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.
2016 Chardonnay
Coolshanagh
Naramata, BC
$30.99
Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. The nose opens with aromas of lemon cream, Honeycrisp apple, pineapple, tropical fruit, and a hint of almond. Good balance with a creamy texture. The palate follows the nose along with honey, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and mango. A medium-long finish.
92 Points
2011 Cabernet Franc
River Stone
Oliver, BC
$25.90
Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Dusty dark berries, leafy, cherry, plum, and earthy aromas on the nose. Very good balance with medium body. Pleasing flavours on the palate, though a bit of a letdown after such a promising nose. A medium-plus finish. 2011 was a bit of a wonky year for most BC reds. I need to revisit with a recent vintage.
89 Points
2013 Pinot Noir
Serendipity
Naramata, BC
$25.00
Garnet red / brick with medium-plus intensity. An inviting nose showing aromas of forest floor, dried cherry, black pepper, black tea, cinnamon, and vanilla. Well balanced with a velvety texture. The palate is layered and complex followed by a medium-long finish. Beautifully aged. Pair with all the classics.
95 Points
2011 Syrah (Reserve)
Pacific Breeze
New Westminster, BC
$25.49
Garnet red with deep intensity. Ripe blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, black pepper, plum, spice, leather, meat, and cedar on the nose. Well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. Flavours mirror the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Excellent.
94 Points
2014 Merlot
Gold Hill
Oliver, BC
$34.99
Garnet red with deep intensity. The nose is rich, layered and complex with aromas of plum, blackberry, spice, mulberry, cherries, cocoa, and hints of leather and toast. Well balanced with fine integrated tannins. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-long finish. Impressive and near its peak.
96 Points
(All photos, except as noted – Sam Hauck)
