2011 Syrah Pacific Breeze New Westminster, BC $23.99 This is a small lot wine with only 830 bottles made. The wine is garnet red with deep intensity. A layered nose showing aromas of blackberry, black currant, raspberry, tar, black pepper, earth, cedar, chocolate and sweet spice. Very well balanced with smooth ripe tannins. This … Read more
#WineWedneday Wine Reviews by Sam Hauck aka The Wine Teacher 2012 Pinotage Stoneboat Oliver, BC $24.90 Undoubtedly the best Pinotage I have tasted. Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. A complex nose showing aromas of black fruit, earth, chocolate and spice. Very well balanced with good mouthfeel. The flavours echo the nose with a … Read more
A while ago I was invited to a Zinfandel tasting at the home of a fellow wine writer. She had solicited wines from eight BC wineries (betcha didn’t know that there were so many BC zins) to compare to a California one. California zinfandels typically show the following characteristics – jammy ripe fruit, dark berries, … Read more
2010 Chardonnay Blackwood Lane Langley, BC $24.00 Straw coloured with medium intensity. Green apple, mineral and honey on the nose. Well balanced. Citrus, mineral and subdued green apple on the palate with a medium-long finish. This Chablis styled wine paired very well with pan seared scallops and prawns. 2010 Shiraz (Hales) Rolf Binder Barossa … Read more
2011 Blind Tiger (Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon) Vindication Cellars Okanagan Falls, BC $29.00 Silver Medal Garnet red in colour with deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of plum, blackberry, cassis, dust, earth and chocolate. Well balanced with good mouthfeel and soft ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose followed by a medium-long … Read more
2013 Syrah (Marcus Ansems) Daydreamer Penticton, BC $34.90 Gold Medal Marcus Ansem is Daydreamer’s high-end label. Marcus Ansem, the winemaker, has taken a leap of faith to put his own name on these wines, but to date it has been a prudent move. These are impressive wines. Garnet black in colour with deep intensity. The … Read more
Fall has arrived. With the arrival of the new season, and the leaves turning colour, it’s time for bringing out the sweaters and a time for new dishes in the kitchen. Chef Castro Boateng has presented a mouth-watering recipe for Braised Short Ribs Confit with garlic pommes puree and wild mushroom jus. We tend to … Read more
Provence Restaurants’ chef Alessander Quaglia has submitted a savory summer treat for this weeks Taste of Thursday – Fresh Tomato Tarte. This would make a lovely dinner side dish when sitting on a sunny patio, or as a luncheon served with a fresh salad. The wines that pop immediately into my head tend to … Read more
At the 2015 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, BC wineries took home an impressive amount of hardware. Mission Hill was, once again, recognized as Winery of the Year. It will come as no surprise to fans, that the top ten BC wineries this year, included: Mission Hill, Arrowleaf, Road 13, Church & State, C.C. … Read more
2009 Pinot Noir Stoneboat Oliver, BC Garnet red / brick in colour with medium-deep intensity. Very Burgundian on the nose with aromas of earth, forest floor, dark cherries and meat. Well balanced with the flavours echoing the nose. A medium-long finish with lingering fruit. A nicely aged BC Pinot Noir. 2007 Aces Pocket … Read more