2015 Muscat
Bordertown
Osoyoos, BC
$22
Lemon yellow with medium intensity. Your nose is greeted with a cacophony of tropical and floral notes, especially pineapple, melon and peach. Well balanced, full and round in the mouth. Mouth-watering fruit is echoed on the palate. A medium-long finish with ginger-like bitterness lingering. All the rich, ripe fruit would lead one to expect some residual sugar, however, this wine is dry and food friendly. Serve with white fish, curries and Thai food.
2013 Tempranillo
Three Sisters Winery
Penticton, BC
$19.90
From the cellar. Well-aged, garnet red in colour with deep intensity. Stewed prunes, cinnamon and sweet spice, dried cherries and hints of black pepper on the nose. Very good balance with good mouth feel. Lots of fruit on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
2012 Altostratus (Pinot Noir)
Black Cloud
Naramata, BC
$35.00
Black Cloud is a virtual winery owned by Bradley Cooper and Audralee Daum. In the past they made the wine at Serendipity, now it is made at Howling Bluff. Altostratus is a very well-made pinot noir that is like no other. It has a unique flavour profile. Garnet red in colour with deep intensity. The nose alerts you that this is no ordinary pinot – dark Bing cherry juice, earth, spice, violets, juicy boysenberries and figs. Well balanced. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish with lingering mulberry flavours. Only 1310 bottles were produced. If you are a pinot fan, you need to seek this out and give it a try.
2015 Chardonnay
Church & State
Oliver, BC
$26.90
Lemon yellow with medium intensity. Butter toast and citrus on the nose. Good balance. The aromas are reflected on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a California styled chardonnay with much better structure.
NV Cava
Jaume Serra Cristalino
Vilanova, Spain
$12.99
This bottle-fermented bargain bubble truly over-delivers. Lemon yellow with light intensity. Citrus and toast on the nose. Good balance and creamy mousse. Clean and refreshing on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. At this price you can drink this Cava every day and why not. Pair with popcorn or salt and pepper ripple chips. I suggest drinking this wine from an ordinary wine glass instead of a flute to best appreciate its aromas and flavours.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
