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 similar to 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.
2010 Shiraz
Sunrock (Jackson-Triggs)
Oliver, BC
$31.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Inviting, delicate fruit on the nose – raspberry, red cherries, with cocoa and vanilla. Good balance, though slightly thin body. Pleasing on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose followed by a medium finish. I was expecting more from this wine, but it just didn’t deliver.
86+ Points
2015 Cabernet Franc
Gold Hill
Oliver, BC
$34.99
2015 was a great year for BC reds, and this wine is a shining example of that vintage. Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is deep and layered with classic varietal character – black currant, dusty leaf, pepper, plum, raspberry, spice, earth, savoury notes, and pencil shavings. Very well-balanced. The flavours echo the nose along with some licorice undertones followed by a medium-long finish. This wine was great upon release and is still going strong.
96 Points
2015 Petit Claret
Vin Amité
Oliver, BC
$28.90
This is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Garnet/black with deep intensity. Deep and inky on the nose with aromas of beetroot, blackberry, black currant, black olive, black cherry, plum, earth, perfume, leaf, and graphite. Very good balance. Jammy ripe fruit on the palate followed by a slightly hot finish.
93 Points
2012 Petit Sirah
Ravenswood
Acampo, California
$NA (gift $20?)
Garnet red with deep intensity. A well-aged nose showing aromas of dark, dried fruit, soy, leather, cedar, graphite, perfume, cocoa, leather, and almonds. Well balanced with full body. Velvety on the palate with lots of dark fruit followed by a medium-long finish. Perfect with dark chocolate.
92 Points
2015 Provenir
Lakeside Cellars
Osoyoos, BC
$37.99
This wine is a blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, and 33% Merlot aged in French and American oak for 24 months. Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is rich and complex with interwoven blackberry, black currant, black cherry, beetroot, a touch of cinnamon, plum, and earth. Well balanced. Integrated fruit on the palate that reflects the nose followed by a medium-long finish with fruit flavours lingering.
95+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
