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.
2019 Chenin Blanc (Reserve Old Vine)
Ken Forrester
Stellenbosch, South Africa
$21.99
The philosophy at Ken Forrester Vineyards is “To achieve the harmonious balance between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavours.” Golden yellow with medium intensity. An inviting nose of lime, melon, fresh apricot, pear, grapefruit, white flowers, and honey. Very good balance. Clean and fresh on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours of citrus, honey and beeswax lingering. Serve with pan-fried cod, seafood, or curries. Excellent value. Drink thru 2029.
92 Points
2018 White Pinot Noir
SpearHead
Kelowna, BC
$28.00
Pale straw with medium-light intensity. Lime zest, lemon cream, green apple, pear, gunflint, white grapefruit, and green beans on the nose. Very good balance and good mouthfeel. Full flavour on the palate with lemon zest, cream, and melon flavours standing out followed by a medium-plus finish with bright flavours lingering. A versatile food wine. Try serving with pasta alfredo, or white fish.
91 Points
2015 Merlot
Black Sage
Summerland, BC
$23.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Beetroot, blackberry, dark cherry, plum, a touch of cinnamon, a hint of herbaceous, and a dash of chocolate. Good balance with velvety smooth tannins. Big, fruity, and ripe on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish with vanilla flavours lingering. This big wine needs decanting.
90 Points
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Blackwood Lane
Langley, BC
$49.00
Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is dark and inky with lifted aromas of dark berries, bramble, black currant, prunes, black olives, cedar, earth, leather, almonds, and pencil shavings. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose along with black tea followed by a medium-long finish.
94 Points
2014 Grand Vin
Gold Hill
Oliver, BC
$64.99
Garnet/black with the slightest hint of brick and deep intensity. The nose is rich and complex with a classic Meritage nose showing aromas of dark berries, dust herbs, black currant, black olives, black cherries, plum, and sweet spice. Very good balance. The palate is integrated and elegant. A medium-long finish with subtleties lingering. This is a big, bold wine that has aged very nicely.
95 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
