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.
2020 Chardonnay (Tribute Series – Terry Threlfall)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$31.39
A four-year-old Chardonnay is typically a bit young for me to include here but I decided to as it is no longer available and was a small lot release, but savvy buyers just might have one still lingering in their cellars. Golden yellow with medium intensity. Butter, lemon, toast, yellow apple, banana, melon, and nectarine on the nose. Very good balance with a creamy texture. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Well made.
93 Points
2016 Pinot Noir
Carson
Okanagan Falls, BC
$39.90
Dark garnet red with medium-deep intensity. The nose is integrated with aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, plum, black tea, earth, graphite, leather, forest floor and a hint of black pepper. Very good balance and good mouthfeel. Cherry pie filling, spice, stewed plum, hints of herbs, strawberry jam, and vanilla flavours on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. An impressive showing from winemaker Chris Carson.
92 Points
2014 Living Desert Red
Bordertown
Osoyoos, BC
$24.99
A Meritage-styled blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon made from low-cropped estate fruit. Garnet red with a touch of bricking and medium-deep intensity. The nose is woven with aromas of dried fruit – cherries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, and plum along with dusty herbs, earth, spice, sandalwood, and pencil shavings. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The aromas carry over to the palate followed by a medium-plus, slightly hot finish that was not an issue when sampled with cheese. Noticeably improved since the last time I tasted this in 2019. It was a lovely match for our slow-roasted leg of lamb and near its peak.
91+ Points
2015 Cabernet Franc
Vanessa Vineyard
Cawston, BC
$49.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is big and complex with aromas of dark cherry, dusty plum, dust leaves, white pepper, baking spice, earth, and a hint of sandalwood. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. Big and full on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose followed by. A medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. Impressive.
94 Points
2014 Signature (Bordeaux Blend)
Clos du Soleil
Keremeos, BC
$44.90
This is a ‘classic’ blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 38%, Merlot 37%, Petit Verdot 14%, Cabernet Franc 8% and Malbec 3%. Dark garnet red with some bricking and deep intensity. The nose is complex and layered with dark ripe berries, dusty herbs, black cherry, plum, sweet spice, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of fruit cake. Well balanced with velvety smooth tannins. Rich on the palate with flavours reflecting the nose followed by a medium-long finish. At its peak and a delight to drink.
96 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
