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.
2019 Riesling
Four Shadows
Penticton, BC
$22.99
Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. Lime, ripe peach, honey, and minerality on the nose. Good balance – a sweet entry but with enough acidity to balance the residual sugar. The sweetness makes for a mouth-watering juicy fruit on the palate. Bright fruit lingers on the medium-long finish. At only 10.9% ABV this is a lovely luncheon or patio wine. Pair well with Asian foods, fresh fruit, or strong aged cheeses.
89 points
2015 Mantra (Bordeaux Blend)
Kismet
Oliver, BC
$32.49
A blend of Malbec 31%, Cabernet Franc 31%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Merlot 15%, and Petit Verdot 8%. Garnet red/black with deep intensity. Earthy, meaty, blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla on the nose. Well balanced with soft ripe tannins. Big fruit on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. An interesting juxtaposition with Malbec and Cabernet Franc leading the blend and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot playing secondary roles. Still has a few years to go before peaking. Good value.
91 points
2016 Portfolio
Laughing Stock
Penticton, BC
$52.00
This Bordeaux-style wine is a blend of 51% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels – 33% new and 67% second fill. Garnet red with deep intensity. Red and black fruit on the nose along with baking spice. Well balanced with soft velvety, well-integrated tannins. Rich and layered on the palate with flavours following the nose. A medium-long finish with flavours lingering.
93 points
2011 Syrah Reserve
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$NA
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Blackberry, blueberry pie, black pepper, cocoa, and spice on the nose. Well balanced with velvety smooth tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish with fruit flavours lingering. Wish I had more in the cellar.
94 points
2014 McLean Creek Pinot Noir
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls
$40.00
Garnet red with some bricking and medium-deep intensity. The nose is layered and complex with well-integrated aromas of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, herbs, and spice. Very good balance with smooth soft tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Beautiful.
94 points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
