Wednesday Wine Reviews with @Sam_WineTeacher
2022 Viognier (The Y Series)
Yalumba
South Australia, Australia
$17.99
Yalumba is a family run winery that has been in operation since 1849. This vegan wine was made with minimal intervention and wild yeast fermentation. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is fresh and fruity with aromas of lime, apricot, peach, orange blossoms and zest, and green apple. Good balance with medium-plus body. The aromas carry on over to the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Great value.
90 Points
2022 Chardonnay
Solvero
Summerland, BC
$27.00
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose opens with aromas of lemon cream, apple, honey, a hint of banana, and a touch of lime zest and mango. Very good balance with a creamy texture. Mouth-watering flavours of lemon cream, apple, apricot, nectarine, honey, and vanilla on the palate followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Delightful served with scallops and prawns in a curried creamy sauce.
92 Points
2021 Rosé
Privato
Kamloops, BC
$22.99
This rosé, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, has an attractive burnt orange colour with medium intensity. Red apple, melon, delicate strawberry, plum, cherry, pear, and honey on the nose. Good balance with full body. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a lovely luncheon wine, great on the patio, and perfect to take along on a picnic. We enjoyed it with a cold chicken salad.
91 Points
2020 Valpolicella Superior (Ripasso)
Zenato
Verona, Italy
$22.00
Garnet red with deep intensity. This wine shows a big nose with lots of ripe fruit including blackberry, black cherry, plum, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, and almond. Very good balance with velvety smooth tannins. Full on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. Serve with flavourful food including grilled or roasted meats, tomato and meat-based pastas, mushroom risotto, cured meats such as salami, and aged cheeses.
94 Points
2020 Merlot
Rust
Oliver, BC
$25.45
Garnet red with deep intensity. Big fruit on the nose with juicy berries, and black fruit, dried herbs, fruitcake, spice, and earth aromas. Very good balance with full body and velvety tannins. Full on the palate with flavours of dark cherries, floral notes, cinnamon, raspberries, and plum followed by a juicy medium-plus finish. The alcohol is high here (14.4%) but it well integrated and there is enough fruit so that it is not an issue. This is a big, fruity, delicious age-worthy wine.
94+ Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
