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. A few years ago, I bought a couple of reds at my local private liquor 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.
2011 Quarteto Tinto (Bordeaux Blend)
Adega on 45th
Osoyoos, BC
$27.90
This blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec is Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. The nose is deep, dark and inky with aromas of dark cherries, plum, blackberries, spice, black pepper, and menthol. Good balance. Pleasing flavours on the nose that reflect the nose followed by a medium finish. Serve with BBQed hamburgers, pizza or roast beef.
89 Points
2013 Shiraz (Marcus Ansem)
Daydreamer
Penticton, BC.
$34.90
Not an Australian Shiraz, not a Rhone Syrah. BC Syrah certainly has its own style. In my opinion, it shows the best of both worlds. Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is deep and dark with tertiary aromas of tar, soy, earth, dark berries, black cherries, leather, stewed fruit and pencil shavings. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. Very surprisingly, not as good on the second day, likely an indication that this wine is at its peak.
92 Points
2013 Pinot Noir (McLean Creek Vineyard)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$40.00
Lovely at 10 years old. The grapes for this vintage were cropped at only 2 tons per acre and aged for 11 months in 33% new French oak barrels. Garnet red with a brick rim and medium-plus intensity. Dried fruit, stewed fruit, dried herbs, dried earth, black tea, forest floor, and a hint of cinnamon on the nose. Well balanced with velvety smooth ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. We enjoyed this with lasagna. It would also pair nicely with an herb-crusted pork loin.
93 Points
2019 Fudo Croce Imperio LXXIV (Primitivo)
Tinazzi
Faggiano, Apulia, Italy
$33.99
The southern region of Apulia lies on the eastern side of the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy. This wine (AKA Zinfandel) is garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is big and rich with aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, dried plum, spice, earth, tar, soy, and vanilla. Well balanced with full body and silky-smooth tannins. Bold on the palate with flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Serve this big wine with Oso Bucco, braised short ribs, and pork tenderloin with a cherry sauce.
92 Points
2014 Mantra (Bordeaux Blend
Kismet
Oliver, BC
$27.99
This is a blend of 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, and 10% Malbec. Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is big, deep, dark and rich and integrated with aromas of red and black fruit, cherry, plum, cassis, black berry, warm spice, earth, leather, a hint of menthol, and dark chocolate. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. Full on the palate with a symphony of flavours followed by a medium-long finish. Serve this elegant wine with steak, onions, and mushrooms.
94 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
