2022 Siegerrebe
Gray Monk
Okanagan Centre, BC
$22.00
This grape, developed in Germany in 1929 is a cross of Madeleine Angevine and Gewürztraminer. This example has a big nose of fresh fruit salad including peach, tangerine, lychee, honeydew melon, and tropical fruit. Good balance, medium-dry with good body. Pleasing aromas are reflected on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. At only 11% it is lovely patio wine or one to pour when guests arrive.
91+ Points
2021 Syrah
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$42.00
The grapes for this wine came from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Garnet black with deep intensity. A powerful, fruit-forward nose with aromas of red and black fruit, jammy, spice, and vanilla standing out. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The palate is concentrated with ripe fruit and a touch of white pepper. A medium-long finish.
93 Points
2021 Cabernet Franc (Old Vines)
Hester Creek
Oliver, BC
$30.89
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Juicy ripe berries, dusty herbs, plum, leafy, spice, delicate notes of toast and pencil shavings on the nose. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. This wine benefited from decanting and having ample time to breathe. I’ll be buying more to cellar for a while.
92 Points
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Treana)
Austin Hope
Paso Robles, California
$45.99
Garnet red with a slight tinge of purple and deep intensity. Lots of berries on the nose along with black currant, leafy, a touch of spice, plum, and hints of cedar, dust earth, and pencil shavings. Good balance with full body and silky-smooth tannins. Pleasing flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. Certainly approachable now, but it will clearly improve through 2031+.
89 Points
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley)
Beringer
Sonoma, California
$51.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose displays aromas of ripe blackberry, plum, black tea, cedar, a delicate touch of nutmeg, and hints of bacon, coconut, and sawdust. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins. This is a big wine. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus, slightly hot finish that faded with time. If drinking now, be sure to decant and give it lots of time to breathe. Age worthy for another five to ten years.
90 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
