From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

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.

2020 White Meritage (McWatters Collection
TIME Family of Wines
Penticton, BC
$29.00
Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity.  Lemon, lime, grapefruit peel, apricot peel, ginger, apple, hay, and gunflint on the nose.  Good balance.  The flavours follow the nose, though slightly muted.  A mouth-watering medium-long finish.  Serve with salmon, white fish, pan-fried chicken thighs, or curries.
91 Points

2020 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
Siren’s Call
Okanagan Falls, BC
$24.49
This wine was made by Mark Simpson, now at Mythology Vineyard in Osoyoos.  Pale lemon yellow with medium-light intensity.  The impressive nose is reminiscent of a classic white Bordeaux with varietal aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit, a touch of pineapple, green apple, melon, floral and honey.  Very good balance.  Flavours on the palate are well-integrated and echo the nose.  A medium-long finish.
93 Points

2014 Pinot Noir (Silver)
Little Engine
Penticton, BC
$35.00
Dark garnet/brick with medium-plus intensity.  A ‘wow’ nose showing aromas of dark cherry, dried red fruit, hay, forest floor, beetroot, black tea, cinnamon, stewed plums, rose petals, humus, and cocoa. Very good balance with silky smooth tannins.  Bright and juicy on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose followed by a medium-long finish.  Elegant and harmonious from start to finish.  So glad I hung on to this one and opened it near its peak.
94 Points

2011 GSM
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$44.99
Garnet red with a tinge of brick on the rim and medium-deep intensity.  A beautifully aged nose with lots of tertiary aromas.  It opens with dry fruit, tar, soy, stewed plums, anise, dark cherries, and beetroot.  Very well-balanced.  Tons of flavour on the palate with plenty of fresh fruit followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering.  Beautiful!
95 Points

2013 Syrah
Painted Rock
Penticton, BC
$39.90
Garnet/black with deep intensity.  The nose is deep and layered with tertiary aromas.  Ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, beetroot, spice leather, dried herbs, plum, cocoa, soy, and pencil shavings.  Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins.  Rich and round on the palate with flavours reflecting the nose along with raspberry, black tea, rhubarb, and vanilla followed by a medium-long finish.   Impressive.
95+ Points

 

(All photos – Sam Hauck)

 

 

 

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