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.
2016 OMG (Sparkling)
Blasted Church
Okanagan Falls, BC
$30.00
Yellow straw colour with medium-minus intensity. Lees, brioche, lemon, grapefruit, pear, and melon on the nose. Good balance with fine bubbles and good mousse. Well integrated on the palate with flavours following the nose. A medium-long finish. Delightful when released and even better with some age.
91 Points
2015 Riesling (Classic)
8th Generation
Summerland, BC
$20.90
Made from 30-year old vines. Straw coloured with medium-minus intensity. Classic aromas of petrol, wet stones, green apples, citrus, peach, honeysuckle, pineapple, melon, and floral notes. Well balanced. The aromas carry over to the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Great value wine. Very nicely aged. One for the Riesling freaks.
91 Points
2021 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$24.43
This vintage was one of the best values in BC. Dark cherry red with medium-plus intensity. A classic Pinot nose with aromas of dark cherries, black tea, forest floor, earth, black berry, black pepper, spice, leather, and tree moss. Well balanced with medium body. The flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Always good, but with aeration and time to breathe, wow!
94 Points
2012 Syrah
Siren’s Call
Okanagan Falls, BC
$25.00
Made by Mark Simpson (now at Mythology Vineyards in Osoyoos). Garnet/black with deep intensity. The nose is integrated with aromas of ripe black berry, black cherry, cassis, blueberry, black pepper, plum, savoury, pencil shavings, and with hints of cinnamon and chocolate. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The palate echoes the nose along with flavours of dark fruit, earth, licorice, and leather standing out. A medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Perhaps just slightly past its peak but still an amazing wine.
94 Points
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Don Melchor
Puente Alto, Chile
$NA
This wine was a gift from my son many years ago (current vintage price is $205.99). Garnet black with deep intensity. The nose is a cacophony of varietal aromas including black berry, black currant, cooked beet, plum, and notes of cedar, leather, soy, and sawdust. Well balanced with velvety smooth tannins. The palate shows primary, secondary, and tertiary flavours that reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish. A great match for a prime rib roast. Near its peak.
96 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
