Category Archives: Winery Review
Makepeace Merlot, Clos du Soleil, Grower’s Series, Similkameen Valley VQA, BC, 2011, 13.8% abv
I’ve been away from wine for a while taking distilled spirits courses and drinking more than I’ve wanted of 40% abv beverages. After all, I signed up for the WSET Diploma to learn more about wines. I just forgot what … Continue reading
Meritage, Clos du Soleil, Celestiale, Similkameen Valley VQA, BC, 2011, 13.4% abv
I’ve been waiting patiently for the delivery of my mixed case of Clos du Soleil wines via friends who made the trip to the Okanagan last week. One of the wines in this case is the Celestiale. The dictionary definition … Continue reading
Tantalus, Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley VQA, Kelowna, BC, 2010, 14.2% abv
Purchased in February 2013 at the winery in Kelowna on a beautifully sunny late winter’s day, this wine was part of a case I was lucky to snag following the venerable Jancis Robinson’s declaration of the 2008 Tantalus Old Vines … Continue reading
Silkscarf, Shiraz Reserve, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, 2007, 14% abv
Located in the Okanagan Valley’s picturesque town of Summerland, we visited this winery in 2012 and have been saving this bottle for a suitably appreciative crowd. One surfaced tonight in the form of parents who made us a beautiful dinner … Continue reading
Riesling, Orofino Winery, Similkameen Valley VQA, BC, 2011, 11.8% abv, C$22
“Don’t you find the winters a little cold and lonely out here in the Similkameen?” we naively asked co-owner Virginia Weber. “Are you absolutely kidding? You’re talking to a Saskatchewan girl,” was the response. Fair enough – I mean, she … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, Miner Family, Santa Lucia Highlands, Silverado Trail, Napa Valley AVA, California, 14.4% abv, US$60
This Pinot Noir has been waiting to be uncorked ever since our trip to Napa Valley. So, tonight in honour of a certain rugby player going off to university, we cracked it to enjoy with pistachio encrusted salmon and a … Continue reading
Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, 2008, 13.5%, C$52
Meeting Jordan Winery’s Lisa Mattson at the Wine Bloggers’ Conference of North America in Penticton was a real highlight of the weekend. And the after party – fabulous. At that event, Lisa graciously opened up a vertical tasting of at … Continue reading
Roderer, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Philo, Anderson Valley, California 11.5%, US$19.00
Here’s a style of wine you won’t find every day. In fact, it’s not even listed on the Roederer website; it was explained to me in March 2013 when we visited the winery that it was a bit of an … Continue reading
Laughing Stock Pinot Gris, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.9%, C$22
This is no laughing matter. After attending the Wine Bloggers’ Conference of North America in June, I decided to visit Laughing Stock Winery. Although I’d heard about them for years, I had never actually tried any of their wines. Lo … Continue reading
Desert Hills, Gewurztraminer, Okanagan Valley, BC VQA, Canada, 2011, 13.35% abv, C$22.90
It’s summer and I’m looking for one of those not-so-ubiquitous, but commonly nicknamed ‘summer sippers’ to have post-work. The only cold stuff in the fridge is this Gewürztraminer from Desert Hills Estate Winery on the Black Sage Bench in the … Continue reading
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