Tag Archives: red wine

Pinot Noir, Optimum, Gehringer Brothers, Okanagan Valley, BC, 12.5% abv, 2011

2011 wasn’t exactly a banner vintage in the Okanagan Valley and to be honest, this wine is indicative of that. Clear with a medium minus ruby core moving to a thin pink rim this Pinot Noir has light legs. On … Continue reading

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Merlot, Hester Creek, Reserve Block 2, Okanagan Valley, BC, 14.4% abv, 2009

During a trip to Oliver, BC, deep in the southern Okanagan Valley, we visited Hester Creek Winery where we purchased this Merlot. It has a clear, deep ruby-purple core moving to a thick light ruby rim with noticeably viscous legs.  On … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, Family Reserve, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2006, 13.5% abv, C$30 at winery

Friday night and the time is right for….Pinot! We visited the Mt. Boucherie winery near Kelowna in BC’s Okanagan Valley and enjoyed the tasting room and knowledgeable family members talking about their extensive range of wines.  Mt. Boucherie produces three levels … Continue reading

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Columbia Crest Grand Estates, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2008, 13.5% abv, C$20

After California, the US state that produces the most wine is Washington. The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington State, but a portion of it overlaps into Oregon. At its northern most end, it extends almost into BC’s Okanagan … Continue reading

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Lachini Vineyards, Cuvée Giselle, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2006, 14.2% abv, C$95/US$65

Last Thursday evening I went to ‘Oregon Takes Vancouver’ at the Stanley Park Pavilion and enjoyed tasting over 20 different wines from the Willamette Valley to prepare for a trip we’re planning. I spoke with the winemaker at the Stanley … Continue reading

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Wente Vineyards, Sandstone, Merlot, Livermore Valley, California, 2009, 13.5% abv.

In keeping with the recent Merlot roll I’ve seemingly been on, I opened up another bottle tonight to enjoy on this Labour Day weekend. About a month ago I went to a US wines tasting and this was one of … Continue reading

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Merlot, La Stella Maestoso, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, 2008, 14.7% abv.

In honour of a couple of great friends we had over tonight, I opened the La Stella 2008 Maestoso we purchased in Osoyoos). This was after we enjoyed a bottle of Vindication Cellars’ rosé and realized we’d been in Osoyoos and Oliver … Continue reading

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Merlot, Heaven’s Gate, Summerland, Okanagan Valley 2009 14.5% abv, C$25

So now for a little bit of that wine a movie almost single handedly killed the market for. We picked this Merlot up in Summerland on the Bottleneck Drive wine tour.  Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery used to be a peach orchard … Continue reading

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Barbera, Sandhill, Small Lots Program 10 Barrels, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 15% abv, $30

Boasting they have the only Barbera grown in Canada, Sandhill has produced a few vintages of this Italian varietal for BC red wine drinkers. I wanted to have something not too tannic and a little fruity for the meatballs, so … Continue reading

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Church & State, Syrah, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009

There was something inspirational about tasting this wine at the outdoor bar at Church & State’s Oliver operation – but when we opened it at Whistler, it was spectacular. Deep ruby and savoury, there was significant spice and red fruit in addition to layers … Continue reading

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