2018 Rosé
Black Hills
Oliver, BC
$24.90
This rosé is a blend of 42% Pinot Noir, 35% Gamay and 23% Malbec. Salmon coloured with medium-light intensity. The nose greets you with aromas of watermelon, wild strawberry and fresh cream. Well balanced with good mouthfeel. Bright on the palate with mouth-watering fruit followed by a medium-long finish with lingering fruit flavours and delicate dried herbs.
2017 Fume Blanc
Clos du Soleil
Cawston, BC
$18.99
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Very pale straw in colour with medium-light intensity. Lime, juicy stone fruit and melon notes with restrained undertones of oak on the nose. Good balance. Bright and zesty on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish with lingering hints of grapefruit pith.
2018 Chardonnay
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$22.99
This is a three-region blend that helps to add some complexity, as does low cropping levels. 80% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel while the remaining 20% spent four months in neutral French oak which helps to provide texture while not adding any noticeable oak character. Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. Lime, Granny Smith apple and butter on the nose along with pear and honeydew undertones. Good balance with a creamy texture. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a warm, lingering finish. A great wine for those tired of big butter-bomb over-oaked California-styled examples.
Non-vintage Brut Rosado
Segura Viudas
Torrelavit, Spain
$26.99
This is a traditional method sparkling wine. Salmon coloured with medium-light intensity. Leesy and yeasty with delicate red berry notes on the nose. Good balance and good mousse. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. This is a good value wine.
2016 Malbec (Rattlesnake Vineyard)
Second Chapter
Oliver, BC
$40.00
The 2016 vintage was bottled under their working name of Compass so this is a label you will no longer see. The grapes come from eleven-year-old vines, grown in the sandy soil of the Golden Mile DVA This wine is impressive. Garnet/black in colour with deep intensity. The nose is rich and layered with lots of dark berries – blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry – black cherry, spice and cocoa. Well balanced with velvety smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a lingering finish.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
