I may get some comments on this feature as these wines might be better included in ‘From the Cellar’ and fair enough, but I have been digging a bit these days. If a description sounds appealing to you, I urge you to get the latest release and give it a try. These are all very good producers.
2015 Chardonnay (Woodward Collection)
Privato
Kamloops, BC
$29.90
The grapes for this wine came from 28-year-old vines which helps to explain its elegance. Lemon yellow in colour with medium intensity. A well-integrated nose with aromas of butter, lemon, toast, and hints of stone fruit. The wine is big and round in the mouth and well balanced. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-long finish with lingering flavours. This is a big BC chardonnay. If you are a chardonnay lover, be sure to buy some from Privato. Trust me.
2015 Syrah
8th Generation
Summerland, BC
$22.00
Ruby red colour with medium-deep intensity. Aromas of blackberry, plum, dust, chocolate, spice and black pepper on the nose. Very good balance, full-bodied with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Pair this wine with teriyaki chicken thighs, lamb, spiced pork tenderloin or Indian dishes.
2015 Gravelbar Duet
Stoneboat
Oliver, BC
$22.90
Stoneboat is one of two wineries in BC that grow Pinotage, and in my opinion, the BC versions are far better than any I have tried from its native home of South Africa. The Pinotage and Pinot Noir grapes are estate-grown on rock soil which absorbs heat during the day and radiates it back onto the vines at night. Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Aromas of ripe red cherries, plum and spice on the nose. Well balanced with soft ripe tannins. Pleasing fruit, primarily berries, on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
2015 Synoptic (Bordeaux Blend)
Echo Bay
Okanagan Falls
$40.00
A rare six grape Bordeaux styled blend of 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Carménère and 3% Petit Verdot that was aged for 19 months in French oak. Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose is rich and well-integrated with aromas of dark fruit, cherries and cocoa notes. Well balanced. Bright red berries on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Oh, and those strange symbols on the label? “The symbols used in our label come from synoptic weather charts, where each symbol identifies a state or change in weather conditions.”
2016 Rosso di Montalcino
Altesino Rosso
Montalcino, Italy
$27.99
Garnet red with medium intensity. The nose displays aromas of cherries, dried fruit, dust and dried rose petals. Well balanced. Ripe fruit on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. You can’t go wrong with any wines from this producer.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
