2021 Gewürztraminer
Upper Bench
Penticton, BC
$25.00
Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. This aromatic nose offers lychee, mango, red apple peel, delicate lime zest, and floral notes. Nicely balanced acidity and sugar. Pleasing fruit on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Interestingly, this wine improved significantly with time to breathe.
91 Points
2022 Chardonnay
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$21.83
Light lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. An inviting nose showing aromas of apple, citrus, stone fruit, butter, and undertones of honey and vanilla. Very good balance. Juicy and flavourful on the palate, followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Serve with steelhead trout or an herb-rubbed roasted chicken.
91+ Points
2024 Rosé (Here and There Series)
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$23.49
I usually expect Rosés from Fort Berens to be made from Pinot Noir, but as the winery states, “We made this aromatic Rosé with Shiraz grapes from a single vineyard on the Wahluke Slope in Washington.” Cherry red with medium intensity. A very appealing nose of cherry, strawberry, cranberry, orange peel, honeysuckle, and a hint of watermelon. Very good balance with a creamy texture. Full on the palate with flavours echoing the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. Serve with grilled Italian sausages, salmon or barbecued teriyaki chicken thighs.
92 Points
2021 Celestiale
Clos du Soleil
Keremeos, BC
$31.45
This is a Bordeaux-style blend of 55% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and 7% Petit Verdot. Garnet red with medium-deep plus intensity. The nose is fruit-forward with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, fruitcake, spice, and cedar. Very good balance. Mouth-watering on the palate with flavours following the nose. A medium-plus finish. Celestiale is always a delicious blend. A versatile food wine.
91+ Points
2021 Vinho Tinto
Da Silva
Penticton, BC
$31.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is deep and dark with aromas of tar, leather, red and black fruit, black pepper, and beetroot. Very good balance with medium-plus body and firm tannins. Black tea, cherry, blueberry, prune, and dried strawberry on the palate, followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. This wine benefits from decanting and time to breathe, or further aging.
92+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)