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 ten-year-old vintages (and at their release 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.
2018 Nothing Sacred (Bordeaux Blend)
Blasted Church
Okanagan Falls, BC
$40.00
A blend of 38% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec, and 12% Petit Verdot. Garnet/black with deep intensity. Cherry, raspberry, steely, blackberry, nutmeg, and red currant on the nose. Good balance with firm ripe tannins. Dark berries, cherries, rhubarb, and tea leaf on the palate. A medium-plus finish. Age-worthy for another three to 10 years.
89 Points
2017 Garnacha (Senda)
Las Moradas
San Martin, Spain
$35.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Red fruit, white pepper, spice, cinnamon, plum, raspberry, rose petal, earth, and oak. Good balance with medium body and firm ripe tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. A good match for tomato sauced pasta, Italian sausage, or charcuterie.
91 Points
2018 Zinfandel
Black Sage
Oliver, BC
$32.99
Garnet red with medium-plus intensity. The nose shows aromas of spice, smoke, tar, black pepper, black currant, savoury, dried herbs, and cedar. Good balance with medium-plus body. Full on the palate with flavours following the nose with fruit dominating. A medium-plus finish. Serve with teriyaki chicken thighs or a roast chicken.
91 Points
2019 Cabernet Franc
Rust
Oliver, BC
$23.80
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Aromas of red fruit, dust, spice, white pepper, violets, vanilla, and a touch of light toast on the nose. Well balanced. Big, round, and flavourful on the palate. A mouth-watering, juicy, medium-long finish. Serve this wine with pork tenderloin or teriyaki chicken thighs.
94 Points
2018 The Bear (Premier Series)
Fairview Cellars
Oliver, BC
$49.90
The Bear is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Garnet/black with deep intensity. Blackberry, black cherry, plum, raspberry, red currant, spice, and dried herbs on the nose. Well balanced with silky tannins. Juicy on the palate with mouth-watering jammy fruit followed by a medium-long finish. Well integrated and balanced from beginning to end. It paired beautifully with an herbed pork roast.
95 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)