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Tastings: May 2025
04 May 2025
94PTS
Bass Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2021
Gippsland, Victoria, AustraliaThe Estate is the third tier pinot from renowned Bass Phillip. The top tier Reserve Pinot typically fetches prices similar to the top Grand Cru Burgundy. Intensely aromatic spicy plum and black cherry are matched with graphite notes from the powdery tannins. On the palate, the intensity uncoils layered, elegant flavours that run into a long, persistent finish. The estate label is the best barrel selection of the Leongatha vineyard. It rested for 14 months in oak barrels, 22% of which were new. It is unfiltered and unfined at 13.9% alcohol. It was a star at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.Prices:| BC | $166.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Citation Pinot Noir 2006
Oregon, United StatesThere is much going here in a wine left to develop fully before being released. It’s medium bodied and intense, full of cherries, baking spices, and mixed berries with contributing textured tannins. The voluptuous weave of mature flavours includes plum, wood, caramel, leather, and game.Prices:| CDN | $99.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThis is very light bodied, perfumed with raspberry and strawberry. The graceful texture is almost weightless, but still very persuasive with lighter red berry, Cowichan Valley’s signature forest floor, and frictionless tannins. Very reminiscent of the ephemeral pinot noirs from Ribbon Ridge in Oregon, this has that pinot noir magic.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis Quails’ Gate estate pinot noir shows tightly knit tannins with subdued but supple notes of dark cherry and autumn leaves. The grapes are a mixture of clones sourced from certified sustainable vineyards. It was matured in new and old French oak barrels for ten months.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $33.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Reserve Series Pinot Noir 2022
Black Sage Gravel Bar, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDusty mulberry and raspberry, along with a seam of savoury minerality conjures some Italian pinot neros. The finish is lengthy and involves blackberry, baking spices, black tea, and dried cherry. Aged in oak for 18 months, 33% new, it was sourced from the Orchard Grove, Hester Creek, and Gold Hill vineyards.Prices:| BC | $32.90 | 750ml |
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02 May 2025
91PTS
Tantalus Rosé Looney Vineyard Oregon 2024
Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThis 2024 Rosé names the vineyard on the front label, and is Tantalus' series of Crafted in BC (CIBC) wines from the 2024 vintage. Here pinot noir was sourced from Looney Vineyard in Oregon's Ribbon Ridge AVA, a site winemaker David Paterson worked on many years ago as an itinerant intern. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and transported cool overnight to their East Kelowna winery. Free run juice was fermented in stainless, with harder press spending time in older pinot noir barriques for texture. They remained there through fermentation and a 3 months' additional rest on lees. Pouring a glowing peach hue, this slender, saline pink charms with wild strawberry, raspberry blossoms, and subtle savoury stoniness woven throughout the palate, echoing long with lingering salinity. Super smart and moreish.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Tantalus Den's Block Old Vines Riesling 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Dave Peterson says Den's Block Riesling is a special wine for the winery team because it honours their friend and BC wine industry pioneer Daniel Martin Dulik, affectionally known by his peers as Den. Dulike died in 2016 but left an indelible mark on the industry. He established some of the earliest vinifera in Canada after acquiring cuttings from the Weis family of Mosel's St. Urbans-Hof winery in 1978 and planting them in his Kelowna Pioneer Vineyard, where Tantalus operates today. I felt special when I tasted this wine, knowing its history and meeting Dan on the property in the earliest days of the latest incarnation of BC wine. Descriptions do not do justice to this complete wine, brimming with ripe fruit and rich acidity, which build a palate that is hard to ignore. The colour is gold, and the nose is a mix of lemons, mandarins, and white flowers with a puff of kerosene and stony minerality. As close as you might want to a Mosel Spätlese, at lease without being sued. Drink or hold, it will be alive in 2050.Prices:| BC | $56.42 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Field and Flight Rosé California 2024
California, United StatesField and Flight is a series of wines Kelowna-based Quails’ Gate makes with fruit from outside the country to cope with the massive winter damage it suffered in early 2024. The rosé label in 2024 comes from California but has no details of its grape heritage. The colour is pale pink, the nose lightly aromatic with red fruit, while the palate is a juicy mix of pink grapefruit and ripe melon with a touch of spice and bitterness. Ready to drink, and serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe Pristine label is how Bartier Bros chose to differentiate their Crafted in BC (CIBC) wines from the 2024 vintage. This cab sauv rosé was sourced from 40 year old vines off sandy loams of Soaring Eagle Vineyard, in Washington State's Wahluke Slope AVA. It was night harvested, destemmed and crushed and pressed immediately, and fermented and rested in stainless back at the Oliver winery. Pouring a shining peach hue, this silken, sleek wine streams delicate cherry blossoms, fragrant raspberry, and fine spice along the palate, lingering with perfumed spices. Quite posh, and excellent value.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 StatesThe Pristine label is how Bartier Bros chose to differentiate their Crafted in BC (CIBC) wines from the 2024 vintage. This came from the sandy loams of Wahluke Slope AVA, in Washington State's Columbia Valley, and blends 94% cabernet sauvignon, 3% pinot noir, 2% chardonnay, and 1% riesling. It was night harvested, destemmed, crushed and pressed before fermenting coolish in stainless. Pouring a super pale hue, this slight pink leads with delicate strawberries, apple blossoms, and fine spice, which glide along the silken palate. Friendly and accessible, and ideal for sunny patio sipping. Excellent price.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Free Form Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot noir from their organic estate Garnet Valley Vineyard spent a short time on skins to give the deeper pink peach hue. The grapes were whole cluster pressed and native fermented and aged in concrete. I was surprised to receive a 2020 rosé in the current and upcoming releases, and it's certainly tasting its age, with dried and fresh florals, cherry leather, and a soapy kiss on the watery finish. There is still nice buzzy underlay here, and a slight stream of acidity to make it to the finish. Wish I had tasted in a few years earlier.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bartier Bros. Pristine Rosé 2024
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesPristine is the word Bartier Bros chose to describe its Made in BC wines from foreign ingredients or, as my colleague Treve Ring describes, CIBC wines, or Crafted in BC. Either way, Bartier has exploited Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA, blending 94/3/2/1 cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, chardonnay, and riesling. Almost colourless, this barely pink wine pitches soft red berries on a silky smooth palate with a dash of spice orchard fruits. Classic Bartier: reserved, ready to drink, and food-friendly. We love the price.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Orofino Few and Far Between Washington Series Cinsault Rosé 2024
Washington, United StatesThe regular edition of Orofino Rosé is tough to follow, but this replacement wine from Washington is a winner. The cinsault grown in the Naches Heights AVA, a cooler section of the Columbia Valley, is made at Orofino. It transports me to the south of France, maybe not Provence, but definitely to the growing collection of high end Languedoc pinks led by Gerard Bertrand. The vineyard is farmed salmon safe, organic, and biodynamically, which dovetails perfectly with the Orofino philosophy. The pale colour and super bright acidity are awash in a lemon note. I’m not sure I’ve had a better Washington rosé. A patio pink that works with or without food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $50.00 | 1500ml |
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89PTS
Poplar Grove Rosé Cascadia Series 2024
Washington, United StatesPoplar Grove has released the Cascadia Series to augment its production after the winter freezes of 2023 and 2024. The fruit for this rose comes off a series of Washington AVAS: Wahluke Slope, Goose Gap, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills. All of the grapes were processed in BC. The finished product is a soft, gulpable pink packed full of watermelon, oranges, and pink grapefruit. It is a touch low on acidity, so stay away from creamy dishes. You might enjoy it best cooled down and served solo on a warm patio, or try it with salty chips.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Rosé Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley Collection 2024
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe ’24 Hester Creek Rosé is made with cabernet franc sourced from the famed Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. The whole bunches were hand sorted and destemmed at the crusher. It was 24 days on the skins, including a three day cold soak, all of which explains its darkish, pink colour. The nose is a mix of candied cherries and oranges that spill onto the palate, like many of the rosés we see from Washington. It lacks the zip and freshness of BC, but it delivers weightier fruit that many will embrace. It’s a style you can pour at the lunch table with salmon or chicken dishes. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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01 May 2025
88PTS
Three Sisters Winery Riesling 2023
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Sister's Riesling is the perfect tonic for oysters or Thai curry. Both dishes will pair seamlessly with its intense, dry, lemony, green apple that persist throughout. It is not complicated but relatively fresh, clean, and zippy, perfect for a warm day served cool on the patio with appetizers or, as mentioned earlier, at the table. It is fair value, too.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Moselland Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2023
Mosel, GermanyA Mosel Kabinett riesling is an excellent wine to kick off spring with. While Michelsburg has been around forever, it comes from one of the top co-ops in the region, based in Bernkastel. The style is just off dry, but it's barely noticeable, given the citrus, apricot, and green apple, and its clean, crisp finish. This crunchy white is a white you can enjoy solo on a warm patio or pair with a favourite spicy sushi roll or pork dish. Available in 167 stores.Prices:| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Selbach Riesling Fish Label 2021
Mosel, GermanyI tasted this vintage about a year ago, and the good news is that nothing much has changed. The colourful fish label originated in British Columbia and was created by Vancouver based artist Johanna Waldorf, partner of distributor Andy Waldorf (Waldorf Wines). Both are friends of the famed owner Johannes Selbach. Expect a fruity, aromatic white packed with white flower and peach overtones, fresh cut green apple and peach, all acutely balanced by bright Mosel acidity. Still juicy and still delicious. Vegetarian gyoza would be a solid match.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2022
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's vineyard is a tiny single vineyard literally down the road from Mission Hill Family Estate at the base of Mt. Boucherie, a long dormant volcano in West Kelowna at 49.83°N. It is a warm, southeastern facing parcel named after owner Anthony von Mandl's mom, and it has performed with ease year in and year out. The clone 21B vines are now a quarter century old and typically give the wine a rich mineral base with intense, concentrated, dry, tangerine, limey fruit with streaks of pear and bright acidity. Power and precision are an excellent combination, and this wine has it. It has to be considered among the best rieslings made in North America.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Riesling 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Naramata Ranch is a spectacular site where topology and geology are a winegrower's dream. It is planted across several elevations on soil that is mostly just rocks. Upon closer examination, you find a mix of red granite on the surface over granite bedrock, and it is everywhere. The site is grass free primarily because it won't support grass or any other cover crop. The vines are 45 years old and own rooted to an unknown clone, adding another layer to this wine's complexity. The fermentation and aging are completed in German oak stücks. On the palate, the style is opulent, with a strong floral streak and a dusting of sea salt on the back end. It has an intense, fresh, stony, mineral, lemon-lime palate suited to almost any food you can think of serving. The Ranch sits at the northern end of the Naramata Bench, at Latitude 49.67˚ - Longitude 119.64˚before running up against Chute Lake's mountains. It is hand sorted, and not all the berries are crushed before pressing, sans sulphur. All serious opulent stuff for wine geeks. Speaking of geeks, the fermentation is spontaneous in German oak casks. The alcohol is 12.4%, the residual sugar is 6.0 g /L, and the pH is 3.02.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Heaphy Riesling 2023
Nelson, South Island, New ZealandHeaphy Riesling comes from royalty, namely 30 to 50 year old, unirrigated vines grown on Moutere's clay soils. The heavier soils give the body some gravitas, but the lime and red apples draw you into this wine. Juicy, fresh, and lightly spiced, it is the perfect late afternoon aperitif, or wine that can be served at the dinner table when paired with spicy food. It fits the Boutinot motto of being first and foremost, delicious.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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