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.
2018 Chardonnay (Reserve)
Coolshanagh
Naramata, BC
$34.00
This vintage has improved noticeably since I last tasted it a year ago. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose shows a lovely interplay of oak and fruit with aromas of citrus, apple, melon, honey, butter, and vanilla dominating. Well balanced. Flavourful on the palate, echoing the nose followed by a medium-long lingering finish.
94 Points
2015 Pinot Noir
Church and State
Oliver, BC$35.00
Dark garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Black cherry, stewed plums, black tea, warm earth, ripe raspberry, strawberry pie, and a touch of leather on the palate. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Flavourful on the palate with flavours of blackberries, rhubarb, black tea, strawberries and cranberries followed by a medium-plus, slightly warm finish.
92 Points
2018 Syrah
Bordertown
Osoyoos, BC
$29.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Blackberry, black pepper, black cherry, blueberry, dried herbs, plum and leather on the nose. Very good balance. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus, slightly hot finish (though only 14% ABV).
91 Points
2005 Cuvée Viva
Chateau Gigault
Cotes de Blaye, France
$35.00
Garnet red with a hint of brick rim and medium-deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of red and black fruit, spice, minerality, pepper, ripe plum, earth, and pencil shavings. Good balance and good structure. Plum, ripe cherries, fruitcake, leather, and a hint of chocolate on the palate. A medium plus finish. This wine has improved since I first tasted it in 2012. Very good right now and possibly better in another few years.
91 Points
2015 Merlot Reserve (Sagemoor Vineyard)
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$30.00
From Washington State’s Sagemoor Vineyard. Garnet red with a tinge of brick rim and medium-deep intensity. An aromatic varietal nose that hits all the right notes – beetroot, blackberry, black cherry, black olives, fruitcake, stewed plums, chocolate, caramel, and pencil shavings. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The aromas are carried over onto the palate followed by a medium-long lingering finish. Hitting its peak.
96+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
