2020 Blanc de Blancs
Sandhill
Kelowna, BC
$34.90
This is Sandhill’s first venture into sparkling wine production. Sydney Valentino can be mighty proud of her debut traditional method bubble. It has been a three-year project that was kept under wraps until its release. The chardonnay grapes for this wine came from the Naramata Bench and spent 18 months resting on its lees. Golden straw in colour with medium-minus intensity. The nose shows aromas of lemon, brioche, lees, a touch of honey, apple, grilled pineapple, and pie crust. Good balance with bright acidity and fine persistent bubbles. Clean on the palate with pleasing flavours reflecting the nose followed by a mouth-watering medium-plus finish. We enjoyed this with some weekend movie night popcorn. With only 225 cases produced, don’t delay if you wish to snag a bottle.
91 Points
2022 Autumn Tryst
Skimmerhorn
Creston, BC
$22.00
People who know their winemakers are likely familiar with the name James Cambridge. Before moving to the Kootenays and finding the ideal place to raise a family, he earned his chops working at Summerhill, Le Vieux Pin, Fort Berens, and Backyard. Anyone who may think it strange that wine is made in Creston should remember that this town hugs the US border and is home to four wineries. This tasty blend is very pale straw with medium-light intensity. The nose is delicate and appealing with aromas of honeysuckle, tree fruit, pink grapefruit, tangerine, and peach. Good balance. The palate is crisp, refreshing, and fruit-forward with flavours of peach, melon, and lime dominating. A medium-plus finish with hints of rosewater lingering. A lovely afternoon/patio wine.
90 Points
2022 Riesling
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$22.99
Pale straw with medium-light intensity. Lime, minerality, pear, apricot, honey, pineapple, wet stones, and lemon cream on the nose. Very good balance with good mouth-feel and a hint of spritz. The palate echoes the nose followed by a medium-plus finish with pear flavours lingering. At only 11.6% ABV, this is a lovely, versatile luncheon wine.
91 Points
2021 Merlot (Anarchy)
Mayhem
Okanagan Falls, BC
$39.23
Made with whole berry fermentation and aged for 20 months in French oak, the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Only 120 cases were made. Garnet/black with deep intensity. Red and black fruit – cherry, plum, raspberry, rhubarb, black olive, cinnamon, meaty, and vanilla aromas on the nose. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Pleasing fruit on the palate that reflects the nose followed by a medium-plus finish that shows some drying tannins. Great now and will only improve over the next five to eight years. (Some friends dropped by before we finished this wine and they loved it – and drank it all!)
93 Points
2018 Cross to Bear (100% Cabernet Franc)
Blasted Church
Okanagan Falls, BC
$40.00
Garnet black with deep intensity. The nose is deep, rich, and layered with aromas of black currant, dusty herbs, black pepper, plum, spice, earth, and pencil shavings. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. Big on the palate with the flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. Be sure to decant this wine so it can show its best. Delicious now and cellar-worthy for three to eight years.
92 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
