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.
Pentage
2018 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
Penticton, BC
$20.00
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. A fruity nose showing aromas of lemon, honey, melon, green apple, green peas, and tropical notes. Very good balance. Full on the palate with flavours echoing the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. This is a versatile white and lovely to serve with white fish or a chicken salad.
92 Points
2018 Chardonnay (Marcus Ansem)
Daydreamer
Naramata, BC
$34.99
Lemon yellow with medium intensity. Lemon, honey, butter, fresh cream, almond, vanilla, and a hint of coconut on the nose. Well balanced with good mouthfeel. Honey and lemon crème dominate the palate. A medium-long finish with flavour lingering. Wow! A yummy example of a BC chardonnay.
96 Points
2015 Syrah
Laughing Stock
Penticton, BC
$41.90
This wine is even better than when I tasted it two years ago. Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is well-integrated, with aromas of blackberry, black pepper, dark cherry, spice, plum, and a hint of cocoa powder. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. Mouth-watering on the palate, followed by a medium-long finish. Beautifully aged.
95 Points
2019 Pinot Noir (McLean Creek)
Meyer Family Vineyards
Okanagan Falls, BC
$35.74
Garnet red with a hint of brick and medium-plus intensity. The nose is complex and interwoven with aromas of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum, forest floor, a touch of black pepper, black tea, leather, and cedar. Well balanced. The palate is juicy and mouth-watering with flavours following the nose. A medium-long to long finish with flavours lingering. Wow! This is a wine to sip and savour on its own with a palate cleanser of cheese and crackers.
96 Points
2019 Gewürztraminer (Fortified)
Mayhem
Okanagan Falls, BC
$31.40
I seldom write about dessert or fortified wines; however, when I open one, I wonder why. There are so many delicious examples out there, and they are a delight to drink. Golden yellow with medium-plus intensity. The nose is a symphony of honey, spice, and everything nice, including floral notes, lychee, and ripe, juicy honeydew melon. Full-bodied with good balance. The palate is big, round, and rich, with flavours echoing the nose, followed by a medium-long finish. Who needs dessert?
94 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)