2022 Chardonnay
Gray Monk
Okanagan Centre, BC
$29.99
Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. Apple peel, ripe pear, minerality, citrus, a slight metallic note, pineapple, and a hint of banana on the nose. Good balance. Apple, pear, pineapple, tropical fruit, and mandarin on the palate. A medium-plus finish.
88 Points
2018 Ehrenfelser / Riesling
Carter Wine Company
Okanagan Falls, BC
$20.88
This blend is 20% Ehrenfelser and 80% Riesling. Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. The nose shows aromas of apple, lime, lemon cream, minerality, and honeysuckle. Good balance. Pleasing on the palate followed by a medium finish. Only 46 cases were made.
87 Points
2022 Rosé
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$25.99
Made from predominantly Pinot Noir, this estate-grown wine is pale cherry red with medium-light intensity. The nose is delicate with integrated aromas of cherry, cranberries, raspberries, ripe wild strawberry, and fresh cream. Good balance. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a lovely afternoon/luncheon wine or pair with BC salmon.
88 Points
2019 Zinfandel
Rust
Oliver, BC
$29.99
I saw this one on sale at a local LRS (private liquor store) and was pleased with the price. The current release goes for $43. It always pays to scan the shelves and see if you can find older vintages with their corresponding older prices. The grapes for this wine came from the South Rock Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench which sits at 333 metres with an SE aspect and is comprised of fluvial fan of gravelly clay and eroded mountain rock. The wine spent 10 months in new (40%) American and French oak. It was bottled unfiltered and unfined. The seemingly high alcohol (15.9%) is only slightly noticeable on the palate and finish. Dark garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Black pepper, blackberry, cherries, cinnamon, fruitcake, plum, raisin, and pencil shavings on the nose. Good balance with full body and velvety smooth ripe tannins. The flavours are slightly lifted on the palate and echo the nose. The medium-plus finish is noticeably warm.
90 Points
2022 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley)
Meyer Family Vineyards
$24.43
Ruby red with medium intensity. There’s no doubt what this wine is with aromas of forest floor, spice, ripe juicy dark cherries, and black tea, with hints of game and vanilla. Very good balance and mouthfeel. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. This is a bright, versatile food wine.
91 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
