In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include 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. I am a big advocate for aging BC wines.
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 that I have to blow the dust off of. There are no hard and fast rules. I recently bought a couple of reds at my local VQA store that were 2010 vintages (and at 2010 prices!). 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 and are enjoying the benefits of doing so.
Prices indicated are the costs when purchased.
2018 Chardonnay
Mirabel
Kelowna, BC
$28.00
Mirabel is a small winery specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and this focus translates into some fine wines. Golden yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose shows aromas of peach, apricot, melon, tangerine, honey, and pineapple along with delicate undertones of butter, vanilla, and toast. Good balance. Bright on the palate with flavours of lemon pie, melon, orange zest, white grapefruit and gunflint. Bright fruit lingers on a medium-long finish.
90 Points
2018 Carménère
Moon Curser
Osoyoos, BC
$39.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is rich and inviting with aromas of blackberry, cassis, canned cherry juice, prune, earth, leather, and vanilla. Good balance with firm ripe tannins. The palate is pleasing though not as pronounced as the nose. A medium-plus finish with some drying tannins. A little young yet, so be sure to decant. I’ll wait another 3 – 5 years to open the next one. Serve with grilled burgers or ripe cheese.
89 points
2016 Malbec (Rattlesnake Vineyard)
Second Chapter
Oliver, BC
$40.00
Purple/black with deep intensity. The nose is dark and inky with aromas of black pepper, black fruit, tar, dark cherry, blueberry, bramble, chocolate, gravel, and plum. Very good balance with ripe tannins that are softening. Flavourful on the palate with aromas carrying over. A medium-long finish that is slightly warm (14.9% ABV) despite the plentiful fruit. It cries out for big protein. Still age-worthy for another 3-8 years.
92 Points
2014 Syrah
Chaberton
Langley. BC
$26.42
Garnet red with deep intensity. An integrated savoury and fruit aromas including ripe blackberry, black currant, black pepper, sweet spice, stewed plums, earth, leather, a hint of game, and pencil shavings. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. A good match for braised short ribs.
92 Points
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sagemoor Vineyard)
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$40.00
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. The nose is deep and layered with aromas of vanilla, ripe fruit, big juicy berries, cherries, cassis, cinnamon, nutmeg, plum, a hint of leather, licorice, cedar, and sawdust. Very good balance with full body. Rich on the palate with flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-long finish. This is a big, rich, and concentrated wine. Definitely one for the cab lovers. Be sure to decant. Serve with brisket, beef stew or game.
93 Points
All photos Sam Hauck
