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.
Prices indicated are the costs when purchased.
2020 Chardonnay
Monte Creek
Monte Creek, BC
$21.99
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is well integrated with aromas of apple, lemon, banana, a hint of toast, mandarin, and a touch of hazelnut. Good balance with a creamy texture. Lemon, butter, pineapple, lanolin, and cream on the palate, followed by a lingering medium-plus finish.
90 Points
2017 The Climb (Red Blend)
Joiryde
Penticton, BC
$34.90
Garnet red with deep intensity. An inviting nose showing an interplay of red and black fruit, vanilla, plum, spice, chocolate, earth, and marjoram. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours mirror the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Nicely aged at 8 years and still has more to go.
91 Points
2016 Pinot Noir
Privato
Kamloops, BC
$25.19
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. A classic Pinot nose showing aromas of black cherry, raspberry, black tea, plum, dried strawberry, earth, forest floor, leather, prune, and cigar box. Good balance. The flavours reflect the nose, followed by a medium-long finish. A joy to drink.
92 Points
2020 Malbec
Nagging Doubt
Kelowna, BC
$31.90
Garnet black with deep intensity. A fruit-forward nose showing aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black pepper, raspberry, and plum. Very good balance with soft, smooth tannins. The flavours echo the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. This lovely, easy-drinking wine is only 12.3% ABV.
91+ Points
2017 The Arch Doxy (Cabernet Franc)
Crown and Thieves
West Kelowna
$44.99
Garnet/black with deep intensity. Dark and inky on the nose with aromas of blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, dust, leafy, plum, spice, dried coconut, and toast. Well-balanced with smooth ripe tannins. Ripe fruit on the palate, including cherries, raspberries, rhubarb, cranberries, and blueberries. A medium-long warm finish (16.1 ABV). Serve this big wine with something hearty, such as BBQ ribs or prime rib au jus.
94 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)