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Tastings: August 2017
31 August 2017
91PTS
Kendall-Jackson Jackson Estate Outland Ridge Pinot Noir 2014
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesThe Kendall Jackson style is always hedonistic, but it is clear over the last half decade they are toning it down in a way that will appeal to both the pinot sniffers and those who are okay with the richer, mouth filling style. This has nothing to do with Burgundy but everything to do with the Anderson Valley and the wild Sonoma Coast. The nose is a mix of raspberry, pepper, smoky, blueberry, mocha with a savoury undercurrent of celery salt, plus vanilla aromas. The attack is clean, fresh, juicy and elegant but with intensity and more peppery, savoury, herbal, compost notes with a vanilla, licorice finish. The fruit is grown in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley’s along a high eastern ridge, on broken rock in thin, powdery soil similar to a Goldridge classification. Remote, distant, yet memorable. Bring on the duck, quail, turkey and smoke meats.Prices:| BC | $56.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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30 August 2017
88PTS
Cims del Montsant 2012
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainMonsant is a stone’s throw (or is that a piece of llicorella) from nearby and highly heralded Priorat region. The mix is carignan and garnacha planted at a dizzying 530 meters above sea-level. Expect a rich, round, sunbaked red full of black cherries, intense wild blackberries and tempered by a plummy licorice finish. The tannins remain youthful and gritty calling for grilled sausages or venison. We love the value here and you can age this wine too. A BCLDB exclusive means it's everywhere and cheap – the monopoly has its privileges.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.82 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Honoro Vero Organic Monastrell 2015
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainHighly perfumed red fruits, resinous thorns, heady carnations and anise on this bright, tight, organic, dry-farmed, limestone-soiled monastrell from Jumilla. Surfing crunchy acidity, fine, gritty tannins house the streamlined flow to a medicinal, amaro-finused, quite warm (14.5 percent) finish. Interesting and intense; if Campari was dry and compacted, I reckon it would be this. Rack of lamb or pork ribs would rock with this.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Can Blau Kia Montsant 2013
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainAnise, broken stone, wild blackberry lead this perfumed and wild Montsant. One of the great value wine regions of the world, Monsant is a horseshoe around Priorat, sharing many of the same soils and all of the grapes. This is driven with the area's singular llicorella (slate) soils, buzzes with limestone and is grounded with the clay along a tightly mineral and textural palate, perfumed with violets, anise and light peppery spicing. Finishes warm, and yearning for lamb or wild boar. This is a blend of garnacha, cariñena and syrah that has spent one year maturing in French oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $25.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
EntreSuelos Tempranillo Red Wine 2013
Castilla-Leon, SpainPotent and dense, reflective of the sun-baked and wild Castilla y Leon region. The tempranillo here is planted on sandy soils in Zamora's El Pego and Villanueva de Campean, fermented in stainless and aged in French oak for six months. Smoked blue and black fruit, thorns, black liquorice, dark florals, cola and sap are drawn by sticky, thick tannins to a hot, shorter finish. There's a lot stuffed into this rustic wine, requiring richer grilled meats to match.Prices:| BC | $19.19 | 750ml |
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29 August 2017
88PTS
Hacienda Lopez de Haro Blanco 2016
Rioja, SpainThis white wine from La Rioja, traditional red wine country, is produced with one hundred percent viura. The vines are old and like most of Spain, the soils are sparse. The grapes are cold-soaked, four to six hours, before they are fermented in French oak barrels for three months. Expect a creamy lemony nose and a fresh citrus mid-palate with notes of pear and a pleasant touch of sandalwood spice in the finish. A modern, clean take on viura with just enough wood to take on a variety of mid-weight dishes. Chicken, fish and cheese all work here. Super value and a wine made and priced for restaurant wine lists.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Little Farm Pied de Cuve Orange 2016
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA new release, and the first orange, from Similkameen's organic Little Farm Winery, this riesling was foot trodden and left to ferment on the skins with native yeasts before gentle pressing to stainless. Rhys and Alishan were thinking they'd transfer it to neutral barrel, but after tasting this characterful wine, decided to bottle it unfined and unfiltered after six months on the lees. Glowing orange hue, this streams apricot oil and tangerine oil on a lean, tight, nimble frame. Green apple skin, salt are finely grippy on the palate, finishing on a snappy note. Authentic, impressive, smashable.Prices:| BC | $26.80 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Lock and Worth Semillon 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA naturally-made stunner, this is from a single vineyard in Kelowna planted in 1993, fermented wild and whole cluster pressed before fourteen months on full solids in neutral French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered (evident from the ample clumps of harmless solids at the bottom of the bottle). Understated confidence, and two years old (as a current release) this is savoury and hay textured, with scents of quince before a palate textured with earthy lees, flax, wildflower honey and bitter apple / pear skins. Flake sea salts echo on the lengthy finish. This is impressive now, and will be even more so with semillon's honeyed sheen over the next decade.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Protea Chenin Blanc 2016
Western Cape, South AfricaProtea chenin blanc pays hommage to South Africa's national flower. The wine is fresh and bright with fine ripe melon character, pear, greengage and nectarines. The attack is similar but with a creamy texture reflecting some time on the lees. I love the fresh, carefree style and could use more of this from other inexpensive white wines in the marketplace. Stock up. Superb value. Needs screwcap to make inroads in this market.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
The Hatch Life Cycle of a Hobo 2016
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf you think that 'Life Cycle of a Hobo' doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue, try müller-thurgau. This is thirty year old müller-thurgau from a single vineyard in East Kelowna. Perfumed and floral gooseberries, peach, apricot kernel and an alluring in a compact, lean, dry frame. There's a grip of peach fuzz to texture, and an alluring bitter note on the snappy finish. This shows m-t in a whole new light - not soft and floral and flabby, but taut and dry and characterful.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ciumes Verdejo 2015
SpainTake notice. This super fresh, well-crafted verdejo over delivers from its nose to the finish. Love the melon, pear, citrus nose and fleshy, perfectly bitter nectarine fruit with just a touch of spice as it spills across the palate. Youthful bright, rambunctious, clean fun and miles ahead of the many cheap white blends that dot wine shops shelves in BC. We loved it with a buttery halibut dish.Prices:| BC | $13.82 | 750ml |
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28 August 2017
86PTS
Boutari Moschofilero 2016
Mantinía, Peloponnese, GreeceFrom Greece wine royalty, Boutari has been making wine for more than 130 years, and rule the market both locally and internationally. This is 100 percent moschofilero from Mantinia's hillside vineyards, fresh at 650m. Three months in stainless before bottling is meant to keep the crisp, bright fruit : green and yellow apples, lemon, grass, white blossom and cantaloupe, perfumed with a ginger haze on a clipped finish. Clean and compact, lean and bright, and perfect with simple clams.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Planeta Cometa 2015
Sicily, ItalyThis comet is a full-bodied fiano, ripe with quince, fleshy white peach, almond blossom, chamomile, acacia, Mediterranean herbal scrub scenting the generous palate. This was grown on lime-chalk soils, affording a pixelated lemon acidity and stream of saltiness that rockets this upwards. Apricot and sea salts lingers on the lengthy finish. Impressive showing, this is a brightly shining wine even at 14 percent - part of the striking allure of Sicily.Prices:| BC | $43.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Planeta La Segreta Bianco 2015
Sicily, ItalyEstablished in 1995, Planeta is based on 17 generations of agriculture on Sicily (since 1500s). La Segreta takes its name from the woods that surrounds the winery's vineyard at Ulmo. 50 percent grecanico (aka garganega), 30 percent chardonnay, 10 percent each of viognier and fiano has spent time in stainless steel to preserve the bright fruit. Light floral, almond blossoms, pear, yellow apple ride along a slick of lees to the snappy finish. Tart and fresh and salty, and so Mediterranean, this was meant for summer seafood: think prawns or clams.Prices:| BC | $17.39 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Les Crêtes Mon Blanc NV
Aosta Valley, ItalyLes Crêtes makes about 20,000 cases of wine a year from fruit grown in Italy’s Aosta Valley. This vineyard boasts a 16th Century Côteau la Tour (tower) situated at the highest point of the vines. The soils are a mixture of sand and calcareous rocks, 650 to 800 metres above sea level, and the vines, both indigenous and international vinifera, include petite arvine, petit rouge, fumin, mayolet, cornalin, chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah and muscat. The mon blanc is a property blend that sees no oak but does undergo six months of sur lies maturation with continual batônnage. The style is juicy with a mix of fresh fruit reminiscent of peaches and green apple with the aforementioned lees, citrus and a stony undercurrent. Perfectly dry, it will go with most seafood options including white fish, clams, mussels and crab.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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25 August 2017
91PTS
Scribe Skin Fermented Chardonnay 2015
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesFrom Carneros' loam and volcanic tuff soils, this is Scribe's chardonnay in the distinctive squat bottle (to differentiate from their chardy not on skins). The singular wine and packaging is the result of was an experiment trialled when the winery's 809 clone grapes weren't behaving ideally. This was native fermented on the skins for three months in concrete, adding stony grip and herbal texture to the fine, bright and precise citrus and green apple fruit. An oxidative note swings throughout, adding additional interest. Certainly not your typical Cali chardy (and that's a very good thing).Prices:| ON | $63.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Raen Winery Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
United StatesIn the case of Freestone – Occidental bottling you simply get pure finesse. The intense dark red fruits boast a ridiculously silky texture that slides across the palate and melts in your mouth. Long and persistent in flavour the finish is equally light and airy, yet intense. Bodega Vineyard sits among the redwoods, wild flowers, coastal oaks near the town of Freestone. Cool calm and sophisticated this is star bottle of California pinot noir. Carlo and Dante Mondavi have deep roots in the wine business, influenced from a very young age by their father Tim Mondavi and their grandfather Robert Mondavi. Tim Mondavi was a pinot pioneer back in the 1970s and as good as some of those wines were, well to hack an old phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet. My initial tasting of the Raen (Research Agricultural Enology Naturally) wines was so exciting at first I thought maybe these wines may have been from somewhere else. All three labels use the same techniques (The ferment is 75% whole cluster using native yeasts and the juice ages 10 months in neutral 60-gallon French oak before its bottled without fining or filtration) to put the emphasis on place.Prices:Read Full Note
94PTS
Raen Winery Raen Royal St. Robert Cuvée Pinot Noir 2015
United StatesCarlo and Dante Mondavi have deep roots in the wine business, influenced from a very young age by their father Tim Mondavi and their grandfather Robert Mondavi. Tim Mondavi was a pinot pioneer back in the 1970s and as good as some of those wines were, well to hack an old phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet. My initial tasting of the Raen (Research Agricultural Enology Naturally) wines was so exciting at first I thought maybe these wines may have been from somewhere else. All three labels use the same techniques (The ferment is 75 percent whole cluster using native yeasts and the juice is aged 10 months in neutral 60-gallon French oak before it is bottled without fining or filtration) to put the emphasis on place. The Raen Royal St. Robert Cuvée is a best barrels bottling that offers a solid overview of the cool Sonoma Coast, not to mention some beautiful silky tannins. Floral notes over wild strawberries and perfectly ripe Bing cherries disappear into a savoury, stony, forest floor and black tea finish. The Mondavis liken the whole cluster and using lots of stems technique to leaving the bone in when you cook a steak. Along with better flavour you are raising the Ph and lifting the fragrance. Impressive.Prices:Read Full Note
92PTS
Raen Winery Fort Ross Seaview Home Field Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
United StatesThe Raen Fort Ross Seaview bottling is more about the California style although the alcohol is a sensible 13.0 percent and it remains the most ethereal. The Home Field Vineyard sits out on the Western Sonoma Coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean just north of Jenner at 1200 feet of elevation, escaping the fog most summer mornings. The fruit, all clone 777, is dark yet cool, with earthy barnyard notes dominating over plums and smoky dried herbs. In a warm year and the fourth of a drought, the Mondavis have done a masterful job of allowing this wine to really strut its stuff. Carlo and Dante Mondavi have deep roots in the wine business, influenced from a very young age by their father Tim Mondavi and their grandfather Robert Mondavi. Tim Mondavi was a pinot pioneer back in the 1970s and as good as some of those wines were, well to hack an old phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet. My initial tasting of the Raen (Research Agricultural Enology Naturally) wines was so exciting at first I thought maybe these wines may have been from somewhere else. All three labels use the same techniques (The ferment is 75 percent whole cluster using native yeasts and the juice ages 10 months in neutral 60-gallon French oak before it's bottled without fining or filtration) to put the emphasis on place.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Santi Solane Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2015
Verona, Veneto, ItalySanti dates back to 1843, when Carlo Santi established a wine cellar behind the Lessini Mountains in the heart of Valpolicella. The blend is 70 percent corvina and corvinone, and 30 per cent rondinella, and 100 percent impressive. Clean and dry, the fruit is soft and fleshy with just a hint of spice. The plate is a mix of black fruit and black licorice and just a whiff of chocolate, all in perfect balance. Post ferment the wine is stored in stainless steel until the grapes are dried and pressed. It is then repassed over the lees of the Amarone, spending another twenty days on the skin to add body and depth, before 18 months in cask and barrels. It takes its name from the word for the rooms with no ceilings, known as olane. These are rooms where the grapes are racked to receive plenty of sunlight, helping to partially dry the fruit.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $28.79 | 750ml |
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24 August 2017
89PTS
Terravista Viognier 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe and full, in the viognier-way, this glows with ripe apricot, peach and nectarine, scented with acacia blossoms and sharpened with gingersnap and lime peel. There's a salty, snappy bitterness on the hot finish which holds the grape's sun-sweetened nature in check. Reflective of the 2016 warmth, this is a massive wine at 14.5 percent. If you are looking for a warming, full and powerful aromatic white, look no further. Drinking well now, and will cellar well.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Terravista Viognier 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe like to say this viognier is Naramata meets Condrieu thanks to its rich, expansive, creamy palate. In 2016 the nectarine/apricot skin aromas mix effortlessly with perfumed mandarin orange sand ginger. The palate is soft but juicy with a touch of bitterness that keeps the ripe fruit in line. I prefer these wines young but others will revel in this bottle with two or three years more of ageing. Pair this with a lobster roll or a mild curry.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Haynes Creek Single Vineyard Viognier 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDense, ripe and rich style with sun-warmed, aromatic apricot, peaches and pears, sourced from Haynes Creek Vineyard. A fermentation split between French barriques (40 percent), concrete egg (30 percent) and 30 percent barrel and foudre, makes for an expressive, layered and textural wine albeit adding to viognier's inherent girth. Five months on the lees in oak/concrete further upped the ante. Honeysuckle, honeydew, acacia blossoms and jasmine complete the package. Not shy, enjoy this off-dry and full-bodied wine solo, or alongside honey shellacked ribs. Next time a bit more freshness would really help this wine sing.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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23 August 2017
91PTS
Pearl Morissette Chardonnay Cuvée Dix Neuvième 2014
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaNiagara's leading naturalist producer (rather, Canada's iconic naturalist producer), Morissette's 2014 chardonnay is from their 19th street vineyard on Twenty Mile Bench, whole bunch pressed and native ferment in old foudres. The wine rested on its lees in the same vessels, without battonage, for 15 months and was bottled unfiltered and unfined. Earthy and textural, with green apple skin, pear skin, bitter lemon and meadow herbs, bedded with some wooly lees. There's a slight oxidative note weaving throughout, through to the lingering lemon peel finish. Savoury and characterful in youth; this will reveal and unknit with time.Prices:| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Norman Hardie County Chardonnay Unfiltered 2014
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaA Canadian classic, Norm Hardie's County Chard shows the heights that chardonnay can reach in this country. The 2014 is a stunner, though at this point still tight as nails compared to how it will show ten years from now. Densely packed but linear and streamlined, with characteristic reduction, subtle truffle oil, savoury nut shells, marmalade and a layer of herbal, salt flecked lees. So much juicy acidity tension here, the wine is buzzing with energy.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Malivoire Mottiar Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFrom Beamsville Bench's dolomitic limestone and clay soils, this is a lighter, bright orange pith chardonnay, steely and tingly on the palate. Impressive intensity in a lean and nimble frame.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Lightfoot and Wolfville Ancienne Chardonnay 2014
Nova Scotia, CanadaLightfoot and Wolfville is one of Nova Scotia's newer wineries, but one of Nova Scotia's pioneering quality grape growers. From Annapolis Valley's glacial till soils, this is three clones of chardonnay, fermented wild and whole bunch pressed before 18 months in French oak, 20 percent new. There were varying levels of solids, depending on the barrel and lot (some 500L wood used here also) and no sulphites at pressing. The affect is a swing of alluring reduction on the creamy, round palate. Concentrated with salted lemon curd, ripe green apple and a textural minerality through the finish. Impressive wine, and impressive winery to watch.Prices:| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Bachelder Johnson Vineyard Chardonnay 2013
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesFrom Bachelder's Oregon project, this is from Yamhill Carlton's Johnson Vineyard and its alluring Jory sedimentary soils. Beauty stony herbal notes open with a swing of reduction. The savoury, earthy theme continues on the palate, with large flake sea salts leading and fine citrus scenting the textural, medium-bodied core. Verve and energy, this is showing beautifully now, and will continue to impress with time in your cellar. I love Willamette chardonnay, and this typifies why. 91Prices:| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine de Mauperthuis Chablis Vieilles Vignes Las Malantes 2014
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFrom a higher altitude vineyard in Fleys, these 43-year-old old vines spent one year in foudres on the lees. Focused and direct, with stone, lemon pith and a slick of lees on the palate, gilding it with elasticity. Like licking wet rocks, this wine's taut form hums with stones. Lovely energy and confidence here.Prices:| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bachelder Wismer Foxcroft Vineyard 2015
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaBottled three weeks before tasting and already cohesive and knit. From the lower section of Twenty Mile Bench's Foxcroft Vineyard. Beautiful directness, with brisk mineral spicing driving perfumed pear, yellow apple skin, lemon blossom scenting a lovely weighted palate bedded with stony lees. This has a lovely vibrancy brightening the the wood, still knees and knuckles in youth but will merge and melt with the wine in time (which it certainly has ahead of it).Prices:| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marcel Cabelier Cremant du Jura Brut 2014
Savoie, FranceSearing and savoury organic blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pulsard from Savoie. Tangerine pith and peel is grounded with earthy and biscuit on the palate, afforded by 24 months on the lees. Smoked stone potency bases this, while pithy lemon drives the lean, dense frame to a humming finish. Lovely energy.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Esterházy Il Magnifico Blanc de Blancs 2013
AustriaPartially barrel fermented, this Burgenland chardonnay spent 18 months on the lees before bottling. Perfumed shaving cream, soft, dusky florals are velveteen and expansive on the palate. A brisk limestone-laced acidity brightens, leaving just a cloud of perfumed florals. Quite distinctive.Prices:| ON | $37.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Late Harvest Riesling 2016
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaPure, streamlined lime pulp, lemon blossom and ripe pear open mark this late harvest riesling, sourced from Fort Berens estate vineyard in Lillooet—harvested in early November 2016. Clean, bright and shining with pear, white honey, rosewater, petals, to lingering finish. At 90 g/l RS, this is certainly not lacking in sugar, but the acidity keeps it aloft. Drink with pear clafouti or peach creme caramel. Solid and very promising future for this style here.Prices:| BC | $20.70 | 375ml |
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87PTS
50 Degree Riesling 2013
Rheingau, GermanyNamed in honour of the 50th degree of latitude that runs through the Rheingau, this is a juicy, easy and approachable wine. Classic nose of honeyed pear, apricot, pearch blossom and light nectarine, with just a slight fuzzy grip around the edges. There’s an underlay of waxy, petrol sheen, typical of Rheingau, and a pithy clementine that lingers on the appropriately bitter finish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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22 August 2017
88PTS
Haywire Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard 2014
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGenerously ripe for a change which gives this pinot a chance to spread its mouth-filling wings. Lots of sweet cherries with brown spices (like Russian River) further plump this pinot up beyond its normally cool roots. The finish is long and soft with smoky sweet raspberry jam notes, sweet pipe tobacco and cinnamon. It was fermented wild and aged in concrete for 11 months giving it a soft sheen and an easy-drinking manner. Very hedonistic. Made to drink now this would be great in restaurants. Canyonview is a picture perfect little vineyard in upper Summerland, overlooking the wild Trout Creek Canyon.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Noir 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2015 pinot noir comes off five blocks and spent 14 months in French oak, reflective in the warm, plush and ripe palate. Raspberry jam, cassis, black plum, ripe blackberry and ample wood spice fills this dense and warm pinot, a complete swing on the spectrum from their lean, herbal and tart styles of past. Tannins are gritty and ripe, and the finish is warm. Ripe, warm, simple, juicy style you can drink now with salmon burgers or turkey paillard.Prices:| BC | $24.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Anthony Buchanan Pinot Noir Ashlyn 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNamed after winemaker Anthony Buchanan’s daughter Ashlyn, this 2015 pinot noir (clone 115) is sourced from ten-year-old Sonora Pines Vineyard in Oliver. Buchanan destems but does not crush this pinot that is pre-macerated for one week and open top fermented. Post ferment and punchdown the fruit is pressed off, and settled six hours, before it's racked in French oak for 13 months. The style is Russian River rich but not out of balance. The palate is lush, the tannins soft, the fruit a mix of dark berries, some cooked, that finishes with a cover of oak and vanilla. A safe, but solid effort in a warm year. Try this with baked salmon.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Noir 2015
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaEntirely Cowichan Valley, the 2015 Estate pinot is flushed out with 15 percent gamay grown on Blue Grouse's home estate. The fruit is picked and processed separately and aged for 18 months in barrel (16 percent new French oak; the balance in 2-3-year-old barrels) before being blended, fined, filtered and bottled. The nose is impressive, soft cherry, dark raspberry, brooding forest notes and worn wood all held snappy with bright acidity. The wine is perfectly, medium-bodied but the tannins are still a bit muddy and the finish still clipped. That said, a large improvement over last vintage, and a direction we hope the winery continues to pursue.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Grouse Quill Pinot Noir 2015
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Cowichan Valley grapes, this is a warm, soft and somewhat soupy pinot noir. After destemming and a stainless ferment, it’s pressed to two-to-three year old barrels; 66% French and 34% American. Sour cherry, cherry jam, soya and red currant are striated with wood and finish with warm hickory. There a lot more, than less here, which masks the character of this coastal pinot noir. Pair with salmon burgers or turkey paillard.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDark, black raspberry, sarsaparilla and black plum fill this single vineyard pinot noir, from the Chandra Vineyard on No. 5 Road in Oliver. More structured that the blended 2013 pinot noir, this is a steal at only $27. Softly worn leather beds mulberry, black plum, kirsch and downy dark cherry. Tannins are toothsomely nubile and the finish fades softly into a warm, spicy, balsamic, cola-lined darkness. That warmth requires something to counter - think duck, or bourbon slicked pork ribs. How lovely to taste a pinot noir when it's ready for release, rather than when the winery needs to sell.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHow refreshing is it to taste a local pinot noir released when the winery thinks it ready to drink, rather than when it needs to be sold. It's rarely a decision of quality, but rather economics - unfortunately, too oft the case in winemaking. This organically farmed 2013 spent 33 months in neutral oak, and is showing its age gracefully, with worn leather, dried raspberry scenting subtle cherry, earthy moss and tea leaf notes. Tannins are soft and nubile, with finely powdered cinnamon lingering. Pair with wild mushroom ragout over polenta, or wild rice and cranberries. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. To be revisited at Thanksgiving.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Noir +09/10 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDusky forest berries, black plum, sapid raspberries from vineyards on Naramata Bench fill this very soft pinot noir. Fifteen percent of the fruit is whole cluster fermented in the "terminator", their 2600L French oak wood fermentation tank. The wine is then barrel aged for 14 months. There's a wave of smoke on the finish, perhaps reflective of the late summer forest fires that spread smoke throughout the valley. Tannins are worn soft and gummy, housing the warm, soupy palate. The wood is well integrated, but the palate lacks a bit of freshness (a.k.a. acidity). Duck confit on a cool damp evening is the match.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Century Block 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt’s our first look at the Century Block and it doesn’t disappoint. The name is an hommage to the site that was home to over 100 different apple varieties back in the 1980s. Today the vineyard is planted to clones 666 and 777. You feel the richness of theses clones on the nose and the palate, taking me toward Central Otago. The fruit spends a year in new French oak and it seems to be able soak it up without too much bother. The flavours are darker (black fruits) and deeper than the Summa Quies with a savoury, sagebrush, spicy undercurrent. Soft, warm and silky this would be the perfect wine for duck. Impressive and definitely on track to become a Naramata terroir wine.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Summa Quies 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAfter 17 to 21 days of skin contact the wine is pressed off into 30 percent new, 30 percent second fill and 40 percent third fill French oak for one year. The wine is racked back to stainless steel for eight months then bottled and aged for a further 11 months. The nose is cool climate pinot with a savoury strawberry, plum fruit flecked with a touch of brown spice. The attack is fresh, the body light but balanced with a touch of sour cherry in the finish. Warm, dry and food-friendly it finishes with a wisp of smoke. Great to see this under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Acta Vineyard 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHowling Bluff has made some amazing progress over the last five years including going sustainable in a big way. No pesticides or chemical fungicides is welcomed by this writer and the plan to be a Net Zero power user by the early 2020s is impressive. Pinot noir is a big focus and winemaker Luke Smith and his son Daniel are all in. I am loving what we see in this 2014 Acta (beach) Vineyard pinot. The site is all 777 and planted on a western sloping ancient seabed. A decade of learning sees this pinot get about a year in oak, split almost evenly between new, one-year-old wood and two-year-old barrels. Sweet pinot spills from the glass redolent in cherries and strawberries, with a touch of savoury, brown spice. Soft, silky and warm it coats the palate in generous ripe red fruit. Well done.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ex Nihilo Pinot Noir Small Lot Barrel Reserve 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe small lot barrel reserve is just that: the best of the best bottled in small amounts. The blend is a mix of French clones 777,667 and 115 and the style is big and rich and spicy. The palate is a mix of ripe, jammy berry flavours, perhaps too sweet for some, that finish long, warm and spicy. There is that northern savoury undercurrent with bits of thyme and sagebrush to add complexity. The tannins are round and drinkable now. Lacks lift and freshness to be a great bottle. Serve with duck or pork.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ex Nihilo Pinot Noir 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe grapes come off two northern sites,Rise Vineyard and the Ex Nihilo in Lake Country, and go through a whole berry fermentation in stainless steel tanks before being aged nine months in French Oak barrels of which 20 percent are new. The nose is overripe with cooked plums and cherries that carry on to the sweetish, candied jam palate laced with vanilla. A bit too rich and lifted for us. Drink now with big spicy rich dishes.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire White Label Pinot Noir Secrest Mountain Vineyard 2015
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the Wise brothers' Secrest Mountain Vineyard north of Oliver, this was wild fermented and aged in concrete for 11 months. A trace reduced upon opening but ripe and sun-filled and flush with raspberry, cherry, plum fruits with a juicy swell of acidity, all bracketed by cedar and spice. Almost quaffable (there are a few grippy tannins in the backend), this is a youthful and approachable pinot that typifies the New Okanagan. Roast chicken or grilled salmon would be the match.Prices:| BC | $26.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Haywire Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard 2014
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweet raspberry, forest berries, stewed cherry and cinnamon spicing in the 2014 Canyonview Pinot Noir (yes, current release). Light smoke, raspberry jam amidst a cloud of blurry tannins and sweet pipe tobacco, this was fermented wild and aged in concrete for 11 months. Soft, round and meant to drink now, this is appealing for an everyday pinot.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mirabel Pinot Noir 2015
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMirabel Vineyards winery is owned by Doug and Dawn Reimer, long-time grape suppliers from their south east Kelowna vineyard to Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls. That wine is sold under the Reimer Vineyard moniker. The site in south east Kelowna is moderately steep with a cool, northwesterly aspect, and the soil a mix of alluvial and windblown silt over gravel. The vineyard is planted with a mix of French Pommard and Dijon clones farmed sustainably. Despite a hot growing season there is more red berries than black with flecks of brown spice and earthy/green forest floor which speaks to the site. The oak is subtle, the length medium long but balanced with a hint of minerality. There is no winery yet so the wine is made in Summerland under the tutelage of winemaker Matt Dumayne at Okanagan Crush Pad You can drink this wine now but I would wait until 2020. Anything with mushrooms would be a fine match. Production, and it’s small, is sold exclusively in Vancouver by New District. The wine was aged 11 months in Francois Freres French oak that was 30 percent new.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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21 August 2017
88PTS
Langmeil Shiraz Valley Floor 2014
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRipe, rich and structured, this Barossa shiraz spent two years in oak, 16 percent of which was new American, and the remainder older American and French. Potent blackberry, black cherry, ripe blueberry on the fleshy palate, filtered with eucalyptus and dark mocha. Tannins are sticky, but firm, and the finish echoes with kirsch and cracked pepper. Best with some sort of BBQ (winter squash, pork) to sop up the potency and alcohol (14.5 percent).Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve Syrah 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRoasted meats, smoked branch, resin, charcoal and black pepper and cherries fill the full palate of this Oldfield Reserve Syrah, sourced from the Diamondback Vineyard on Black Sage Bench, and the Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on Golden Mile Bench. This was co-fermented with two percent viognier before spending eight weeks on skins and pressing into French, Hungarian and American oak, one third of which was new. After 18 months in the woods, this is bottle rested for year prior to release. The wood is still front and centre here, with smoked stave, some gritty tannins and a blocky palate. Not ready for prime time yet; to be revisited in a year's time.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah +17/09 2015
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom The Perfect Hedge Vineyard, on Osoyoos' east bench, this sarah was fermented in three lots: the first cofermented with viognier in stainless; the second fermented in 500L open top French puncheons, and the last in The Ferminator, a large custom-built oak vessel that absorbed 80 percent carbonic maceration and 20 percent whole cluster. After fermentation, the wine spent 14 months in 35 percent new French oak. Dusky violet leaves, cassis, black peppery and cracked clove fill the smooth, streaming palate, one decorated with roasted coffee and tinged with smoke (a result of the 2015 forest fires throughout the Okanagan). This is easy to enjoy now, but with an edge that will draw in intermediate wine folk as well.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandTrinity Hill was one of the first to plant on the Gimblett Gravels, back in 1993. Winemaker Warren Gibson has been overseeing the 80ha of vineyards since 1997. This wine has fruit from both Tin Shed and Gimblett Stones vineyards. 20 percent was whole bunch pressed and all spent 14 months in new and used French oak barrels and 500L oak ovals. Dusky floral, violets, black pepper, shepherds pie, pretty florals, perfumed with 3 percent viognier. Very complete on the palate, with anise, light smoke filtering the peppered and pure black cherry and blackberry fruit, ripely sweet on the core. Tannins are dusty stones and the finish is bright. Settling into its age nicely, this is drinking very well now and will continue to impress with time.Prices:Read Full Note
91PTS
Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Syrah Middle Bench Vineyard 2014
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the first syrah from Similkameen's Clos du Soleil, and one worthy and fitting enough for the Grower's Series range. Sultry and dusky black pepper, slight smoke and ample perfumed dark florals fill this very generous, medium bodied red. Tannins are appropriately grippy, while piercing acidity drives the savoury blackcurrant and vanilla pod to the lengthy finish. Ripe, generous and peppery, with medicinal black cherry echoing on the finish. Lovely purity.Prices:| BC | $32.90 | 750ml |
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19 August 2017
88PTS
Tall Tale Wines Syrah Nouveau 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCalling itself a Syrah Nouveau, this is a carbonically macerated syrah (like Beaujolais Nouveau, but registering higher on the serious meter). As natural as can be (nothing added, nothing taken away), this Osoyoos, Soft black plum, thorny blackberries, sweet cherry jam and a film of resin on the juicy palate, one with soft tannins to house. Easy drinking, this lingers with violets and fine white peppery spice.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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18 August 2017
87PTS
Ex Nihilo Pinot Gris 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to 2014 but perhaps even richer, with sweet pink grapefruit and pineapple notes. The mid-palate is medium heavy with weighty, round fruit reminiscent of mango and papaya and candied lemons. Clearly a tropical version of pinot gris, but with a touch of resin and spice in the finish. This could work well with fresh cheeses, grilled chicken or pork kebabs.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Haywire Switchback Organic Vineyard Pinot Gris 2015
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThough pinot gris is the number one white grape planted in BC, this one is quite singular. From Haywire's home Switchback Vineyard in Summerland, farmed organically since 2011, this is 11-year-old clone 52 pinot gris, on east facing calcium carbonate-laced, gravelly soils. Pedro Parra and Alberto Antonini consult on this project, and this wine is a result of their precision agriculture. The entire site was GIS mapped, and farmed, harvested and processed in five distinct parts before being blended according to what the vintage and section of the vineyard provided. Native yeast ferment, full MLF and concrete tank aging (ten months on gross lees) aid complexity. Meadow grasses, wild flowers, sage and large flake salts texture pear skin and musk melon. Acidity is moderate (reflective of the sneaky hot 2015), slicked with honeysuckle and tinged with a piercing oxidative swing before the wash of salts lingering on the finish. In youth, this will build and knit with time.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2016
British Columbia, CanadaGingerale and yellow apple marks the 2016 gris. It’s riper, and this year feels much spicier (with ginger heat). The sweetness, 8 g/l of residual sugar and 14 percent oak adds some fat layers to the fruit but it seems to a muddle that is not entirely cohesive with the orange-laced acidity and some dry tannins. Disappointing given the year.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Evolve Pinot Gris 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA fairly consistent style here with classic honey, nectarines and floral undertones. The attack is fat and juicy with ripe peach, honey and red apple fruit that in 2016 has a better level of acidity. You can quaff this solo on the patio or serve with a fresh bean or pasta salad.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Desert Hills Pinot Gris 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of countless BC ripe, round, sweet pinot gris that are starting to look like the New Zealand labels. Sweet flavours of honeysuckle and ripe pear flavours coat the palate but there isn’t enough acidity to counterbalance that sugar in the finish. This requires something to eat that is spicy-hot, like barbecue ribs or a Thai curry to correct the Ph and make it more fun to drink. Best well-chilled and served solo on the patio.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santi Sortesele Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2016
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe grapes come mainly from vineyards in Trentino, grown on well drained alluvial soils with additional fruit from highly acclaimed zones in Friuli. The fruit is pressed, fermented and stored on its lees under a cold environment in stainless-steel tanks. Classic straw colour with green edges preview a fresh, dry elegant, floral entry of pears and dried orchard fruits. Fresh, clean and ready to drink, you can serve this with fish or summer chicken salads. In the Trentino dialect “sortesele” are 4,000-square-metre parcels of vineyards, which by tradition the heirs of an agricultural property would draw lots for. The best land went to the luckiest, thus preventing disputes between family members.Prices:| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweet orchard pear, golden delicious apple and light ginger ale mark this ripe, fuller-bodied pinot gris, mainly from the Thomas Ranch Vineyard just south of Okanagan Falls. Forty percent is fermented in French and American oak; the remainder in stainless steel. A bump of residual sugar floats above rest covering the fruit and shortening the length. Just too sweet for food unless its a super spicy Indian or Thai. Otherwise use as a solid base in a summer punch.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kris Pinot Grigio 2016
Veneto, ItalyCrisp, clean and consistent year after year, this Trentino Alto Adige estate has been growing wine grapes since 1880. Kris spent its life in stainless steel to preserve the crisp, fresh fruit. Crunchy green apple, pear, light citrus blossoms finish tight and snappy, with a little bump of RS to counter the acidity, and leaving the palate lingering with pine nuts and bitter almonds. Smart buy, especially considering there are 3 million bottles made annually.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Gris 2016
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaFrom some of the oldest pinot gris vines in BC, and one of the first vineyards on Vancouver Island, this Cowichan pinot gris was 1/5 fermented in new French oak with the remainder in stainless. Crunchy pear, green apple, white peach, lemon is plumped up with cedar spiced wood before a sour apple, lemon quirt, short finish. Disjointed now, best to pour this simple white with lemon dressed calamari.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Grouse Quill Pinot Gris 2016
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Cowichan-grown fruit, this pinot gris shows tight pear, citrus, cantaloupe and yellow apple, all kept crisp and fresh from stainless steel. There is a lining of lees to soften and cushion, making this even more approachable, especially with local scallops.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Roche Pinot Gris 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Roche tasting room is now open in Naramata, providing a perfect opportunity to pre-taste this pinot gris that is unlike most in the valley. The richness comes from a barrel fermentation in neutral French oak. You get the air and the lees, but not the oak. It rich and round but in a much more subtle manner, playing on ginger, pears and citrus flavours. This is food friendly and would be perfect with halibut and an orchard fruit salsa. Later this fall it would be perfect with a mushroom risotto.Prices:| BC | $23.40 | 750ml |
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17 August 2017
87PTS
Lang Vineyards Maréchal Foch 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the blackest foch I have ever seen and the signature Lang red made from 55-year-old vines plus; said to be the oldest vines on the Naramata Bench. The nose is and the attack is sweet preview some super ripe fruit. Ripe plums and figs dominate with an undercurrent of blueberries and light pepper. This is a tomato free, full-bodied red with a long sweet ripe finish that should appeal to foch fans. Best with powerful meats like lamb or venison. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Organic Marechal Foch 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSummerhill's Heritage Series give sus this Foch with the rich characters of roasted meats, wild blackberry, dusky plum and thorny resin fill the palate. This spent nine months in French and American oak which has amped up the structure and mid-plate of what is a potent red. Lashings of cedar, leather, smoked meats, rock salts season the black fruit, ending with an herbal-ended acidic clip. Best appreciated with fall menu items like roasted root vegetables and barley risotto. Ready to drink. Certified organic.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sea Star Marechal Foch 2016
Pender Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, CanadaThis is Pender Island estate grown marechal foch "crafted in a Beaujolais Nouveau style" which we take to mean carbonically macerated. Sweetly soft strawberry and raspberry gummies on a round and juicy core, spiced with fine and potent peppery notes. This is the closest thing to a serious "wine gummy" you will ever drink, and, chilled, might be your go-to local red to enjoy this summer on the patio or boat. 72 cases made.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
The Grinder Pinotage 2015
Western Cape, South AfricaThe BCLDB continues to tell the South African wine story through wines like The Grinder but I’m not sure it’s helping the cause. The fruit is warm and sweet, covered in a smoky, earthy sauce that finishes slightly bitter. A soft simple, fleshy red that finishes warm and short. Best with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.61 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.81 | 750ml |
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16 August 2017
89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve Cabernet Franc 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Tinhorn style is always open on the nose, here with smoky, spicy, black fruit overtones and classic cool, mossy, medicinal notes. The fruit comes off Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench, and is aged in French oak, now twenty-five percent new. There always a hint of mocha cherry cola and vanilla in this wine that could go in favour of a purer fruit flavour but this is a good example of south Okanagan cabernet franc and one of the best we have tasted from Tinhorn. It will improve with time under screwcap in the bottle. Best bet now is Texas barbecue style ribs.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Owen Cabernet Franc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the cellar. Owen was a 100 case run from Okanagan Crush Pad's Okanagan Wine Campus Program, which was awarded to the Vancouver Sommelier of the Year. For Owen Knowlton, the well-deserved recognition came in 2011. And what did he pick? Cabernet Franc, from Cerqueira Vineyard. This shows cab franc's massive potential in BC. This has worn its years very well, with burnished cassis, dark plum, wild blackberry, thorns, with supple, worn and earthy tannins. There's still a grippy tannic frame, but it is slight and yielding to the mustard seed finish. Acidity is bright, body is moderate (13.6% and reflective of the cool vintage) and drinkability is now. Cheers, Owen.Prices:Read Full Note
91PTS
Lock and Worth Square One Cabernet Franc V.4 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCabernet franc shows massive potential in BC, and is one of the very best red grapes suited to the Okanagan and Similkameen (IMHO). This is from low-interventionist producer Lock & Worth, so you know you're getting a clear-lens view of the grape. From two acres planted in 1995 on clay soils on Naramata Bench, this spent time in neutral French oak for 17 months before being bottled unfined and Unfiltered. A bolstered base of black plum and grippy matte tannins supports cherry, anise, red currants, scrubby rockrose thorns. Acidity is brisk, carving all this rebellious intensity into a relatively streamlined form, the whole textured with a scratchy minerality. Tasting very well in youth now, this will continue to reveal and stretch over the next five+ years easy. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ledlin Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA good start in a warm year fully ripened this cabernet franc, yet left its key dried leaves and black fruit fragrance. The tannins are a bit blocky and could use some finesse work but there is plenty to like about this youthful, rambunctious red. A little less obvious oak will set this northern fruit free to express the site and its full potential. For now, it is best with a T-bone steak.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lang Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Lang cab franc grows in the desert heat of Osoyoos. The nose has a warm, soft fruit character with bits of dried plums and cherries. The attack is soft and round with spicy, juicy, fragrant, black fruit flavours with soft tannins. This one is ready to drink with a meaty/mushroom pasta dish or with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Rouge 2016
Chinon, Touraine, Loire, FranceThere’s no denying the Loire style of cabernet franc, with its intense, fragrant, leafy, red fruit notes. In 2016 Raffault presents another tasty version, albeit more classic than the 2015. The elevated acidity and briary thorny notes are back to balance off the intense raspberries and cherry fruit that dominates the palate. A pepper steak is the ticket here, or lay this one away for three years. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Liber Farm and Winery Let Me Be Franc 2015
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCola perfumes this thorny, earthy, dry-ish cab franc from this new Similkameen Valley winery. The fruit is organically farmed and projects perfumed violets, plums, dried blackberries that spill on to a textured palate with a grippy stony spice. This young red will gain favour the longer it's opened, and works well now with grilled pork or lamb chops. A promising start with true varietal character.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
The Hatch Cabernet Franc 2015
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis captures cab franc's herbaceousness, the Okanagan's purity and generosity, and The Hatch's less-is-more winemaking style. One of their Hobo Series, this is from Mama D’s Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, with time in partial new American oak barrels and the remainder in neutral old French. Charming herbal and dusky plum, resinous wild blackberry and soft pepper, soft and cushioned on the voluminous palate without being obese and bloated. There's a tweak of acidity reining all in, and a tight grip of acidity on the sides to narrow to a buzzy, lifted finish. Beautifully drinkable now, ideally with pork. If my notes are correct, this has taken a considerable price leap over last year, but -amongst its Okanagan peers - is worth it.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Punto Final Cabernet Franc Reserva 2014
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe potential for cabernet franc is bright in Argentina, especially if you can achieve the floral, savoury, caraway, peppery nose they get at Punto Final. Ash-covered, black fruit aromas with smoky licorice notes preview ripe, round, soft, tobacco, coffee, black olive, blackberry fruit. Delicious stuff and ready to drink. Slow cooked lamb stew comes to mind, or a rich soft cheese. This will improve in the bottle for the next three years too.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
River Stone Cabernet Franc 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ’14 was good, but this might be better,Only tine will tell. This year the ripe black plum, cassis and wild blueberry fruit is balanced by a savoury, leafy, resiny undercurrent. The tannins are still sticky but slightly finer grained. The oak is supporting the long, black licorice notes to mark the finish. Give this a year or two to come together or serve it now with grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $27.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kitten Swish Here and Gone 2015
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNano-negoc Brad Royale worked with Laughing Stock's David Enns on this cab franc, the second release. 40 percent whole cluster inclusion (with stems) while the remainder was whole berry, this spent 45 days on the skins before pressing into an older puncheon for approximately 15 months. Smoked meats, smoked herbs, ripe raspberry, dusky cherry, lined with iron and flicked with a flinty edge before this young wine ends in a downy raspberry pillow. Generous plum on the medium bodied palate, but with a beauty fine lift that streams much fresher and higher than the warming 14.5 percent. Drink now - it's for your mouth. 50 cases.Prices:| AB | $49.95 | 750ml |
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15 August 2017
86PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Ping - Meritage 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDeep, dark colour red with a smoked meat, charred thorns, ripe blackberries and an undercurrent of thick, ripe plum in what is a flat blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Fourteen months in French and American oak barrels upped the wood-bound structure and stave-sticky tannins of this big, savoury red. Four grams of residual sugar makes it go down easy, particularly with big, peppery steaks. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust Red +10/09 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou won't know the varietal make up of Blind Trust until you cut and peel the capsule, revealing the mix. This vintage is 44/34/19/3 merlot/malbec/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc from Osoyoos and Naramata, with 15 months in French oak barrels, a quarter of which were new. Sweet, ripe and full bodied, with potent cassis, kirsch, blackberry jam and dusky peppery violet drawn across smoked charcoal and a full bodied palate. Tannins are plush, making this easy wine a welcoming pour now. Make sure you pour with a meat rich enough to counter the 15 percent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Monte Creek Ranch Ranch Hand Red Reserve 2015
British Columbia, CanadaRanch Hand Red comes off the Monte Creek Ranch in the south Thompson Valley. The mix of grapes has changed since last year and is a little more mainstream in 2015 with 47 percent merlot, 35 percent frontenac noir and 18 percent cabernet sauvignon. It’s fresh with super bright acidity, maybe too much, followed by a brown spices, dried herbs and more floral red cherry fruit. Serve with slow cooked braised beef or venison now or leave it in the bottle for another year.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LaStella Fortissimo 2015
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ’15 Fortissimo is a 63/17/11/9 mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese and cabernet franc and it's impressive from the get go. Large format puncheons and Hungarian/Slavonian oak have set the fruit free and the high level of merlot has kept the tannins manageable. The attack is juicy with bright black cherry fruit over a savoury underbelly, tobacco notes and even a touch of Italian earthiness. Veal osso bucco or roast lamb are classic matches. Love the new-found finesse here; it’s on the right road now. You can drink this now but it will be better in three to five years.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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14 August 2017
87PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 1 Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis pale pink pinot noir rosé is from a single estate block (Block 1), fermented over 28 days in stainless steel. Full bodied and plumped with glycerol, this is wild strawberry jam, tight raspberry and rhubarb pie, striated with peppery spice to a snappy finish. A bump of sugar and alcohol suggest this is a rosé that is best served with food ideally something with a bit of kick to temper the sugar. These grapes deserve a drier fate in our estimation.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Evolve Rosé 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLove the Provencal-pink colour. The nose is mix of super ripe strawberries and watermelon with a burnt taffy undercurrent. If you like your rosé sweet this is the one for you. Chill it down and enjoy it on a warm patio.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vanessa Vineyard Rosé 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf you want to know why 2106 whites were so good it was all about the weather: no heat spikes and a long growing season. The growing degree days in Cawston from April to October of 2016 were 1,521, well above the local twelve-year average of 1,320. The winemaking is saignée, or bleeding the tanks, in this case mostly syrah (68) and merlot (32) after six hours of skin contact. It’s about as rich a rosé as you can get, more Tavel than Provencal led by a savoury, spicy nose offering a mix of dark berries and candied currants. Soft and round but lacking the electric, mineral notes of the region’s white wines. Try this with Peking Duck, or grilled sausages.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine de la Rosiere Jongiuex Rose 2016
Savoie, FranceThe Domaine de la Rosiere Rosé is 100 percent gamay made from vines that are south-west facing over limestone-clay slopes. The grapes are picked ten days ahead of the rest of harvest, explaining the mouthwatering, piquant aromas and flavours. The skins are quickly pressed off to produce a pale, pink colour. The wine is not only dry but it gets to spend some 90 days on its fine lees adding texture and complexity. Red currants, citrus, strawberries, and minerality rule the day. Food-friendly.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liber Farm & Winery Rosé 2016
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis brand new Similkameen winery, on the slopes overlooking Similkameen River and named for the Roman god of wine, focuses on small lot organic wines. Liber is one of the oldest organic farms in BC, dating back to the 1960’s. Seven acres were planted to chardonnay and merlot in 2007. This deep pale, punchy merlot saignée rosé streams along the palate with fine pink peppercorn spice, hints of thorny blackberry, strawberry jam and kirsch-kissed cherry. Finishes dry, short and snappy and a bit hot, this is best enjoyed chilled with your summer salmon burgers.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau de Nages ButiNages Rose Organic 2015
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceButinages is part of the Gassier family which speaks volumes to its roots and vision. The nose fresh, the textures crunchy, and the fruit a summery mix of rhubarb, watermelon and citrus with just a hint of caramel in the finish. It’s medium rich, creamy and silky but with some pepper and citrus to keep it lively and frankly gulpable. Ready to go all summer especially for those late afternoons on the a patio or deck.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Rosé Three Mile Creek Acta Vineyard 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHowling Bluff employs the saignée or bleeding method to make its pinot noir rosé that has a pinkish red hue. The fruit comes off Three Mile Creek and Acta Vineyard which might explain its full-bodied character. The nose and palate are strawberry sweet; the textures are soft and silky before a citrus undercurrent clicks in to freshen the finish. Ready to serve with a favourite charcuterie dish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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11 August 2017
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ‘14 Oldfield Reserve opens with boisterous aromas of smoke, earth, black fruits and milk chocolate, mixed with sweet vanilla and oak. Partial wild ferment, and partial whole berry has upped the fruit factor heading into an 18-month slumber in French oak barrels. It remains on the more rustic side but the intensity and fruit is better expressed than in previous versions suggesting it should age well through 2019. Best now with lamb.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Merlot 2014
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt’s been a while since we have seen this wine, but a decade on it is more interesting. Winemaker Dwight Sick adds 5 percent petit verdot to the mix to darken and spice this mid-valley merlot. Half the fruit goes into the ferment whole cluster. It spends 18 months in 50/50 French and American oak before it is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The attack is fresh with plummy red fruit flavours, medium acidity and spice with slightly sticky tannins. The sweet American(?) oak leaves a sheen over the finish that subdues the wines energy. Ready to drink. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Lock and Worth Merlot 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThough merlot is the most planted red grape in BC, it's by no means the best red grape for this province. That said, there are no merlots like this singular one: light bodied, cloudy, textural and intriguing. From low interventionist producer Lock & Worth, this unfined and unfiltered merlot was planted in 1995 on a sandy 2 acre site on the Naramata Bench. Destemmed and with five days on the skins, this was basket pressed, fermented and aged in neutral French oak for seven months. Savoury with wild plum, wild blackberry, black cherry, thorns on a light, bright, softy dusky tannin palate to a white pepper finish. Acidity is bright, effortlessly nonchalant, like this quietly and subtlety confident wine. This is merlot as a whisper instead of a shout - again, a rarity in BC (and most places in the world).Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe can do merlot in BC when we put our mind to it and it can be hedonistic too. Ripe, full, dusty cherry fruit flecked with pepper and espresso notes mark a full-flavoured palate. The reserve level merlot contains bits of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot all grown in the Okanagan south in Oliver and Osoyoos. It spends 13 months in French and American oak adding more texture. Solid and will improve in the bottle over the next two years. Best with lamb or beef dishes.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Desert Hills Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLook for a savoury, spicy nose with hints of soya and oak. The attack is slightly rustic with a warm, spicy black fruit with peppery, okay notes and dry tannins in the back end. Best with now with grilled meats. Simple non-descript style.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hillside Merlot Dickinson Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDickinson Vineyard is part of the Hillside single vineyard series. The site sits above the road en route to Naramata. The aromas and flavours are slightly richer and darker than the Goja’s Vineyard beginning with more black cherries, dark chocolate and savoury/cedar notes flecked with brown spice. The tannins are perfectly silky at this point. It is ready to drink. The fruit was given a 13-day cold soak prior to ferment to generate more fruit flavours. After 31 days of skin contact and going through malo-lactic fermentation in oak the wine gets 14-months barrel maturation in new (28%) French and older French and American oak barrels. Love the balance weight and finesse here. Perfectly mature.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hillside Merlot Gjoa's Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Gjoa Vineyard sits just below the winery along the lower Naramata Bench and was first planted in 1995. The mature vineyard fruit neatly meshes with Hillside winemaker Kathy Malone’s philosophy to make “bench” only wines. The nose is fresh with red fruit plum aromas and mocha coffee undercurrent. Similar flavours spill on to the palate with a long, spicy, mineral undercurrent and now mostly silky tannins. Ready to drink with roast beef. Its aged 13 months in barrels; new (14%) American and older French oak.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Vanessa Vineyard Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe blend is 85/15 merlot (clone 181) /cabernet franc (clone 331). This is another nice improvement for this property although I’m not sure picking at 30 brix and generating 14.9 percent alcohol is necessary. Nonetheless, this ten-year-old site is clearly coming into its own. The nose is bright and stony with black fruits predominating. It’s not as thick as you might think, with cabernet franc freshening the mid-palate with some spice and lift to what is a solid red wine. Just a baby but give this another three to five years in the bottle and it will blossom.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTinhorn Creek has always been known for its merlot. The 2014 Oldfield Reserve is full and expansive with mocha, smoked blackberry, resin and dark, fertile soils, overridden with a sweet, vanilla wood spice and rough hewn wood structure. Partial wild ferment, partial whole berry, after 6-8 weeks the wines are pressed to French oak barrels where they go through MLF and 18 months aging. This is on the rustic, rough and ready for BBQ side at this stage.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ex Nihilo Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe grapes were all handpicked at Seacrest Hill Road Vineyard in late October and fermented in La Garde stainless tanks. The juice spent some 40 days on the skins before ageing 18 months in one and two-year-old French oak barrels. The style is rich and round with warm spicy briary, black fruit reminiscent of Sonoma County with a plummy vanilla undercurrent. A fine improvement here and will be a hit with the hedonistic crowd who love the richer, fatter style of merlot. Best with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $43.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hillside Merlot Dickinson Vineyard 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDickinson Vineyard is part of the Hillside single vineyard series. The site sits above the road en route to Naramata. The aromas and flavours are slightly richer and darker than the Goja’s Vineyard, beginning with more black cherries, dark chocolate and savoury/cedar notes flecked with brown spice. The tannins are perfectly silky at this point. It is ready to drink. The fruit was given a 13-day cold soak prior to ferment to generate more fruit flavours. After 31 days of skin contact and going through malolactic fermentation in oak the wine gets 14-months barrel maturation in new (28 percent) French and older French and American oak barrels. Love the balance, weight and finesse here. Perfectly mature.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hillside Merlot Hidden Valley Vineyard 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Hidden Valley Vineyard is tucked away up behind Hillside on a south-west facing bowl shaped site that catches the sun. It’s similar in texture to Dickinson but this label has more savoury sage and spice elements threading through the black raspberry and black cherry fruit. The finish is long and licorice laced with a beautiful, mineral/stony textured finish. The Hillside single vineyard merlots are important wines that speak to the site and the sub-appellation. Try this with lamb. The wine spends 16 months in barrel, of which 33 percent is new American oak.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bartier Bros. Merlot Cerqueira Vineyard 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Michael Bartier likes to wax lyrically about Cerqueira Vineyard and the Black Sage Gravel Bar (the best bench name in BC). The vineyard has a gentle west-facing slope. The soils are dense loam topsoil above gravel with limestone (calcium carbonate) covered granite, quartz, and basalt cobbles throughout a deep profile. Michael says “irrigation and ground water accept minerals from these rocks, and in turn, deliver these to the vines, causing a profound effect on the grapes.” The vines age nine to eleven years old. The result is some mighty fine merlot treading the stony/silky line with a pure, fresh savoury, black cherry salty fruit flavour, while assimilating the oak. Impressive and steak worthy. The grapes were harvested October 24 and 29 at 24 Brix. Maceration took place over 45 days in small open top stainless steel fermenters. Punch downs were used to extract the skins as gently as possible. The fermenters were pressed to tanks and then to barrels to complete fermentations. The barrels were racked twice over the next 12 months, and bottled January 2016.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Stag's Hollow Merlot 2014
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMerlot is the most planted red grape in BC, and so often I ask myself "why?" The rare wines like this remind me why we can't paint all merlot with the same thick oaky plum brush (but seriously BC, don't do so much!). That said, this wine has 5 percent petit verdot added in, perhaps as the saving grace. The 2014 is half whole cluster, entirely fermented in wood (50/50 French and American) before being racked to barrel for 18 months prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered. Alluring perfumed plum, cassis, herbal blackberry, thorn is lifted with an easy, effortless acidity, bracketed with tightly gritty, fine tannins.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
LaStella Maestoso Solo Merlot 2014
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMaestoso is one hundred percent merlot and the flagship red at La Stella. The style is a tip of the hat to the great Italian Masseto made by the Ornellaia folks. The blend of two vineyards, one in Osoyoos and one on the Golden Mile Bench is at the heart of this wine that while dense and structured is brimming with blueberries and Bing cherry fruit in 2014. The attack is spicy with more red and blue fruits, rich tannins and a warm smoky minty youthful tobacco back end. A T-bone steak would be the perfect match. The fruit comes off a mix of sites in Osoyoos Lake District and Golden Mile. It spends 18 months in 100 percent French oak barrels, 33 percent new, 56 percent second fill and 11 percent neutral oak.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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10 August 2017
90PTS
Roubine La Vie en Rose 2016
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceRoubine has that million dollar, super light Provençal pink colour. This historical property was once owned by the Templar Knights until 1307. On offer here is a super fresh, elegant, barely-fruited, almost watery rosé made from syrah, grenache, vermentino and cabernet sauvignon. Do what the French do and serve it with tomatoes, or fish, or chicken, or alongside a charcuterie plate of cheese and meats.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
L'Opaline Rose 2016
Coteaux Varois, Provence, Sud de France, FranceJust a hint of colour draws you toward the glass. Think watermelon, pink grapefruit and wild strawberries on the nose and palate. There is an illusion of ripe fruit (sweetness) but the acidity is bright and fresh and it keeps the wine together through its fresh, spicy finish. Refined and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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09 August 2017
84PTS
Bellenda Prosecco Spumante NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyThis is an easy, simple and direct Extra Dry Prosecco DOC from Treviso, the entry-level fizz from this moderately large and successful producer. Light florals, light pear, light sweetness, short on the toasty finish. this is pleasantly fine Prosecco, suitable for toasting and tea, when you want for something for everyone (well, unless they are wine geeks). Overpriced, in this market, IMHO, for the quality.Prices:| BC | $24.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV
United StatesToast overrides raspberry, cherry in this New Mexican misnomer blanc de noirs, a blend of 75/25 pinot noir/chardonnay. Oak aging further ups the toastiness here, as does 24 months on the lees. This is a coarser textured fizz, able to handle smoked pork ribs or baked beans (for reals). On its own, lacks finesse.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gruet Brut NV
United StatesThis is the house brut of Mew Mexico's Gruet, a pleasant and friendly blend of 75/25 chardonnay/pinot noir, lees-aged for 24 months. Crisp green apple, lees, light toast fills the medium bodied palate, one that finishes bright and snappy, if a bit bitter. Great value, easy sipping, and bonus points for conversation factor.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gruet Brut Rosé NV
United StatesYes, from New Mexico. Gruet was founded in 1984, and specializes in traditional method fizz, with roots dating back to the family's Champagne house in Bethon. This saignée rosé of pinot noir has 2 percent still pinot noir added for hue, and spent twenty four months on the lees. Fruity, bright, brisk and dry, with riffing cherry, red currant laying on a fine layer of lees. This prickles with acidity on the zesty finish. A big step up from the last time I tasted this two years ago.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs 2014
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis St. David's Bench sparkler flows focused and streamlined over a bed of stones. Two years on the lees provides lovely structure to the pear, yellow apple, ginger biscuit notes. Acidity is frisky but a generous dosage (12.9g/l) ensures it approachable now. Impressive Ontario fizz.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Champagne Drappier Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
Champagne, FranceThe Drappier family has been farming Champagne since 1808, with 100ha, mostly around the village of Urville (pinot noir country). This blanc de blancs has a twist: 5 percent pinot blanc (also known as blanc vrai), to give it a bit of floral creamy roundness on the palate. The house use of minimal sulphur and 2-3 years sur lattes post bottling is signature, as is their aging of the liqueurs d’expédition in oak casks, then in demijohns for more than 10 years for concentration and added complexity. This brut is crisp and bright, with a doughy, yeasty, lees-lined cushion on the palate. There's a faint mushroom funkiness atop red apple, subtle pink florals, but bright and brisk acidity, snappy on the finish.Prices:| France | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Marie Demets Tradition Brut NV
Champagne, FranceThe Demets family has been growing vines in in Gyé sur Seine in the heart of the Côte des Bar since the 1950s. In the early 1970s they started to think of releasing their own wines, which was a dream realized in 1987, their first vintage. Entirely pinot noir, this spent two years on the lees and has 9 g/l dosage. Floral red currant and cherry fills this expansive and generous fizz, based on a lightly toasty palate, and seasoned with wild blackberry and hawthorne. The texture is a tad rustic, calling out for pairing with lighter pork or duck dishes.Prices:| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
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08 August 2017
91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir-Old Block McLean Creek Vineyard - OK Falls 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2015, mild spring temperatures forced one of the earliest ever recorded budbursts in mid-April that pushed the prime ripening period into the hottest days of the growing season. This was an issue for some producers. At Meyer, harvest began on the 7th of September. On the upside, the fruit was disease free and ripe. Chris Carson keep sits simple at Meyer. The fruit is gently de-stemmed via gravity into small open top fermenters and allowed to cold soak., followed by an indigenous yeast ferment peaking at 30C. Gentle hand plunging of the must is performed throughout before the free run juice is transferred to 100 percent French oak barrels (22 percent new) for 11 months. In 2015 the fruit has been deftly handled keeping it fresh and lively with floral undertones and bright dark cherry fruit with flecks of mineral mud. Finesse and length is the holy grail of pinot and it's apparent here.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Stevens Block Old Main Road Vineyard 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOh my, this is the real thing. 2015's early start backed off in July, and the cooler temperatures have yielded some terrific white wines across the valley. The harvest at Old Main Road Vineyard started September 26 at 23 brix. The one acre Stevens Block was planted in 2006 to the French clones 4 and 5 on the steepest and coolest part of the Naramata Vineyard. It’s been farmed organic since 2013 and like all the winemaking at Meyer, little is done to the fruit. The ferment was long (60 days) and cool and the result is a somewhat tight, linear entry, almost a Chablis cru style with super bright fruit and a vein of electricity from front to back. Super youthful and fresh this should develop well over the next three to five years. Try it now with seafood pasta dish or grilled halibut.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Micro Cuvée McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNo one expected the heat of 2015 and unless you were growing cabernet sauvignon, I’m sure no wants to see it again in the Okanagan. It’s warm years like 2015 that point to the wealth of sites available to wineries to make wine up and down the valley. The Micro Cuvée is only produced in top years and is based on specific barrel selections. In this case winemaker Chris Carson chose one new French oak puncheon from the Troncais forest and one one-year old puncheon from the Allier forest. This chardonnay is on the edge of being Napa-like, with rich, nutty, spicy fruit flavours. It’s a bigger, warmer year but there is enough acidity and texture to keep your interest. Try this with a full-blown piece of brie, or a rosemary scented roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Micro Cuvée McLean Creek Vineyards - OK Falls 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Micro-Cuvée is best of the bunch most years, although rivalled by the Old Block in 2015. There is only 110 cases of it, all grown at McLean Creek Road. The Micro Cuvée is winemaker Chris Carson’s personal selection of his best barrels, what he terms the “most harmonious blend” of McLean Creek Road Vineyard. The grapes are Pommard Clone 91. Carson used all French oak, 50 percent new, and it is aged for eleven months. This is unabashed New World pinot eerily reminiscent of Central Otago. The entry is silky, the textures smooth, the flavours are a mix of forest floor, earth, dark plums, cherries and dried sagebrush. Persistent and lengthy. In 2015, mild spring temperatures forced one the earliest ever recorded budburst in mid-April, pushing the prime ripening period into the hottest days of the growing season which was an issue for some producers. Harvest began on the 7th of September. On the upside, the fruit was disease free and ripe.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Old Main Road Vineyard 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2015 one of the earliest bud-bursts on record heralded what would be a warm year in the Okanagan. The Old Main Road Vineyard, where they have been using organic farming practices since 2013, was perfectly ripe at 22.5 brix, on September 7, some 50 days earlier than the previous year. Only the purest juice is used, again all handled in a minimalist manner and transferred into 100 percent French oak (22 percent new) to complete fermentation. The wine is left sur lees for 11 months without battonage. It’s a bigger style as you might guess, more Sonoma Coast than Burgundy, but still fresh and a lot of fun to drink. The nose is a melange of seashore scents, sweet lemon with toasted notes and rich textures. In the end the acidity keeps it all together. Fine value. The 2015 Tribute will take the shape of a $5,000 bursary to the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Foundation, a Canadian non-profit culinary foundation, the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship, was created in 2013 to recognize and inspire young Canadian chefs, whilst promoting professionalism and culinary excellence within the hospitality industry.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis chardonnay had been settling into a reliable pattern along the lines of slightly skinny, fresh, complex, and long. In 2015 the warmer weather has added some extra honey and texture to the mix. The nose is still nutty the fruit bright, maybe more red apple than green but with enough acidity to keep it interesting. The finish is all hazelnut, butter and melon fruit flavours. What it has is a sense of complexity and length in the glass. Crab, halibut and lobster all come to mind, but it may surprise you with a steak. The McLean Creek Road Vineyard, owned by the Meyer family, is in Okanagan Falls. It has a steep southerly aspect; the soil is a mix of gravel and sandy loams farmed in two separate blocks. It’s mostly fermented in stainless steel before finishing the ferment in French oak (18 percent new) and then remaining unstirred for 11 months on its lees as it goes through a natural malo-lactic fermentation. It’s bottled unfined and unfiltered.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meyer Chardonnay 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Meyer Okanagan chardonnay is a mix of estate fruit from McLean Creek Road (1994) in Okanagan Falls and Old Main Road (1996) in Naramata. The winemaking is simple: it’s cold settled for two days then racked of the solids (heavy sediment) to a stainless steel vessel for a month-long ferment followed by a four-month rest on the lees. The methodology of sites, vine age and production methods is designed to create an early drinking, fresh, tasty, regional chardonnay. Like last year, this wine surprises with its richness and flavours for the money, and will have wide appeal. Ready to drink. Try this fresh cracked crab or a lobster sushi roll.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA richer version of the 2014, with much darker, blueberry aromas and characters but still with enough acidity to keep it fresh. The attack is firm and relatively dry with a pleasant, savoury, rustic undercurrent and firm but accessible tannins. There is no need to rush to drinking this but it is kind of fun to gulp now. If you don’t cellar this through 2020 try it with barbecue pork. Mclean Creek Road Vineyard is on the home site. Its relatively steep slope faces south, west and northwest and sits over a mix of stony/sandy alluvial and glacial deposits. The vines mix five different Burgundian clones, both Pommard and Dijon, on three distinct blocks. Each block is managed separately using organic principles.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine is quickly gaining a following for its juicy fruit and price. It’s not perfect in 2015; it’s a bit funky showing some volatility with a touch of Bretty barnyard, but none of it overwhelms the fruit. The minimal intervention at Meyer clearly filters (bad word I guess) down to this entry level pinot. It bears an Okanagan Valley designation and blends fruit from the home property Mclean Creek Road Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, Reimer Vineyard in South East Kelowna and two East Kelowna sites. It’s destemmed and cold soaked before a long, warm fermentation. It is all hand plunged and post maceration it spends ten months in 100 percent older seasoned French oak barrels. Like last year, cran-cherries and raspberry fruit rule the palate with a silky mouth-filling, finish. Perfect with salmon or duck or mushroom pastas. California and New Zealand meet BC.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reimer Vineyard Kelowna 2015
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEast Kelowna is home to this juicy, spicy, pinot noir that has mostly survived the heat of 2015. The nose is mix of ripe black cherries sprinkled with mineral notes and just the right amount of toasted oak. There is a touch of that earthy, sour cherry, Oregon thing going on in the back end with enough acidity to make it all work. The vineyard is moderately steep with cool northwesterly aspect, and the soils slightly heavier alluvial and windblown deposits making up a silt loam overlaying a gravel loam. Drink all fall with smoked chicken, grilled salmon or mushroom risottos.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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04 August 2017
88PTS
Desert Hills Gamay 2016
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is textbook gamay: fresh sweet fruit with a raspberry/strawberry undercurrent and some spice. The textures are soft and round, and very sippable. The hedonists will like the style, but the cork dorks will want just a little more minerality and little less fruit. Ready and fun to drink now. Try it with your favourite pizza or chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine des Billards Saint-Amour 2015
Saint-Amour, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceAll of the welcoming fruitiness and friendly generosity of Saint Amour is on full display here, with wild violets, cherry blossoms, raspberry, red liquorice and a lick of kirsch lining the medium-bodied palate. From the lieu-dit of Les Billards, this is 50-100-year-old, sustainably farmed vines, mid-slope on older alluvial soils: heavy clay over weathered granite. This was on skins for 12 days (under a weighted grill) before up to six months in a mix of older foudres and cement, affording a welcoming textural tannin element to buffer the perfumed and gentle red fruit. A beauty. #GoGamayGo.Prices:| BC | $26.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Gamay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDry, tight cran-cherry style gamay with a mix of earth and floral notes on the nose. The attack is fresh with more earthy, dried cherry fruit flavours. Not as charming as most Beaujolais but nothing a piece of grilled chicken wouldn’t smooth out, or give it another year or two in bottle. Definitely a less-is-more style.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Gamay Noir 2016
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe nose is screwcap reduced at this point, leaving mostly earthy, spicy notes. The fruit is all Similkameen but suffering from a fairly pronounced reduced character. More earthy, barnyard, meaty, peppery red fruit on the palate with a soft, slightly sweet fruit in the finish. Give this twenty minutes in a decanter after opening.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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03 August 2017
87PTS
CedarCreek The Senator 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a new release from CedarCreek, an easy drinking, if unconventional blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. The good news is its lean and snappy entry and smooth creamy finish. The mix spends about a month in 85 percent stainless steel and 15 percent neutral French oak to come together. Spicy and round with white peach, pear and apple over a thick bed of lees. A bit warm and heavy on the finish but nothing a Santa Fe chicken salad couldn’t take on.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kanazawa Nomu 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is one big rich wine with the addition of orange muscat, naturally fermented but stopped early to bring some residual to the blend and balance off the acidity of the viognier and semillon. The viognier dominates, bringing richness while sémillon adds length and freshness and helps to dry the finish. Floral citrus, grapefruit and a dollop of yellow fruits come together to make the wine work. Serve chilled with your favourite sushi rolls.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blue Grouse Quill Dry White 2014
British Columbia, CanadaThe Quill ‘Dry White’ is a blend of grapes from the Cowichan Valley and the Okanagan in 2014 and mostly from Oliver and Kelowna. The mix is 48/40/3/9 pinot blanc, pinot auxerrois, pinot gris/müller-thurgau and siegerrebe/gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc, all stainless-steel fermented. A bright and lively blend of Okanagan and Vancouver Island grapes. The style is light and bright with muted citrus fruit aromas and flavours in a juicy, light easy-sipping white. Well-made and priced fairly.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lang Vineyards Bravo White 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother 2016 winner, in this case a summer sipper from old vine riesling, gewürztraminer, schönburger and muscat grapes. This is intense with very tropical notes, featuring pink grapefruit, limes and melons remains fresh. A touch heavy in the Alsace way, but pair this up with Indian or Thai curries and you won’t be disappointed. Fragrant, tasty and just a hint frizzante, this is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liber Farm and Winery Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe brand new organic Liber Farm & Winery in the Similkameen sources fruit from Oliver for this wine, a blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon (the latter is some of the valley's oldest sem vines). This medium bodied wine shows much more of the punchy savvy passionfruit, with pink grapefruit, brisk acidity, apricot, bracketed and striated by time in new French oak. A slick on the palate tips to semillon, and tarragon and big spicing on the finish tells of time in wood. Pair with bolder dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Liber Farm and Winery Hello Sunshine 2016
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNew Similkameen winery Liber Farm sourced the viognier, pinot gris and gewürztraminer from Naramata Bench for this blend. A blast of reduction on the opening, before a clipped sweet and sour palate, with green apple, sour apple and some powdered grapefruit notes. This is much less successful than their estate Similkameen wines.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hillside Bistro White 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn winemaker Kathy Malone’s words, “The summer of 2016 graced us with the perfect conditions for growing aromatic whites.” The first edition of Hillside Bistro White is all that and more. Naramata Bench sourced gewürztraminer and muscat were fermented cool in stainless steel and the result is delightful. Just off-dry, orange-scented and flavoured this refreshing, stylish white is the perfect patio sipper, especially with hand held bites or tapas with a bit of spice. Perfectly delicious, ready-to-drink sunshine and fruit in a bottle.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Harper's Trail Field Blend White Thadd Springs Vineyard 2016
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaRiesling and chardonnay make sense on paper, freshness and richness, but it’s no easy dance. Harper’s Trail pulls it off showcasing orchard fruits and green apples on the nose that keep it fresh and lively before mixing pear and melon flavours on the palate. It’s ripe, and you can taste a bit of residual sweetness in the finish. Chill this down and serve it on the patio or put it to work with some spicy appetizers. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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02 August 2017
91PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaElectricity is not a word you associate with pinot blanc but maybe after 31 years Matt Mavety has found the secret. There's help from what is becoming a great white wine vintage (2016) and two old German clones but more likely it is the winemaking or is that no winemaking. The wine is wild fermented and aged in stainless (55 percent) and older, neutral French oak (45 percent) before it spends five months on its lees prior to going to bottle. There is fine concentration but with admirable restraint. Citrus, pears and peaches all on the cool side mark the nose and palate washed with a stony minerality. It's the best BC pinot blanc I have tasted ever and at $18 it is a super bargain. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Umani Ronchi CaSal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2016
Marche, ItalyVerdicchio is born with a brightness and a freshness that props up its nutty fruity buttery tones. The attack is clean offering bits of peaches, guava and the all-important minerality that keeps it on the rails. A simple, delicious, food wine that pairs well with seafood, pesto pasta and or grilled vegetables. Super value too.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bonnet-Huteau Vignerons Muscadet Sèvre et Maine La Tarcière sur Lie 2015
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceWhite honey, stones, tight peach in this light, lean Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, from organic vines 15-30 years old on schist and gneiss. A fine lining of earthy lees helps the light body (11 percent), glide along fine nuttiness, pear skin and wild kernel notes. This is a subtle, watery, quiet wine, slicked with lemon pith on the lemon pithy finish.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Stag's Hollow Albarino Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStag’s Hollow is providing some real competition for the very fine Terravista Albariño made mostly from Naramata Bench fruit. The difference is in weight and acidity, with the Stag’s Hollow Okanagan Falls fruit showing a tighter, leaner, thread of pear, melon with a citrus, licorice undercurrent. Winemaker Dwight Sick does some partial barrel ferment here in 500L French puncheons but with no malolactic fermentation to keep it fresh. Six weeks' battonage gives it just the right texture to please without overwhelming your palate. A clean, bright version made for local seafood or a Margherita pizza.Prices:| BC | $20.25 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Road 13 Marsanne Low Yield Wines 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's been a couple of years since I last tasted Road 13's Marsanne, and it remains as striking and intense as ever. Fermented in French oak barrels (one third new) where they remained with monthly battonage until the following spring bottling. Two percent viognier is splashed in for additional seasoning. Only 75 cases were made, so if you find it, grab it. Intense perfumed gooseberries, passionfruit, quince, rosewater, marzipan rides a waxy palate, full-bodied, but thankfully held taut with pink grapefruit briskness. Like a rhino, this is big and lumbering (in theory), but picks up speed and glides (impressive 13.6 percent) once it gets moving.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Les Pins De Camille 2016
Picpoul de Pinet, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceNo big change here except for the constant BCLDB price creep, in this case up four dollars over four years. That said, when everyone is drinking rosé or sauvignon blanc you can be sipping picpoul and looking like the ultimate wine hipster. Fresh and citrus scented with a mix of honey, quince and ginger, all of which fades into its juicy grapefruit and ginger palate. Grilled fish or assorted charcuterie work here. The perfect advertisement for “try something different.”Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHow is this possible Blue Mountain? Thirty-year-old estate vines (two German clones) farmed sustainably, cropped low, fermented wild in stainless and older French oak, aged on lees until the following spring, and then bottled. and it's intense yet restrained, with perfumed pear, lemon blossom, white peach and a snap of Asian pear acidity keeping everything taut and riveting. A vibrato of stony minerality rings throughout to a spicy, bright finish. And, this wine is a mind-boggling $18, when it could easily be and best wines double its price. The top pinot blanc I've tasted from Blue Mountain, and easily the best in Canada, if you've avoided "pinot blah", find this.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hillside Gewürztraminer 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Kathy Malone seems to have her finger on the juicy, fresh style that perfectly suits this off–dry gewürztraminer, packed full of pink grapefruit, orange, kiwi and ginger. It’s a blend of six Naramata sites including the Hillside owned Hidden Valley Vineyard, and it’s made for summer. Fine value too.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Reflets Muscadet Sur Lie Sèvre et Maine 2014
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceRighteous Muse is a negotiant label that produces wines from California, New Zealand and France. This is their offering from Muscadet, in Loire's Pays Nantais. Earthy wild herbs, meadow grasses, salted lemon and mushroom on the lean, slimmer, lees-lined palate. The funk here is slight, but noticeable, not from cork (screw cap for the win) but most likely from some off lees. That said, this works with cockles or roasted asparagus.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Janare Falanghina del Sannio 2014
Campania, ItalyExpressive florals dominate this concentrated falanghina from Sannio, drawn from limestone clay soils and at 300-400m. A potent anise note streams throughout, drawing mango, quince, ripe pear along the full, lagging palate, one bracketed by fine spice and finishing briskly with a snap of acid. Dense, potent, but with flow, this would partner well with richer shellfish dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.29 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Culmina Family Estate Wild Ferment Gruner Veltliner No. 002 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCulmina has a series of one-off wines from the best of its research and development from any given vintage that they call the Number Series. The second release, Nº 002 Wild Ferment Grüner Veltliner 2016, is made with minimal winemaking inputs, employing only natural yeasts to start a nearly two-month long fermentation. It’s all 6th leaf fruit from Margaret’s Bench. The ferment was 59 days long on the lees in stainless steel barrels. The fermentation stopped naturally at 5.42 g/L of residual sugar adding a gentle flush of sugar to a fresh, well-balanced palate full of savoury, spicy, nutty tones and creamy, yellow fruits. Easy sipping and the perfect foil to slightly spicy dishes.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stag's Hollow Vidal - Orange Wine Stag's Hollow Vineyard 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOrange is the new white per winemaker Dwight Sick although I’m guessing it won’t sell quite as well as white wine. The orange comes from extended, open-top (oxidative) skin contact, in this case three weeks. The vidal is 30 years old and harvested at peak ripeness. The fruit is drained and basket pressed into stainless steel where it spends another six weeks on full lees before it’s racked and bottled without any fining or filtration. The wine is dry with terrific acidity, the fruit is muted with mostly citrus highlights that will go well with food. It’s an acquired taste but of the many in the market this is among the cleanest and the freshest. It will be fun to see how this wine develops.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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01 August 2017
89PTS
Tantalus Juveniles Chardonnay 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe vines are only four years old, hence the ‘Juveniles’ moniker, but this wine suggests a bright future for this single-vineyard, estate chardonnay. It was all handpicked and vinified in small lots and it was wild fermented in a combo of stainless steel and neutral barrels. The attack is fresh with a good mix of texture and flavours mostly bright lemon mixed with spice and a stony mineral aftertaste. It’s the juicy character that invites at the moment and we love the screwcap. The price is crazy good. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $17.30 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tantalus Chardonnay 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA Tantalus their Next World chardonnay is cross between the New and Old. It’s darker than you might expect but the nose is fresh and lemony with a mix of apricot and melons and toast and vanilla. The fruit is off Block 6 a site with an eastern aspect along the northern side of the home vineyard. The fruit is a mix of 1985 Oppenheim vines and a 2007 part of Dijon clones. In a blazing warm year, you can see and feel a bit of the heat but there is enough texture and complexity to hold your interest. It’s all wild fermented and aged in French oak, including 30 percent new French oak puncheons and barriques. You can drink this now but we would suggest another year in bottle to really let it blossom.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay 2015
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA second look is as good as the first. In 2015 winemaker Darryl Brooker has slipped in 25 percent mid-valley juice from the spectacular Naramata Ranch Vineyard at the cool northern edge of the Naramata Bench adding another layer to its cool, chiseled, floral, mineral style. Most the fruit comes off three individual blocks of Dijon clones inside an eastern Osoyoos vineyard estate located right at the US border. It was a warm year but Brooker seems to have been able to reign in the heat and keep Perpetua on track. The fermentation and ageing process is now a triumvirate of French oak, concrete eggs and stainless steel that lasts about 15 months and includes hand-stirring of the lees every two weeks. A very pure expression of chardonnay with subtle pear, citrus lime and oak. Drinkable now but will age through 2020.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $54.01 | 750ml |
| MB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hess Select Chardonnay 2014
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRich, creamy, spiced wood in this ripe, full Monterey chardonnay. Red apple, pineapple, pear, wood and a snap of acidity before a rush of warmth on the finish. This is a simple, easy Cali chard for the masses (and for drinking now).Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liber Farm & Winery Everyday Chardonnay 2016
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first release from this new Similkameen winery. The estate vineyard, from the banks of the Similkameen River, is home to the Everyday Chardonnay. Stainless preserves the crisp freshness and cool fruit, revealing tight pear, pineapple, green apple on a lean frame, with a bump of sugar and cracked spices on the warm finish. Simple and clean is good description with a bit of sour lemon that clouds the finish. Good start.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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September 2017