2021 Riesling
Monte Creek
Monte Creek, BC
$29.99
Terroir is what gives this wine its character. Grown on their Lion’s Head vineyard which, “contains highly calcareous soils that help to generate the tension and acidity that all great Rieslings have.” Fermented cold and slow which helps to preserve aromatics. Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. An appealing integrated nose showing aromas of wet stones, lime, green apple, honey, apricot peel, and grapefruit rind. Good balance with refreshing acidity. The palate is elegant and delicate with flavours of Lemon, honeysuckle, pineapple, and lavender on the palate. A medium-plus finish. A very versatile food wine.
2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Greywacke
Marlborough, New Zealand
$28.99
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. Lemon, grass, honeydew melon, white flowers, wet stones, and grapefruit peel on the nose. Well balanced. Honey, green apple, melon, lemon, and peach on the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. A very good example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
2020 Chardonnay (Crooked Post)
Fairview Cellars
Oliver, BC
$27.00
Golden straw with medium intensity. Honey, apple, lemon, and grapefruit, Well balanced with a creamy texture. and melon on the nose. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-long finish. This Chardonnay over-delivers for the price.
2020 Cabernet Franc
Blasted Church
Okanagan Falls, BC
$32.00
Garnet red with a hint of purple and deep intensity. The nose was initially a little muted but upon opening, it displayed aromas of blackberries, cherries, raspberries, beetroot, dusty, leafy, pepper, and cocoa powder. Good balance with firm ripe tannins. Big fruit on the palate with flavours of red and black berries, cherries, plum, leafy, spice, vanilla, and a hint of mint. A medium-plus finish with some slightly drying tannins. Even better two days later. This one will benefit from another 3 to 8 years of cellaring. If opening now, give lots of time to decant and serve with prime rib.
2018 Syrah
Moon Curse
Osoyoos, BC
$26.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. Black fruit and berries, black olive, herbs, dark chocolate, plum, a hint of black licorice, earth, savoury, clove, and with time, tar and soy. Very good balance with smooth, ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Harmonious from beginning to end. Good now and even better in 3 to 8 years. Serve with a ribeye steak.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
