2019 Chardonnay (Dr. Bonnie Henry Tribute Series)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$30.52
The grapes for this wine come from the Old Main Road Vineyard in Naramata. Each year Meyer Family Vineyards selects a notable person to be honoured with their Tribute Series, and this year, understandably, their decision was Dr. Bonnie Henry, a name that is recognizable to virtually everyone in BC. Golden straw in colour with medium-minus intensity. The nose is oak forward (I love it) and inviting with aromas of apple, lemon, cantaloupe, butter, and a hint of banana. Well balanced. Pleasing on the palate with citrus, melon, and tropical fruit flavours dominating. A medium-long finish with buttery notes lingering. This will be a big hit with fans of better-quality California-styled chardonnays, though with much better structure. Impressive.
2020 Ortega (Estate)
Blue Grouse
Duncan, BC
$23.99
If you have never tasted Ortega, you need to and this one from Blue Grouse is a great place to start. Pale straw with just a hint of copper. The rich nose leads you to expect that the wine will have some residual sugar, but it is dry. The nose shows aromas of peach, apricot, fig, honeysuckle, pink grapefruit and delicate tree fruit. Well balanced. Flavours include citrus, peach, pear, mango and some floral notes followed by a medium-plus finish. Perfect to serve with fresh seafood or even a handful of salted almonds.
2017 Rosé des Pinots
Glass House
Langley, BC
$24.90
Burnt orange colour with medium-minus intensity. The nose is fruity with aromas of dried tree fruit, orange zest, watermelon, earth, and butterscotch. Good balance with a slightly sweet entry. The flavours mirror the nose along with baked apples, red fruit, kiwi, and dried apricot. A medium finish. Serve with salads, cucumber sandwiches or other light patio fares.
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Frida Kahlo)
Carmen
Maipo Valley, Chile
$19.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of blueberry, blackberry, black olive, plum, earth, sawdust and a hint of mint. Good balance with smooth round tannins. The aromas are reflected on the palate along with green pepper and cloves followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a good value wine.
2019 Border Vines
Moon Curser
Osoyoos, BC
$28.99
A Bordeaux-ish blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with additions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère and surprisingly perhaps, no Merlot. Garnet red with a purple rim and deep intensity. The nose is deep and dark with aromas of dark cherries, raspberries, plum, black olives, toast, and bell peppers. Good balance with ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose. A slightly hot medium-plus finish. This fruit bomb is just a baby right now. You will be amply rewarded for letting it age for a few years and it will continue to improve for an easy 5-10 years. If consuming now, decant, or even double decant, it and give it hours to breathe, then serve with some big protein (or Hawkins Cheezies).
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
