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 aged wines. I am a big advocate for aging BC wines.
It came to my attention that in an earlier review, I included a wine that a certain winery no longer makes. 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.
2017 Marsanne
Church and State
Oliver, BC
$34.49
Marsanne usually appears in a Rhone blend along with Roussanne and Viognier, so it is interesting to see it as a stand-alone. Golden yellow with medium intensity. The nose displays aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, apricot pit, Asian pear, beeswax, lemon grass, and ginger. Good balance with medium-plus body. The flavours echo the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Serve with salads featuring strawberries and walnuts, halibut, seafood, or Pad Thai. Full disclosure, I had never intended to age this wine for so long; it just happened. Fortunately, it was well-made and stood the test of time.
90 Points
2020 Rosé (Syrah)
Rust
Oliver, BC
$21.25
Amber/orange with medium intensity. Cherry, strawberry and cream, mandarin orange peel, honeydew, with undertones of herbs and savoury notes. Good balance with good mouthfeel and a creamy texture. Juicy on the palate with flavours following the nose, with strawberry leading the parade. A medium-long finish with flavours lingering.
88+ Points
2016 Brut Rosé
Blue Mountain
Okanagan Falls, BC
$39.90
Coppery orange with medium-minus intensity. The nose displays aromas of lees, cherry, strawberry, apple, citrus, and bread interwoven with bramble. Well balanced. Strawberries, cherries, melon, and honey on the palate, followed by a medium-long, crisp and refreshing finish.
90 Points
2009 Alliance (Bordeaux Blend)
Blackwood Lane
Langley, BC
$59.00
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc is garnet red with a hint of brick and medium-deep intensity. A rich and layered nose showing aromas of black fruit, black currant, prunes, stewed cherry, black olive, mint, fruitcake, and cashew. Very good balance with silky-smooth tannins. Mouth-watering on the palate with flavours echoing the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. This wine has aged well.
93 Points
2014 Syrah
Black Hills
Oliver, BC
$39.90
Garnet black with deep intensity. The nose is rich, deep, and complex with aromas of plum, dark berries, black cherry, earth, bramble, white pepper, mint, spice, and pencil shavings. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The flavours echo the nose, followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering.
94 Points
(All photos – Sam Hauck)