Category Archives: Winery Review
Samantha, Syrah, Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, Oliver, BC, 2013, 13.6% abv.
This wine was produced by the 2013 Vancouver International Wine Festival’s Sommelier of the Year winner, Samanatha Rahn as part of the Okanagan Crush Pad Winery’s wine campus program. Held in conjunction with the BC Hospitality Foundation, sale proceeds fund a … Continue reading
Syrah, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2011, 13.5% abv, US$19
This Washington state Syrah punches far above its weight in terms of quality for money. It’s a bright, deep garnet with a ruby rim and thick legs. On the nose it has pronounced intensity with aromas of deeply ripe blackberry, Damson … Continue reading
Ava, Le Vieux Pin, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2012, 14% abv.
Here’s a BC bottle made in the image of a white Rhône Valley wine. The Ava is fashioned from 61% Viognier, 21% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne grapes that have seen about half of it age in new French barrels for 9 … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Fort Berens, Lillooet, BC VQA, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$26
How is this possible? A Canadian winery poised at 50.5 degrees north latitude – just outside the usually accepted outermost limits of vinifera grape growing. Yet, there Fort Berens lies, thumbing its nose at the non-believers, and producing quality Pinot … Continue reading
Foxtrot, Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv, C$50
Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation. Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003. … Continue reading
Church & State, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.8% abv, C$27
This wine was awarded silver in the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and it won a gold star at a pre-Christmas dinner this past weekend with the in-laws. So complimentary with roast turkey, the wine is a medium shade of gold … Continue reading
Tantalus, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley VQA, Kelowna, BC, 2010, 13.4% abv
Christmas is fast approaching and I always love to have a Pinot alongside the turkey and cranberry sauce. Gamay wines, Pinot Noirs and even Cab Francs go swell with holiday bird. They’re light enough and the tannins are subtle to … Continue reading
Church & State, Chardonnay, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, 2010, 14.3% abv, C$25
Church & State is one of my stalwart Okanagan favourites – due in large part to the fine winemaking abilities of Jeff del Nin. The other part is heavily influenced (I cannot lie) by the dramatically stunning backdrop provided at their … Continue reading
Church & State, Merlot, Coyote Bowl Series, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, 2010, 14.5% abv, C$25
Church & State is a long time favourite. We visited the Coyote Bowl premises in 2012 and purchased this bottle (plus several others) at that time. I always know that I’m going to get something enjoyable and worthwhile when I purchase … Continue reading
Caymus, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California, 2011, 15.2% abv, C$46.00
Owned for 40 years in Rutherford, California by the Wagner family, the Caymus wines are some of the most dependable and tasty produced in Napa Valley. Over the course of time, they’ve diversified with several product lines and quality levels. … Continue reading
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