Wine Reviews June 28, 2022
2021 Rosé
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$21.99
This is a Pinot Noir dominant blend (79%), with small amounts of Merlot (13%), and Cabernet Franc (8%), all of which were estate grown. Winemaker Alex Nel felt that the small additions helped to boost the colour and add a note of complexity and fruit post-fermentation. The wine is cherry red with medium intensity. Aromas of cranberry, cherry, wild strawberry, and fresh cream on the nose. Well-balanced, full-bodied with an unctuous texture. Dried cherry and strawberry on the palate followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering.
2020 Gamay Noir
Chaberton
Langley, BC
$22.99
Ruby red with medium-minus intensity. The nose is fruit-forward with aromas of cherries, raspberries, huckleberries, and rose petals. Good balance and medium-light body. The palate reflects the nose followed by a medium finish with some slightly drying tannins. This is a light (11.5% ABV) easy-drinking red, best served with a slight chill on a warm sunny day. Great for picnics.
2018 Merlot
Hillside
Naramata, BC
$21.39
Garnet red with medium intensity. Dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, dark berries, chocolate, and spice on the nose. Good balance. Bing cherries, strawberries, rose petals, raspberries, and cloves on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
2019 Two Hoots
Fairview Cellars
Oliver, BC
$27.90
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. This ‘wow’ nose is a symphony of blackberry, black cherry, plum, dusty herbs, bramble, leafy, violets, menthol, and vanilla. Well balanced. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Be sure to decant this wine and give it lots of time to breathe so it can show its true colours.
2019 Dead of the Night
Moon Curser
Osoyoos, BC
$42.99
A blend of Syrah and Tannat, this unique wine is garnet/black in colour with a purple rim and deep intensity. It shows a big, deep nose of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, plum, mint, and cocoa powder. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. Big on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose followed by a. medium-long finish. This is, if you haven’t already guessed, a big wine with lots of concentration. Delicious when I opened it, but I’ll be aging the rest for another five to eight years. From the winery, “Tannat is a robust, tannic red grape that originates from the Madiran region of France and has recently also become known as the flagship grape of the wine regions of Uruguay. Moon Curser was the first winery to plant Tannat in the Okanagan in 2005 at its Home Vineyard in Osoyoos . . . The 2019 blend is slightly heavier in Tannat, allowing for fantastic aging potential.”
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
