2019 Chardonnay
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$20.99
Made primarily from estate grapes, this wine is lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. The nose opens with lemon, honey, tangerine, lime zest, white flowers and gentle buttery notes. Well balanced. Fresh on the palate with the flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-long finish. This is a bargain BC chardonnay that over-delivers.
2019 Saintly (Rosé)
Artera/Jackson Triggs
Oliver, BC
$18.59
This a label produced by Artera, the parent company of Jackson Triggs. Copper coloured with medium-minus intensity. Sweet cherry, ripe strawberry, and tangerine zest on the nose. Good balance with a sweet entry. The flavours follow the nose. A medium finish. This is one to open for a crowd. Serve well chilled on the patio.
2017 Skulls (Shiraz)
Full Glass Wines
South Australia, Australia
$19.99
Well, this is the first time I have had to include two bottle shots – front and back. Garnet/black colour with deep intensity. The nose is deep with ripe blackberry, chocolate, raspberry, plum, mint, wet slate middle, and vanilla. Good balance with full-bodied with smooth ripe tannins. This wine is a fruit bomb on the palate with clove, plum, cherry, blueberry, and vanilla on the back end. Drying tannins on the medium-plus finish. Ready to drink now, but will continue to improve for three to eight years.
2016 Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva
Mazzei
Castellina, Italy
$30.99
This impressive Chianti Classico is garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Lots of dark fruit and berries on the nose including cherry, plum, raspberry, spice, dust, and savoury notes. Good balance with subtle tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish.
2018 Syrah
TIME
Penticton, BC
$39.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Ripe fruit on the nose – blackberries, black cherries, plum, black pepper, menthol, earth, and spicy undertones. Well balanced with soft ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Very impressive for a relatively young wine. Be sure to decant.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
