In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am including a new one that will appear from time to time. I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’.
It will be much like the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines that have been aged.
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 I have to blow the dust off. There are no hard and fast rules. I recently bought a couple of reds at my local liquor store that were 2010 vintages (a great deal in my eyes). 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.
Prices indicated are the costs when purchased.
2012 Riesling Classic
8th Generation
Summerland, BC
$17.76
Well-made Rieslings are known for aging well for years, even decades and if there is one thing Bernd and Stefanie Schales know well is how to grow and make impressive Rieslings. At ten years old, this wine is lemon yellow in colour with medium-minus intensity. A classic nose with aromas of lime zest, minerality, petrol, red apple peel, apricot pit, and white flowers. Well balanced with bright, crisp acidity. Mouth-watering flavours carry over from the nose followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. Impressive and good for another three to five years (and possibly more).
2010 Syrah
Black Hills
Oliver, BC
$34.90
Garnet red with just the slightest hint of brick and deep intensity. Upon decanting, wow – blackberry, black cherry, black olive, blueberry, a hint of clove, red licorice, plum, chocolate, savoury, and sawdust. Very well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering.
2005 Bordeaux Cotes de France
Chateau Puygueraud
Cotes de Fancs, France
$35.00
Garnet/black in colour with deep intensity. The nose is deep, dark and inky with aromas of ripe black fruit, earth, tar, leather, soy, gravel, dust, and pencil shavings. Well-balanced, full body with silky smooth tannins. Dark ripe fruit, plum, blackberry, and dark cherries on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. Very good.
2014 Cabernet Franc
Vinoscenti Vineyards
Surrey, BC
$26.00
Garnet red with a slight hint of brick and medium-plus intensity. Aromas of dust, plum, berries, cherries, leaf, violets, savoury, and pencil shavings with sandalwood undertones. Good balance with medium-body. Pleasant flavours on the palate, though less intense than the nose. A medium-plus finish.
2007 GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$24.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is dark and inky with aromas of dark berries, cherries, earth, bramble, plum, meaty, savoury, cocoa powder, tar, leather, and a hint of soy. Well balanced with silky smooth tannins. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Elegant and harmonious. A delight to drink.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)
