2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Reserva Especial)
Santa Rita 120
Valle Central, Chile
$11.99
This value-priced wine over-delivers. Great for an everyday wine to keep in the fridge. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. Aromas of lemon, honey, melon, fresh-cut grass, and hints of green apple and green beans on the nose. Good body with medium-plus body. Apple, honey, and melon on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
2018 Chardonnay (Coyote Bowl)
Church and State
Oliver, BC
$27.99
Lemon yellow colour with medium-light intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of apple, lemon-lime, pineapple, apricot, buttered toast, and undertones of celery. Good balance. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus buttery finish.
2019 Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir)
Ciao Bella
West Kelowna, BC
$28.95
Garnet red with medium-plus intensity. The nose opens with minerality (iron), cherry, dried strawberry, beetroot, black tea, dusty herbs, forest floor, and cigar box. Very good balance. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. A Pinot Noir lover’s delight and great value for this quality.
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cousino-Macul
Valle de Maipo, Chile
$23.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Red ripe fruit, berries, spice, cocoa, dust, baking spice, and a hint of tobacco leaf on the nose. Well balanced with good mouthfeel and smooth ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-long finish. Impressive for the price. Decant or age for 3 – 5 years.
2018 Valpolicella Superior (Ripasso)
Villalato
Trento, Italy
$22.99
Garnet red, with some bricking and medium-deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of bacon, savoury, raisin, baking spice, stewed plums, dried herbs, fig, and a hint of forest floor. Very good balance with velvety tannins. Rich on the palate with flavours that reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish with ripe dried fruit lingering. Great with spaghetti and meat sauce. This wine truly over-delivers.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
