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.
2016 Gewürztraminer
The Chase
Lake Country, BC
$21.00
For those confused by the name, it is the one that O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars opened under. Lemon yellow with medium intensity. A big nose showing aromas of lime, minerality, spice, hints of Lychee, passionfruit, and roses. Very good balance. The flavours follow the nose along with honey, grapefruit, and mango. A medium-plus finish.
2017 Pinot Gris (Foundation Vineyard)
Compass Wine Company
Oliver, BC
$20.00
Another name change. When Second Chapter first opened it used the name ‘Compass’ until it found its way to a permanent name. Straw coloured with medium intensity. The nose shows aromas of lemon, ambrosia apple, honeysuckle and white peach. Good balance. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish with lingering grapefruit pith.
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.
2008 Pinotage
Stoneboat
Oliver, BC
$24.91
Garnet red with a hint of brick and medium-deep intensity. The nose opens with aged dried red fruit, especially plum, cherry, dark berries, spice and chocolate. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-plus, slightly warm finish.
2012 Syrah (Oldfield Series)
Tinhorn Creek
Oliver, BC
$36.49
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose opens with a symphony of dark berries, black cherry, black pepper, plum, dried herbs, pencil shavings, and hints of eucalyptus and chocolate. Well balanced with velvety smooth ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. Impressive.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
