2025 Pinot Gris
SpearHead
Kelowna, BC$24.00
Pale lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. A pronounced nose showing aromas of apple, lime zest, honeysuckle, ambrosia apple, pear, and wild honey. Very good balance with good body. Very flavourful on the palate, followed by a medium-long finish. Impressive.
93 Points
2021 Chardonnay (Triomphe)
Southbrook
Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario
$26.95
I debated whether I should include an Ontario wine here or not. I get the opportunity to taste wines from Ontario and have been pleasantly surprised by them. And while they are currently not available at BC liquor stores, my fingers are crossed that the free trade of wines within Canada is soon a reality. With an ABV of 12.8%, think of this wine as being similar to a French Chablis. Golden yellow with medium-minus intensity. A tightly integrated, interesting nose showing aromas of peach, lanolin, fig, lime, gravel, pine resin, and lees. Good balance with medium-plus body. The flavours reflect the nose and linger on the medium-plus finish. A good match for shellfish or roasted chicken.
90 Points
2024 Sauvignon Blanc (Good Neighbours)
River Stone
Oliver, BC
$24.90
I was pleasantly surprised to see that despite the grapes for the 2024 vintage came from Washington State, this wine is true to their signature style and indistinguishable from what you’ve come to expect from River Stone. Lemon yellow with a tinge of green and medium-minus intensity. The nose displays aromas of intricate fruit, cut grass, grapefruit, green apple, lemon, melon, minerality and dash of honey. Good balance. Full on the palate with flavours echoing the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. A well-made, tasty Sauvignon Blanc.
92+ Points
2022 Rosé
Mount Boucherie
West Kelowna, BC
$20.00
Queen Anne cherry red with medium-minus intensity. Cherry, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb, and orange zest on the nose. Good balance and body. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. A yummy, versatile, fun wine at a great price.
89 Points
2022 Merlot (Reserve)
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$39.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Raspberry, cherry, plum, violets, beetroot, earth, underbrush, and pencil shavings on the nose. Good balance with bright acidity and firm ripe tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish. This wine needs time (3-8 years) to hit its peak.
91 Points
(all photos – Sam Hauck)