2015 Chardonnay (Reserve) Chaberton Langley, BC $19.95 The winery may be in Langley, but the grapes for this wine come from Oliver. The wine is golden yellow in colour with medium intensity. The nose shows aromas of lemon, butter, vanilla and toast with hints of pineapple. Good balance. The flavours follow the nose. A … Read more
2015 Chardonnay (Qwam Qwmt) Nk’Mip Osoyoos, BC $25.00 Golden straw in colour with medium intensity. Well-integrated oak and fruit on the nose with notes of delicate butter and tropical fruit, especially pineapple. Well balanced with a creamy texture. The flavours follow the nose along with fresh cream. A medium-plus finish. 2012 Syrah … Read more
2016 Verdicchio Classico Superiore Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Osimo, Italy $17.99 This impressive Italian white is golden straw in colour with medium intensity. Jasmine blossoms, ginger and melon on the nose. Well balanced. The flavour packs a bigger punch than the nose with the addition of orange peel, pear and almond flavours followed … Read more
2010 Syrah Desert Hills Oliver, BC $36.90 Garnet red with medium intensity. Red berries and dried herbs on the nose. Good balance. Pleasing fruit on the palate followed by dusty sage on a medium finish. 2016 Garnacha Tintorera / Monastrell Laya Almansa, Spain $14.49 Garnet / black in colour with deep intensity. Ripe, … Read more
Fort Berens Estate Winery meets Coquilles St Jacques Here in British Columbia we are blessed with, depending on the year, an abundance of two things: Chardonnay and scallops. Cue my colleagues at Fort Berens; producing an absolutely world-class Chardonnay at under $20. But let me give the wine some context… I recently had … Read more
I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing Jak Meyer, and subsequently his world-class wines at Meyer Family Vineyards, for years. It would be difficult for me to speak about how much Jak’s work and the work of Chris Carson winemaker – the entire team – has meant to me and other BC wine-lovers without … Read more
2012 Carmenere Primus Vallee de Colchagua, Chile $22.49 Garnet red/purple with deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of green pepper, earth, cinnamon, chocolate and dark fruit. Good balance with just a very slight sweet entry. The flavours echo the nose followed by a medium finish. 2015 Chardonnay Black Hills Oliver, BC $34.49 Lemon … Read more
2014 Chardonnay (Coyote Bowl) Church and State Oliver, BC $26.90 Golden yellow with medium-light intensity. Apple, citrus, honey and butter on the nose. Well balanced with good mouthfeel. The flavours mirror the nose with added toasty notes followed by a medium-plus finish. I paired this with grilled chicken skewers and Greek salad. … Read more
2016 Gamay Noir Rosé (Secrest Mountain) Haywire Summerland, BC $22.90 Structured like a top quality Provencal Rosé with more pronounced aromas and flavours. Organically grown Gamay from the Secrest Vineyard in Oliver and fermented with native yeasts, this wine is cherry red with medium-intensity. The nose is bold with aromas of cherry, strawberry herbs … Read more
2013 Moscato d’ Osoyoos La Stella Osoyoos, BC $20 Silver Medal A blend of Moscatto Bianco and Muscat Ottonel. Very pale straw in colour with a medium-light intensity. The nose is intense with orange blossoms, peach and apricot. Well balanced with just the right amount of acid to balance the sugar. The palate is rich … Read more