2019 Chardonnay
Vintner’s Cove
Oliver, BC
$34.70
Golden straw with medium-minus intensity. Butter, apple pie, melon, mandarin orange, and citrus undertones. Good balance with a creamy texture. The flavours follow the nose, along with tropical fruit, honey and grapefruit. A medium-long finish.
2020 Rosé Aurore
Cote Mas
Languedoc/Roussillon, France
$14.99
This one -litre bottle is very popular, especially given its price point. Pale cherry red with medium-light intensity. The nose is delicate but inviting with aromas of red berries, watermelon, cherry, and a hint of orange blossom. Good balance with a slightly sweet entry, but there is enough acidity to balance. Fresh and clean on the palate with a hint of cranberry tartness followed by a medium finish. A delightful good-value patio sipper.
2018 Momento
Evolve
Penticton, BC
$23.99
This easy-drinking blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah is attractively priced and sure to impress many. It is garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Prune, cherry, currant, cinnamon, and earth on the nose. Good balance with a slightly sweet entry and soft tannins. Pleasing fruit on the palate along with a touch of smoke and pepper followed by a medium-plus finish. Pour a glass when friends drop over.
2018 Gamay
Haywire
Summerland, BC
$27.99
The grapes for this wine come from the Secrest Mountain Vineyard in Oliver. The grapes were destemmed and a portion was left as whole clusters for a carbonic fermentation. It was fermented in concrete tanks and then aged for eight months, again in concrete then bottled unfiltered. Garnet red in colour with medium-plus intensity. The nose shows aromas of dried red fruit, cherry, earth, vanilla, and a hint of spice. Good balance. Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, and earthy on the palate followed by a medium finish.
2018 Shiraz (Valley Floor)
Langmeil
Barossa, South Australia
$34.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is well integrated with aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, delicate baking spice, graphite, and pencil shavings. Well balanced. The flavours reflect the nose along with menthol, aniseed, and red currant, followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Impressive Aussie Shiraz.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
