2024 Chenin Blanc
River Stone
Oliver, BC
$25.90
A part of River Stone’s Good Neighbours Series. The grapes for this wine came from the Columbia River area of Washington State. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is pronounced with aromas of honey, floral, lanolin, beeswax, peaches, citrus, and apples. Very good balance with full body. Big and round on the palate with flavours of honey, apple, citrus, and sweet green peas. A medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. Great with scallops and prawns or a clam linguini.
92 Points
2022 Riesling Kabinett
Toni Jost
Mittelrhein, Germany
$39.99
Lemon yellow with light intensity. A classic Riesling nose with well-integrated aromas of kerosene, minerality, lemon, orange peel, floral, stone fruit, apple, and honey. Very good balance. Mouth-watering and juicy on the palate with flavours reflecting the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a delicious low-alcohol (8% ABV) wine.
92 Points
2023 Pinot Rosato
Ciao Bella
West Kelowna, BC
$29.05
Cherry red with an orange tint and a medium intensity. An appealing nose showing aromas of orange zest, strawberry, cherry, rhubarb, and honeydew. Very good balance with good mouthfeel. Flavourful on the palate with flavours that echo the nose. A medium-plus finish.
91+ Points
2020 Drago Rosso (Merlot)
Paladin
Veneto, Italy
$26.95
Merlot from Italy? Yes! There isn’t much Merlot produced in Italy, but in this north-eastern region, there is still a little produced, and Paladin does a fine job with this variety. Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of beet root, black berry, dark cherry, black olive, sage, earth, plum, fruitcake, and a touch of leather. Good balance. The flavours echo the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Great value.
91 Points
2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$44.99
Fort Berens Reserve wines are made with 100% estate-grown grapes. These came from the Dry Creek Vineyard. The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, of which 55% were new and 45% were second fill. This is a big wine, with good depth. Dark garnet red with medium-deep intensity. A layered nose with aromas of black currant, blackberry, raspberry, cherry, spice, dusty herbs, pepper, plum, with hints of pencil shavings and smoke. Good balance and with firm ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose with a medium-plus finish. Serve this wine in a big-bowled glass to enhance the fruity nose. This wine is ready to drink now and is best served at cellar temperature. We enjoyed it with a curried chicken casserole, but it is also well suited to hickory-smoked barbecued ribs, grilled burgers, and Italian sausages.
93 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
