2024 Albarino
Raimat Saira
Costers del Segre, Spain
$21.99
This organic wine is lemon yellow with medium intensity. The nose displays aromas of lemon zest, pear, melon, white flowers, chamomile, and slate. Good balance. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. Lovely at 12.5% ABV and a great food wine to serve with fish, seafood, or Asian cuisine.
89 Points
2021 Le Mortelle Vivia
Antinori
Tuscany, Italy
$30.99
Vivid is a blend of Vermentino and Viognier and a touch of Ansonica. Lemon yellow with medium intensity. Lemon rind, Asian pear, melon, grapefruit pith, bramble, white flowers, and lemon verbena. Good balance with medium body. The palate is crisp with lemon drop, lanolin, honey, peach, and pineapple. A medium-plus finish with flavours lingering. Serve with white fish with a light cream sauce or mild curries.
89 Points
2022 Chardonnay
Chain Reaction
Penticton, BC
$32.40
Lemon yellow with medium intensity. Butterscotch, lemon, lime, pineapple, mango, white flowers, oak, and almond on the nose. Good balance. Well integrated oak and fruit, citrus, honey and ripe apple on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
90 Points
2022 Malbec Rosé
River Stone
Oliver, BC
$24.90
Cherry red with medium intensity. Black cherry, strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, pomegranate, and a touch of leather and vanilla on the nose. Very good balance with a creamy texture. Juicy red fruit on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish.
91 Points
2021 Whisky Barrel Aged Red
Black Sage
Summerland, BC
$26.99
A limited-edition blend of Shiraz, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet. Aged in Canadian Whisky barrels for 4 months. Garnet/black with medium-deep intensity. Blackberry, black tea, earth, gravel, sweet fruit, violet, cherry, cola, and some delicate spice. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. An easy drinking blend that tastes older than its vintage. Surprised to see it was 15% ABV, but did not taste hot. It paired nicely with a charcuterie plate and would be a good match for pizza or burgers.
92 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)