2021 Chardonnay
Garnet Valley Ranch
Summerland, BC
$36.99
Golden yellow with medium-minus intensity. An impressive nose rich with aromas of minerality, lemon, grapefruit, apple, along with delicate undertones of smoky caramel, and toast. Well balanced. Vibrant, integrated, and layered flavours on the palate followed by a long finish. This is an elegant and sophisticated wine that was a ‘wow’ with a turkey dinner.
96 Points
NV Crémant du Jura
Domaine Rolet
Arbois, France
$36.99
This sparkling wine is light golden yellow with medium-minus intensity. Toast, Meyer lemon, apple, pear, burnt match, pie crust, and almond on the nose. Good balance and mousse. Tasty on the palate with flavours reflecting the nose. A medium-long finish with some flavours lingering.
91 Points
2022 Rosé
Niche
West Kelowna, BC
$25.00
Queen Anne cherry red with medium-minus intensity. An inviting nose showing aromas of strawberry, cream, juicy cherry, loganberry, rhubarb, honeydew, and humus (yes, you read that right). Good balance. The flavours reflect the nose along with honey, cranberries, and cinnamon followed by a juicy, mouth-watering finish. We enjoyed this lovely wine with air fryer pot stickers, wings, and samosas.
90 Points
2022 Gamay
Rust
Oliver, BC
$22.50
Garnet/ruby red with medium intensity. Big fruit on the nose with aromas of sour cherry, pomegranate, red currant, dried herbs, spice, violets, minerality, and pencil shavings. Well balanced. Power packed with flavour on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. Improved noticeably with time to breathe. What a delicious wine!
95 Points
2018 Merlot
Rainmaker
Oliver, BC|
$24.00
I considered including this in a “From the Cellar” article given its age, but I only bought in recently at a local LRS (private liquor store) so I thought it appropriate to include it here. Dark red with deep intensity. The nose is dark and deep with aromas of blackberry, beetroot, black currant, juicy cherry, plum, red currant, spice, and vanilla. Good balance. Dark cherry, fruitcake, cinnamon, raspberry, and plum on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. My only slight problem with this wine is the high alcohol (14.8%) that was noticeable throughout.
91 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
