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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Tasting Notes

Tastings: October 2026

06 October 2026

Craven Wines Syrah Firs Vineyardtext
92PTS

Craven Wines Syrah Firs Vineyard 2024

Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom Stellenbosch's Devon Valley, and its iron rich clay soils at 300m, this clone S22 syrah was planted in 2002. Unlike Jeanine and Mick's other reds, syrah is always entirely whole bunch. This rested with skins for 9 days, before moving into open top stainless bins for foot trodding and native ferment. It then spends 10ish months in concrete. Perfumed blackberry, boysenberry, dark violets course through this darker shaded, though medium bodied syrah, with firm tannins pinning in the sides, and the clay soils and 2024 vintage adding a shade more heft to the core. Cracked peppercorn linger on the stony finish, welcoming partnering with herb-decked lamb.Prices:
ON$42.00750ml
Producer: Craven Wines
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Township 7 Interlude Syrahtext
89PTS

Township 7 Interlude Syrah 2024

United StatesInterlude is a different kind of blend, combining earthy aromatics and juicy red fruit from Sonoma with concentrated, ripe dark fruit and structured tannins from Washington. The mix yields a blueberry and blackberry profile with a peppercorn driven earthy undertone and a smooth texture. Try with five spice baby back ribs, or a mushroom farrotto. The fruit came from two distinct sites equally: Four Palms Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma, grown in sandy loam with shale and volcanic ash; and 50% from Double D Vineyard in the Rocky Reach AVA in Oroville, WA, where it grew in wind deposited sand and silt over cobblestone gravel. The wine was aged 18 months in 77% French and 23% American oak (none new).Prices:
BC$44.97750ml
Producer: Township 7 Vineyards and Wineries
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Escorihuela 1884 Syrah Finca E.G.text
88PTS

Escorihuela 1884 Syrah Finca E.G. 2023

Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis wine has been a consistent entry level syrah bargain for years. The fruit comes from Agrelo, a quality Argentine region, and the style is fresh and juicy. Look for a dry, slightly floral nose with black fruit. The palate is simple and direct, with dark cherry, anise, and a dusting of spice. It's fresh, approachable, and perfect with midweek grilled meat or vegetables.Prices:
BC$19.99750ml
AB$15.00750ml
YK$19.00750ml
Producer: Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon
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Falernia Gran Reserva Syrahtext
91PTS

Falernia Gran Reserva Syrah 2021

Valle del Elqui, ChileThis wine has overdelivered for years, and the 2021 vintage may be the best I've tasted yet. There's still the lush, ripe fruit, clocking in at 14.5 abv, but it feels like there's more savoury depth now, with bacon marmalade, black olive, and white pepper. There's something decidedly Rhône-ish to this wine, while showing why Elqui continues to be so exciting for syrah. Highly recommended.Prices:
BC$19.99750ml
Producer: Viña Falernia
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Mayu Syrah Gran Reserva Don Mauro Vineyardtext
89PTS

Mayu Syrah Gran Reserva Don Mauro Vineyard 2021

Valle del Elqui, ChileTasting this again over two years later, it feels like it's just starting to exit its drinking window, at least based on this bottle. The fruit has matured into a stewed direction, overshadowing some of the varietal perfume and spice. It's a big, monolithic wine that's certainly more shiraz than syrah, with notable heat now from the 14.5% abv.Prices:
BC$35.00750ml
Producer: Viña Falernia
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Falernia Syrah Reserva Titon Vineyardtext
92PTS

Falernia Syrah Reserva Titon Vineyard 2023

Valle del Elqui, ChileThe Titon Vineyard Syrah is a fascinating contrast to the Gran Reserva. More restrained and polished, it leads with ripe brambles, crushed rock, and floral perfume, over the savoury, meaty intensity of the latter. And it has the structure and fruit concentration to easily improve over the next 5-7 years. It feels like this could truly only come from Elqui. Highly recommended.Prices:
BC$33.00750ml
Producer: Viña Falernia
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Painted Rock Syrahtext
92PTS

Painted Rock Syrah 2023

Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a rich, full throttle syrah that exudes the ripeness of the vintage, with opulent brambly fruit and dried lavender that's generously framed with toasted oak spice and vanillin. Full bodied and mouth- oating, there's impressive concentration here, with the extraction to match. But the tannins are well managed, plush and suave, leading to a peppery finish. It's easy to see why this is one of the Okanagan's benchmark syrahs.Prices:
BC$51.99750ml
Producer: Painted Rock Estate Winery
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Moraine Syrah Anastatia Estate Vineyardtext
89PTS

Moraine Syrah Anastatia Estate Vineyard 2022

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a juicy, medium bodied syrah that shows a combination of dark plum and raspberry alongside a dusting of spices and lavender. Correct and true to the Naramata Bench, coming from Anasasia Estate Vineyard. This was aged 18 months in French oak, but to this palate lacks the fruit density to fully support it.Prices:
BC$32.99750ml
Producer: Moraine Estate Winery
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Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraztext
89PTS

Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2020

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Shotfire could be a poster child for the Barossa showy style. The nose is bright and forthright, with ripe, smoky blueberries kissed with pepper and cedar. The entry is lush, smooth, mouthfilling, and warm, with a whack of black fruits, dried herbs, and sweet vanilla. A warm, spicy, attractive style of shiraz that slides down easily, especially when served with grilled lamb chops.Prices:
AB$27.95750ml
ON$22.95750ml
Producer: Thorn-Clarke Wines
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Phantom Creek Estates Kobau Vineyard Syrahtext
90PTS

Phantom Creek Estates Kobau Vineyard Syrah 2022

Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaKobau Syrah comes from a 4.5 acre block on the west side of the Okanagan Valley's Golden Mile Bench. Morning sun and cooler late afternoons and evenings protect the fruit from intense late day heat, preserving balance and freshness. The '22 is pure and poised, combining concentrated blackberry and blueberry with spiced plum, florals, and white pepper. The palate delivers a rush of savoury notes, mixed with meaty, black olive and glossy blue fruit brushed with 19 months of French oak ageing and a warm finish. It will age effortlessly through 2032.Prices:
BC$72.00750ml
Producer: Phantom Creek Estates
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1 Mill Road Syrahtext
91PTS

1 Mill Road Syrah 2024

Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe 2024 Syrah continues 1 Mill Road's cross border program, sourcing fruit from Coyote Canyon Vineyard in Washington State's Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The colour is dense, and the nose is packed with savoury, aromatic, meaty black fruit and refined, powdery tannins. The palate is rich and layered, mixing red cherry, raspberry, violet, wild herbs, pepper, and savoury spice. The finish brings in the chalk and minerality that keep it fresh and balanced. Definitely Rhône-esque with a refreshing Washington / BC twist.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: 1 Mill Road Vineyards
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05 October 2026

Maan Farms Mad Pumpkintext
87PTS

Maan Farms Mad Pumpkin NV

Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Mad Pumpkin opens with a rich aroma of baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and brown sugar. The palate is lush and sweet, with warming fruit, hints of caramel, sweet pumpkin, and the same baking spices. Serve it well chilled with your favourite holiday pies or pumpkin desserts. You could also treat it like a tawny port and serve it as a seasonal fireside drink.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
Producer: Maan Farms Estate Winery
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Mad Appletext
88PTS

Mad Apple NV

Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLike the Mad Pumpkin, the Apple edition is defined by its intense spice. Look for autumnal apple pie that blends sweet and tart apple with classic baked apple spicing. Apple fans will love the fresh apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg that runs through the wine, along with its long, sweet, smooth finish. It really is homemade apple pie in a glass. Cue a piece of warm apple pie.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
Producer: Maan Farms Estate Winery
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Maan Farms Strawberry Rhubarbtext
88PTS

Maan Farms Strawberry Rhubarb 2025

Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of Maan Farm's better labels is the Strawberry Rhubarb. It opens with fresh orange and strawberry, then moves to a rich palate of candied strawberry compote, with a touch of herbaceousness and acidity to keep the finish from getting cloying. Ready to drink, and grilled salmon is a recommended pairing. Serve well chilled.Prices:
BC$22.99750ml
Producer: Maan Farms Estate Winery
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Maan Farms Blackberrytext
87PTS

Maan Farms Blackberry 2025

Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Blackberry label is fairly consistent. The intensity opens with ripe, smooth textures, but a herby undertow pulls it back from the edge. Blackberries have a natural tartness, and adding that to the finish makes for a much better wine in the mouth. Balancing the sugar can make all the difference in fruit wines, and this one does it with a black pepper note. A flourless chocolate cake would be a fine match here.Prices:
BC$26.45375ml
Producer: Maan Farms Estate Winery
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Maan Farms Blueberrytext
88PTS

Maan Farms Blueberry 2025

Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlueberries seem like a natural ingredient for a fruit wine. BC is the unofficial capital of blueberries, so supply is plentiful. The nose smells surprisingly like blueberries, with just a dusting of herbal, leafy notes. The palate is soft, sweet, tangy, and spicy, with more intense blueberry and a fresh, cleansing finish. This is fun to sip, but it also works in marinades, salad dressings, and sauces. Spicy dishes like chilli chicken wings are also a fine match. This one is a winner.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
Producer: Maan Farms Estate Winery
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02 October 2026

Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Zena Crown Vineyard Pinot Noirtext
95PTS

Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Zena Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Oregon Project began with the 2024 winter deep freeze in the Okanagan Valley, which left many BC wineries without any fruit at harvest. Winemaker Shane Munn and viticulturist Kurt Simcic looked south to Oregon for replacement grapes that would adapt as closely as possible to the demanding Martin's Lane style. The Zena Crown Vineyard has a reputation for producing fresh, structured, small, intense berries and savoury dark fruit. In fact, I found the Zena Crown riper and more savoury, with some reduction throughout its flinty, mineral, stemmy, spicy palate streaked with black cherry, black raspberry, and rhubarb. It is a big, rich, round pinot with fine grained tannins that let this Gevery Chambertin-like red slip down easy. The fruit was picked and trucked across the border overnight. Fermentation in concrete with 40% whole clusters was spontaneous, maceration lasted 18 days, and the wine aged 10 months in tight grained French and Austrian oak. The alcohol is a modest 13%.Prices:
BC$115.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Tombolo Vineyard Rieslingtext
93PTS

Martin's Lane Tombolo Vineyard Riesling 2025

Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe newest vineyard designated riesling in the Martin's Lane portfolio comes from Tombolo, a steep, amphitheatre shaped site in Lake Country, planted at more than 10,000 vines per hectare. The high density vineyard yields small bunches, tiny yields, and elevated, concentrated fruit without sacrificing natural acidity. Aromas of lime zest, green apple, delicate white blossoms and wet stone leap from the glass. Despite 35 g/L of residual sugar, the palate remains vibrant and focused, driven by piercing acidity and a mineral spine that keeps every flavour in balance. Citrus, tropical fruit, orchard fruit, and lime persist through a long, energetic finish marked by precision and freshness. A compelling example of how site, acidity, and restraint can transform sweetness into texture and complexity rather than weight. Another Mosel-like offering to add to the repertoire of fine BC riesling.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Sperling Vineyard Rieslingtext
94PTS

Martin's Lane Sperling Vineyard Riesling 2025

East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDrawn from one of British Columbia's oldest riesling vineyards, planted in 1948, the '25 Sperling Vineyard Riesling showcases the depth and complexity that only mature vines can deliver. Aromas of white flowers, lime blossom, flint, peach, and wet stone emerge from the glass with impressive intensity. The palate is succulent and layered, combining ripe citrus, orchard fruit, melon, and subtle tropical tones with a silky texture. Despite 25 grams of residual sugar, the wine remains remarkably poised, thanks to vibrant acidity that energizes every sip. A lingering mineral note and faint phenolic grip frame a long, complex finish. Rich yet precise, this is a compelling expression of old vine Okanagan riesling with excellent aging potential, all at 8.5% alcohol.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Simes Vineyard Rieslingtext
93PTS

Martin's Lane Simes Vineyard Riesling 2025

South Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimes Vineyard is a cool, sheltered lakeside vineyard, yielding a delicate, restrained, elegant nose and a wine that leaks minerality from front to back. Look for a bright citrus demeanour with crystalline lime, lime blossom, orange, tangerine, white blossoms, and chalk. Simes Vineyard is a steep, north facing vineyard whose granite soils lie just a few kilometres south of the 50°N mark, and traditionally is the last picked at Martin's Lane. The Alsace clone 49 vineyard is certified Ecocer. Terrific riesling for riesling lovers.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Open Claim Pinot Noirtext
94PTS

Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Open Claim Pinot Noir 2024

Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesOpen Claim opens with spectacular aromas that speak to its lavish style, featuring roses and violets mingled with candied cherry and refined toasty notes. The palate is equally compelling, medium to full bodied, with spicy, earthy dried fruit. The tannins are supportive but not overpowering and well polished. At this youthful stage, duck would be a solid pairing. The fruit comes from Mt. Pisgah in Polk County in the Willamette Valley. Geoff ponders: Morey-Saint-Denis in style? The vineyard sits on marine sedimentary soil, is dry farmed and certified organic.Prices:
BC$115.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Rieslingtext
91PTS

Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Riesling 2025

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Naramata Ranch is a spectacular site with topography and geology that is a winegrower's dream. It's mostly rock, but upon closer examination, you find a mix of red granite on the surface overlying granite bedrock. The vines are approaching 50 years old, rooted to an unknown clone. On the palate, the style is generally opulent, with floral opening notes and a mix of lemon, lime, and the zest of limes and oranges, with a touch of savoury desert scrub. Complex and dry, it is currently somewhat unsettled and warming, but will no doubt harmonize over the next ten years under screwcap. The Ranch sits at the northern end of the Naramata Bench, at Latitude 49.67˚, running up against the mountains of Chute Lake.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Hyland Vineyard Rieslingtext
91PTS

Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Hyland Vineyard Riesling 2025

McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Oregon Project began with the 2024 winter deep freeze in the Okanagan Valley, which left many BC wineries without fruit at harvest. Winemaker Shane Munn and viticulturist Kurt Simcic looked south to Oregon for replacement grapes that best matched the demanding Martin's Lane style. The Hyland opens with a more overt botrytis character, featuring honey, ginger, smoke, green apple, and orange, with a smoky, savoury finish. Overall, it is a drier, rounder riesling with a glycerol-aided silky texture and fine balance, ready to drink.Prices:
BC$65.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Miranda Vineyard Rieslingtext
93PTS

Martin's Lane Miranda Vineyard Riesling 2025

Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesMartin's Lane Miranda Vineyard Riesling comes from Oregon's Dundee Hills. It is one of several labels winemaker Shane Munn produced after the 2024 deep freeze left him with no usable grapes in BC. It had 48 hours of skin contact, giving it a dense, extracted style with pronounced dry extract. Quite mineral and wet-stone, with mostly orange and tangerine mixed with orange blossom and flecked with honey and tea. We love the tension and balance, amd the refreshing dry finish despite 8.5 grams of residual sugar. It also has a slight exotic character, thanks to 20% of the fruit arriving with botrytis.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Juliustext
91PTS

Martin's Lane Julius 2025

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJulius is Martin's Lane's take on blouge wine, the increasingly fashionable red-white hybrid style that sits somewhere between a pale red, a rosé, and a chillable, aromatic co-ferment. In this case, the '25 blends two varieties harvested on the same day: Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir from East Kelowna, accounting for 75% of the blend; and Fritzi's Vineyard Riesling from West Kelowna, contributing the remaining 25%. The name may be playful, but the style is more than a novelty. Spontaneous carbonic fermentation with 50% whole clusters and a 12 day maceration give Julius its juicy, high toned personality. At the same time, six months in neutral Austrian oak keep the texture fine and the fruit front and centre. Expect a lively, delicious, lightly structured wine with earthy, spicy cherry notes and a vibrant palate. Best served slightly chilled.Prices:
BC$75.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noirtext
96PTS

Martin's Lane The Oregon Project Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesSourced from one of Oregon's oldest landmark pinot vineyards, and made with the Coury clone planted in 1975, the Hyland pinot wine has an exuberant nose of bright, pure red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, lightly dusted with spice and earth. Finesse over power leaves a savoury, medium-weight pinot on the right side of savoury / meaty, with polished, suave tannins and a silky, refined finish. Highly attractive on the nose and in the finish, all at 13% alcohol. The style reflects the slightly cooler McMinnville AVA. Back up the truck.Prices:
BC$115.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's The Oregon Project Lane Gregory Ranch Pinot Noirtext
91PTS

Martin's The Oregon Project Lane Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir 2024

Yamhill Carleton, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Oregon Project began during the 2024 winter deep freeze in the Okanagan Valley, which left many BC wineries, including Martin's Lane, without fruit. Winemaker Shane Munn and viticulturist Kurt Simcic looked south to Oregon for replacement grapes. They found several sources that, in the end, proved as close a fit as possible to the demanding Martin's Lane style. Gregory Ranch Vineyard sits in the forested foothills of the Coast Range in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, surrounded by Douglas fir, oak, and pine, in a wilder, cooler landscape that helps explain the wine's earthy, structured character. The site is closely associated with Josh Bergström, whose Bergström Wines first used Gregory Ranch fruit in the 2010 vintage. It has long been known for Pinot Noirs of concentration, savoury depth, tannic grip, and lower alcohol intensity. In 2024, clone 828 brings that profile into focus: striking, earthy, and rustic, with firm structure, length, and complexity rather than simple fruit sweetness. It finished at a moderate 13.5% alcohol.Prices:
BC$115.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Rieslingtext
92PTS

Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2025

West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's Vineyard is a small property at 49.838˚N, just below Mission Hill Family Estate at the base of Mt. Boucherie, a long-dormant volcano in West Kelowna. The parcel faces southeast and is named after owner Anthony von Mandl's mother. It has been a reliable producer year in and year out, and in 2025 winemaker Shane Munn believes it is among the best. The clone 21B vines are now over a quarter century old and typically give this dry wine a restrained mineral base, with dry tangerine and lime, with harmonious streaks of pear, and bright acidity. Surely one of the best rieslings in North America. The fermentation is spontaneous in German oak casks and includes minimal six hour skin contact.Prices:
BC$65.00750ml
Producer: Martin's Lane Winery
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01 October 2026

Township 7 Interlude Redtext
89PTS

Township 7 Interlude Red 2024

United StatesThe Interlude Red is a replacement wine made with an unusual mix of pinot noir (42%), cabernet sauvignon (29%), merlot (20%), and syrah (9%), crafted in an obvious fruit forward style. The pinot noir and syrah come from Four Palms Vineyard in Sonoma's Russian River Valley, while the cabernet sauvignon and merlot come from Double D Vineyard in Washington State's Rocky Reach AVA. The nose is an inviting black cherry, strawberry affair with notable brown spice. The palate is soft, round, and juicy with gentle tannins and a long, juicy, spicy finish. This is a perfect barbecue red for grilled meats or chicken.Prices:
BC$29.97750ml
Producer: Township 7 Vineyards and Wineries
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Moon Curser Border Vinestext
88PTS

Moon Curser Border Vines 2024

Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2024 vintage followed the devastating January cold snap that severely impacted the region's grape crop. Moon Curser kept some vines alive, and those grapes, along with some from neighbours in the deep south Okanagan, allowed production of a limited quantity of Border Vines. Look for a medium to dark ruby hue that hints at ripe black cherry, cassis, plum, and red currant sprinkled with desert sagebrush. Lightish, soft, round, and easy to sip, you can drink this now and over the next three to five years. The fruit is a blend of 63% cabernet franc, 22% merlot, and 15% cabernet sauvignon. It is destemmed, not crushed, and ferments in stainless steel. It is aged for one year in French oak, of which 24% is new.Prices:
BC$34.99750ml
Producer: Moon Curser
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Castello Romitorio Romitoriotext
91PTS

Castello Romitorio Romitorio 2022

Tuscany, ItalyRomitorio is an older style Super Tuscan, featuring a 50/50 blend of syrah and petit verdot grown in Maremma and aged in concrete and oak. The nose is dark berried, with floral violets underscoring its rich palate. The attack layers black fruits, wild forest floor, dried herbs, and Tuscan countryside scents. It is stylish enough for a Super Tuscan but slightly more approachable and affordable than most. You can enjoy this with a steak or an old piece of Reggiano. Good value.Prices:
BC$45.99750ml
AB$39.95750ml
ON$38.95750ml
Producer: Castello Romitorio
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Let It Bee Organic Cabernet Merlot Tempranillotext
88PTS

Let It Bee Organic Cabernet Merlot Tempranillo 2024

Valencia, Valencia and Murcia, SpainI like these Let it Bee wines because they're juicy and fun to drink. The twist-off natural cork is equally easy to pull and replace. I'm not sure the cabernet adds much to the tempranillo and merlot in the blend, beyond a touch of astringency on the finish. Otherwise, the upfront fresh berries, mixed with plums and raspberries, welcome you in. The acidity is bright, and the palate is dry. It will need some food to round out the edges and soften the tannins, but it won't take much to tame this gulpable red. Grilled vegetables, burgers, or a meaty pasta dish all work here. Find it at Liberty Wine Merchants.Prices:
BC$24.99750ml
Producer: Citizen Wine Limited
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Painted Rock Red Icontext
91PTS

Painted Rock Red Icon 2023

Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2023 was an up-and-down year across the Okanagan, beginning with bud damage from a winter cold snap. Painted Rock escaped the worst with only some syrah damage, leaving the 55/20/15/10 merlot / petit verdot / cabernet sauvignon / malbec Icon blend to proceed as normal. In fact, this is an intense Icon with rich, elevated violets and black fruits, with some chocolate and plenty of spicy, peppery notes in the finish. The palate is no less concentrated, with fiery, peppery fruit, firm tannins, and a fresh finish. Time in the bottle is the story here. Five years is a good start, but it will easily age a decade. If you are a big red fan, you can open this now with a rare T-Bone steak or a lamb shoulder dish. The '23 Icon was barrel aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak.Prices:
BC$79.99750ml
Producer: Painted Rock Estate Winery
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Famille Sichel Château Daviaudtext
88PTS

Famille Sichel Château Daviaud 2023

Bordeaux, FranceI loved the 2022 Daviaud, but the 2023 lacks the density and charm that fill the '22's mid-palate. The nose is fragrant, with pithy cranberry and cherry. The palate is medium weight, with bright acidity rising through the finish. Elegant and fresh, but it needs a bit of grilled meat or mushrooms to cut through the finish. In the late 1960s, the Sichel Family established itself in the southern part of Côtes de Bordeaux by setting up the Bel Air cellar, becoming the first Bordeaux negociant to possess its own winemaking cellar. In 2002, the family purchased Château Argadens in Saint André du Bois, and at the start of 2020, they took control of Château Daviaud, a property they already knew. The vineyards are planted on slopes facing south/south-west on the right bank of the Garonne River. The winemaking is traditional, and the wine ages in oak for six months.Prices:
BC$21.99750ml
Producer: Famille Sichel
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1 Mill Road Syrah / Pinot Noirtext
90PTS

1 Mill Road Syrah / Pinot Noir 2024

1 Mill Road Syrah Pinot Noir 2024 is a true international blend. The pinot noir (44%) escaped the deep freeze on the Naramata Bench, while the syrah (56%) was grown in Washington State's Horse Heaven Hills, where outstanding syrah has been a fixture for more than two decades. The texture is the centrepiece of this red: soft and slippery, yet with impressive black fruit and structure throughout, finishing with cleansing minerality. This one is a winner by any measure.Prices:
BC$38.00750ml
Producer: 1 Mill Road Vineyards
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Domaine Artema La Petite Morttext
86PTS

Domaine Artema La Petite Mort NV

CanadaLa Petite Mort was inspired by fortified wines from Banyuls and Portugal. Sold in 200mL bottles, the wine is a 47/40/13 blend of zinfandel, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon. It began in 2018 as a merlot and cabernet sauvignon blend, which was halted before completion by the addition of distillate to fortify the wine and retain some residual sugar. Six years later, they blended that wine with zinfandel and aged it another three months in American oak. The style is rustic and lacks the sweetness and roundness of a Tawny or Banyuls label. Still, it has a modicum of charm, with sweet cassis and vanilla before the alcohol kicks in, leaving a spicy, peppery finish. More time in the barrel would be welcome. It could be the start of an annual process that helps it mellow over time, say closer to the ten-year mark. The winery match is sea salt caramel chocolate.Prices:
BC$27.90200ml
Producer: Domaine Artema
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