices:| US | $24.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cantina Lavis Pinot Grigio 2022
Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyFrom Trentino's Lavis and Trento areas, this pinot grigio was fermented cool in stainless steel for five months on lees prior to bottling. Brief and crisp, with bitter lemon, watery tangerine, and tart acidity on a clipped palate. This is a simple entry-level grigio.Prices:| BC | $19.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.99 | 1500ml |
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88PTS
Cecchi La Mora Vermentino 2020
Tuscany, ItalyLa Morra Vermentino is a white wine grown at Maremma on the Tuscan coast, where it experiences a Mediterranean maritime climate. This vermentino that is made in a straightforward fashion. It gets a cold pre-fermentation maceration, and the fermentation takes 15 days at 15°C before spending at least 2 months in the bottle. The colour is a standard, slight yellow, and the nose is a mix of white peaches and yellow plums with fresh mineral on the underside. You can serve this all spring and summer, and it is worth searching out in select private stores. I love the Ontario price, which is $8 cheaper than BC.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.25 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Damilano Arneis 2022
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyDamilano’s roots in Barolo date to 1890, when Giuseppe Borgogno started cultivating and producing wine from the grapes from his vineyards. The current arneis comes off 22 year old vines rooted in primarily sandy soil. It is fermented and aged briefly in stainless steel to retain its bright, vibrant style, best especially when young. Look for an attractive mix of pears, quince, and minerals, a silky smooth, almost oily palate, and an almond croissant finish. It is a compelling wine that can be served with various foods, from spring green salads to fresh halibut to spaghetti vongole.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Passato Roero Arneis 2022
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyFrom Roero, Piemonte comes Passato, a straw coloured arneis with a floral, green apple, melon nose and an almond undercurrent. Post ferment, it spends six months on lees to broaden the mid-palate, pitching green apples, ripe pear, and citrus all over a mineral stony base, finishing with hints of guava and almonds. It is a delicious food wine with an array of West Coast seafood dishes or an Italian classic spaghetti with garlic and olive oil (Aglio e olio).Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sartarelli Classico Verdicchio 2022
Marche, ItalyThis verdicchio is an uncomplicated white from gently pressed fruit, handled softly throughout fermentation. Look for a light straw colour with green reflections. On the nose, it pitches some classic grassy green fruit and hawthorn sprayed with citrus and touched by almonds at the finish. This is a delightful Marche white that was made for West Coast seafood. Fresh and youthful, it is a solid pasta wine, and clams or mussels are the best shellfish to combine with spaghetti and verdicchio. The Sartarelli family is committed to the historical preservation of Verdicchio in Castelli di Jesi as they move to elevate the grape’s reputation, and it’s been going on for over four decades. Stock up, as this one is a winner. Fine value too.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Red Barn Stand Apart Pinot Bianco 2023
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRed Barn has a Stand Apart Series, exclusively available to its club members. The limited collection features small batch wines handpicked by winemaker Kaylee Barss, whose goal is a unique and experimental experience with every sip. Calling it pinot bianco takes us to northern Italy, where the best examples offer a fresh, bright, modern style. The Red Barn version mixes that with some Jagged Rock Magic. The magic is a delicate, cooler, fresher style than you might expect, with ripe pears, citrus, and candied orange blossom along the way. It smells sweeter than it tastes, suggesting shellfish as the match. The wine is whole-cluster-pressed and fermented in concrete.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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