2018 White Gold (Chardonnay Reserve)
Fort Berens
Lillooet, BC
$29.99
This wine differs from their white label chardonnay in that it leans more toward a California style – bigger and more opulent at a much better price point than its southern peers. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. Lemon cream, butter, and pineapple, with undertones of tree fruit and vanilla on the nose. Well balanced and full-bodied with a creamy texture. Big and round on the palate with flavours of lemon, butter, vanilla, mandarin, apricot, and nectarine followed by a medium-long finish.
2018 Bila-Haut Blanc
M. Chapoutier
Cotes du Roussillon, France
$15.99
This wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Macabeu. “From a mix of estate terroirs (schists, clay, limestone and granite).” The wine is pale lemon-yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose is somewhat subtle with aromas of lemon/lime, cream, and wet stone with undertones of smoke and tropical fruit. Good balance with medium body. Citrus, butter, wax, and hints of tropical fruit and minerality on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. This well-integrated wine over-delivers for the price. It paired very nicely with oven-roasted herbed chicken and roasted vegetables.
2018 Chianti
Fontella
Trento, Italy
$12.49
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Red berries, huckleberries, red currants, spice, and chocolate undertones on the nose. Good balance with bright acidity. Cherries, raspberries, and a pepper note on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. A perfectly quaffable Monday night pizza wine.
2018 Negroamaro
Luccarelli
Puglia, Italy
$13.99
From the south of Italy, this wine is garnet red with medium-deep intensity. The nose is smoky and earthy with sweet ripe dark cherries and plums, spice, and a hint of violets. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Stewed strawberries, cherries, blackberries, and pepper on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. Very impressive value-priced wine.
2018 Shiraz
Thomas Goss
McLaren Vale, Australia
$18.99
Made by Alexia Roberts, this wine is garnet red with a purple rim and deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of blackberry, black currant, blueberry, white pepper, and eucalyptus. Good balance with firm ripe tannins. The aromas are mirrored on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. I suggest hanging on to this one for another three to five years and it will be even better.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
