In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am including a new one that will appear from time to time. I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’.
It will be much like the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines that have been aged.
It came to my attention that in an earlier review, I included a wine that is no longer made by a certain winery. They were very happy with the mention and my positive comments, but they were concerned someone might try to track down a bottle and be disappointed when they found it wasn’t being produced any longer. So, from now on I will keep the ‘Wednesday Wine Review’ to recent vintages that should still be available and ‘From the Cellar’ for those I have to blow the dust off. There are no hard and fast rules. I recently bought a couple of reds at my local liquor store that were 2010 vintages (a great deal in my eyes). While most people drink what they buy in a matter of days, if not hours, more and more people are realizing the benefits of holding on to some of their wines.
Prices indicated are the costs when purchased.
2015 Pinot Gris
Privato
Kamloops, BC
$19.99
Straw coloured with medium-minus intensity. The nose shows aromas of golden apple, pear, beeswax, citrus, melon, almonds, and honeysuckle. Well balanced with a creamy texture. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. This is a rather different Pinot Gris, but very enjoyable. Nothing has been lost at 7 years old. If I had another, I’d love to revisit it in another 3 to 5 years. Very good.
2018 Merlot
Intrigue
Lake Country, BC
$20.00
Garnet red with medium-light intensity. Red and black fruit, beetroot, red berries, and a hint of dusty herbs on the nose. on the nose. Good balance with medium-plus body. Red fruit and berries, anise, and earth on the palate followed by a medium finish.
2014 Cabernet Franc
Vinoscenti Vineyards
Surrey, BC
$26.00
Garnet red with a slight hint of brick and medium-plus intensity. Aromas of dust, plum, berries, cherries, leaf, violets, savoury, and pencil shavings with sandalwood undertones. Good balance with medium-body. Pleasant flavours on the palate, though less intense than the nose. A medium-plus finish.
2007 GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$24.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is dark and inky with aromas of dark berries, cherries, earth, bramble, plum, meaty, savoury, cocoa powder, tar, leather, and a hint of soy. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Elegant and harmonious. A delight to drink.
2010 The Boxer Shiraz
Mollydooker
McLaren Vale, South Australia
$34.99
Garnet black with deep intensity. The nose is bold with aromas of dark cherries, raspberries, menthol, blueberry, and plum. This wine is big and at 16% ABV, almost too big. Powerful on the palate with flavours reflecting the nose followed by a medium finish. Many will like this highly extracted wine, but I found it lacked finesse. Serve with burgers or ribs.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
