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 and are enjoying the benefits of doing so.
Prices indicated are the costs when purchased.
2014 Gewürztraminer
Mount Lehman
Abbotsford, BC
$NA ($20.00 currently)
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. Aromatic with floral notes, lime zest, stone fruit, lychee, Anjou pear, wet gravel, and a hint of spice on the nose. Very good balance and is rather dry for this variety. Mouth-watering fruit on the palate – lemon, melon, honey, lime, and minerality. A medium-long finish. Well made and well structured. Perhaps a few years past its prime, but very impressive gewürztraminer.
93 points
2021 Sauvignon Blanc
Dog Point
Marlborough, New Zealand
$33.99
Golden yellow with medium-light intensity. The nose is pronounced with aromas of gunflint, green peas, citrus, green apple, melon, steely, and a hint of toast. Very good balance with a creamy texture. Toast, peach, passionfruit, lime, and apples on the palate followed by a medium-long finish.
92 Points
2009 Les Cornuds
Perrin & Fils
Orange, France
$19.99
Vinsobres is one of the 16 villages which are allowed to add their name to the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation and lies in the southern Rhone Valley. This wine is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah and aged in French oak. Dark garnet red with deep intensity. Blackberry, black pepper, black olive, rhubarb, raspberry, black tea, bramble, and hints of eucalyptus and earth. Good balance. Pleasing on the palate with flavours of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and cranberries. A medium-plus finish. The label suggested that it would keep for five years, but it was still drinkable at 15 years old.
89 Points
2009 Margaux
Chateau Cordet
Magaux, France
$NA
From Bordeaux’s left bank, cabernet sauvignon dominates this blend. Garnet red (no bricking) and medium-deep intensity. Red fruit stands out on the nose notably red cherry, red currant, hints of cranberry and rhubarb, plum, and spice. Good balance. Bright red fruit on the palate along with blueberry, violet, and vanilla. A medium-plus finish. Even though this wine is fifteen years old, it is light, youthful and crisp. Should have left it for another 5 – 10 years.
89 Points
2012 Nota Bene (Bordeaux blend)
Black Hills
Oliver, BC
$52.97
This vintage was made from 57% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Cabernet Franc. Garnet black with a touch of brick on the rim and deep intensity. The nose is rich and layered with blackberries, baking spice, bramble, mulberry, plum, black tea, dusty leaf, chocolate, and almond. Very good balance with smooth tannins. Well integrated on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
92+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
