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 wines that have been aged. I am a big advocate for aging BC wines.
It came to my attention that in an earlier review, I included a wine that is no longer made by a certain winery. 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.
2020 Chardonnay
Painted Rock
Penticton, BC
$42.99
Well-made BC wines can age very well, and this one is a prime example of that. Lemon yellow with medium-plus intensity. The nose is rich with aromas of apple, lemon cream, grapefruit zest, and tropical fruit, all nicely accented with a touch of oak. Well balanced with a creamy texture. Big on the palate, with a touch of oak leading the way, with flavours mirroring the nose, followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Delicious! A good match for fish, lobster, or aged white cheeses.
94 Points
2019 Malbec (Narrative)
Haywire
Summerland, BC
$26.99
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. An intriguing and inviting nose of black cherry, black pepper, wet stones, plum, and earth. Very good balance. Delicious and yummy on the palate with fruit flavours dominating. A medium-plus finish with some drying tannins. Don’t expect an Argentinian-style Malbec. I wasn’t overly impressed with this wine upon opening, but with lots of time to breathe, it was very enjoyable. Give this one a good decant.
90 Points
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Black Sage
Summerland, BC
$24.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose displays aromas of cocoa powder, red and black berries, sweet spice, black olive, leaf, plum, hints of cedar and toasty coconut. Very good balance with silky smooth tannins. The flavours mirror the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Serve with roast beef, rib eye steak, or a thick-cut pork chop.
92 Points
2016 Cabernet Franc
Vanessa Vineyards
Cawston, BC
$49.99
Garnet red with a tinge of brick and deep intensity. Black currant, blackberry, ripe plum, dusty herbs, plum, pepper, a dusting of spice, earth, and savoury notes. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. Silky on the palate with flavours echoing the nose. A medium-long finish. Well-aged and near its peak, with the potential of another 3–5 years to cellar. An elegant and harmonious wine. Try this with a thick-cut prime rib and au jus.
96+ Points
2016 Jasper
Daydreamer
Naramata, BC
$40.00
This vintage is a blend of 62% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is garnet red with a tinge of brick and medium-deep intensity. The nose is layered and complex, with aromas of dried fruit dominating, along with blackberry, plum, black cherry, black currant, and spice, followed by hints of vanilla and toast. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. A flavour-packed palate. A medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Beautifully aged and a delight to drink. Foods? Here, the wine is the star, so serve with a simple accompaniment such as a charcuterie plate.
97 Points
(Bottleshots – Sam Hauck)
