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 over five years old (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.
2018 Chardonnay (Estate Cuvée)
Blue Mountain
Okanagan Falls, BC
$29.99
This wine, ” . . . has been fermented and aged in oak barrels and foudres for 10 months, then cellared in bottle for an additional six. This allows for the greater richness and creaminess associated with aging on lees . . .” Blue Mountain has a well-deserved reputation for consistently well-made wines. Lemon yellow with medium intensity. The nose is luscious with aromas of butter, lemon, apple, mango, honey, and cashew. Well balanced with a creamy texture. Rich on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose along with peach, melon, and grapefruit followed by a medium-long finish. An excellent match for crab cakes, creamy pasta, roasted chicken or pork loin.
93 Points
2019 Gamay Noir
Oak Bay (St. Hubertus)
Kelowna, BC
$21.99
BC makes some impressive Gamay Noir. It is a shame more producers don’t give it a try. Garnet red with medium-plus intensity. Dark cherry, forest floor, raspberry, and delicate undertones of violets and chocolate on the nose. Good balance. Red fruit dominates the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Ready to consume.
90 Points
2013 Pinot Noir (McLean Creek Road Vineyard)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$40.00
Garnet brick in colour with medium-plus intensity. Beetroot, black cherry, prune, pepper, bacon, herbs, plum, forest floor, and cigar box on the nose. Very good balance. The flavours follow the nose with dark fruit dominating. A medium-plus finish. A consistent favourite.
91 Points
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Vanessa Vineyards
Similkameen Valley, BC
$79.99
This can be a tough grape to ripen in BC, even when grown close to the border, though there are often very good examples in warm years. Depth and concentration make this one of the best. Very good when opened, but will continue to improve with time to breathe. Garnet black with deep intensity. The nose is rich and integrated with aromas of dark fruit and berries blackberries, dark cherries, cranberries, earth and spice. Very good balance. It is a well-integrated wine from beginning to end with a long lingering finish. This powerhouse wine will make any cab lover go, “Wow!” Buy it while you can as it will likely be one of their best vintages for years to come.
95 Points
2010 Syrah
Church and State
Oliver, BC
$35.00
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Lots of depth on the nose with aromas of earth, blackberry, chocolate, ripe dark cherry, stewed plum, menthol, pencil shavings, delicate clove and nutmeg and a dusting of black pepper. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish with flavours intensifying. This wine improved with time to breathe so be sure to decant. Beautifully aged and near its peak.
95+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
