2016 Chardonnay
See Ya Later Ranch
Okanagan Falls, BC
$16.99
This very reasonably priced Chardonnay is Golden yellow in colour with medium light intensity. Butter and apple on the nose with hints of melon and pineapple. Good balance, big and round in the mouth with an almost oily texture. Butter, tropical fruit and pineapple on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Try it, you’ll like it.
2015 Pinot Noir (Estate)
Blue Grouse
Duncan, BC
$27.00
A slight (15%) addition of Gamay and 18 months in used French oak adds some complexity to this Pinot Noir. This is a small lot wine, with only 163 cases made. Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. Spice, earth, cherry, raspberry and a hint of cocoa on the nose. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. This is proof that the island can do Pinot well.
2016 Rosé (Oldfield Reserve)
Tinhorn Creek
Oliver, BC
$22.99
This is one of the few (maybe only?) Cabernet Franc Rosés that I can remember trying. Which begs the question, why don’t more people use this grape for their pink wines? Salmon coloured with medium intensity. Aromas of strawberry and grapefruit on the nose. Well balanced and surprisingly big and round in the mouth for what is often a lighter style of wine. Very flavourful on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. This wine strikes all the right notes for a Rosé. It is elegant and harmonious from beginning to end and would be a perfect match for barbecued salmon.
2014 Rompicollo (Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon)
Tommasi – Poggio al Tufo
Cariano, Italy
$24.71
This blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany is garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of red plum, sweet spice, earth and red currants. Well balanced. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. Pair this one with prime rib or oven-roasted meats.
2013 Kay Syrah
Dirty Laundry
Summerland, BC
$25.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Blackberry, bramble, cocoa, earth, tobacco and white pepper. Good balance with soft ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose and are followed by a medium-plus finish. This wine improved significantly with time to breathe. Be sure to decant this one and allow it to open up.
