Only 40 of my newest BC wine reviews.
But never fear, there's more where this came from...
BC Juice
some recent reviews...
So many great wines so little time.
With Chile, Italy and Australia under my autumnal belt
it was time to take that fall trip to the Okanagan Valley.
This trip I made sure to drive the Crowsnest (#3)
visiting Orofino and the Similkameen's new
baby--Seven Stones. Then, taking in the
changes at Nk'Mip and Spirit Ridge-stopping
for a nosh at Passa Tempo I headed north along
#97.
Sadly aware my time was too short, I quickly sipped
my way along, stopping at some new and some
established treasures on the way to Kelowna. Of
course a gal's gotta eat--so I made time to lift a fork
(and take in the views) at a few of the regions best
kitchens Burrowing Owl, Quails' Gate and
Mission Hill before turning the car around and
heading home.
But I did fly back up to Kelowna later in the week to
guest my friend Terry David Mulligan's new wine-y
radio show The Tasting Room taped during
the 23rd Annual People's Choice Awards. I'll be
joining Terry again this Saturday 13th for an all ladies
segment. Terry's show airs Saturdays 10am-12noon
on 1150am (tastingroomradio.com) in
Kelowna.
The following are some of my most recent
tasting notes...
Bartlett pear and peach aromas with white floral and
pomelo citrus notes. A fresh, enjoyable Pinot Blanc,
soft but crisp on the tongue with grapefruit and lime
and a suggestion of smoked spice on the finish.
There are two important elements at work here
people...first, I predict Pinot Blanc will be the next
big "white" in BC because we do it so well. And
second, its appealing 11.5% alcohol gets my two red
thumbs-up approval. If you drink as much wine as I
do, less than 12% is a vinous blessing!
NEW!
This is the first release of the SYLR Semillon as a
single varietal and I applaud their decision. It's
harvested from seven-year old vines and has a rich
golden-yellow hue with tropical fruit, vanilla and
coconut aromas. It's buttery rich on the palate showing
more coconut and vanilla ice-cream flavours and a
long finish with lingering oak
spice.
$22.99 +983007 winer
y only
Quails' Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
Concentrated...blueberry preserves, raspberry, sweet
tobacco, warm spice and chocolate aromas simmer
in the glass. Rich and velvety on the palate with lush
dark fruit, liquid cocoa, black cherry and fresh turned
earth. Acidity lifts it, preventing it from being
jammy.
This wine doesn't tease, its affections are
obvious.
We were able to taste the 1997 Family Reserve Pinot
Noir during dinner at the stunning Quails' Gate Old
Vines Patio in late September and the proof is in the
providence...these folks make unforgettable Pinot
Noirs! $39.99 +639685 Private wine
stores & winery
George and Vivianne Hanson opened their Seven
Stones tasting room in Cawston in May of this year.
Their wines have quickly established a cult-following
similar to their neighbors, Orofino. Most of their vines
are about seven years old and the grapes have
previously made the cut into Golden Mile's wines.
The '06 Pinot Noir is swimming in fresh, youthful
vigour with vibrant cherry, orange peel, warm spice
and tea leaf. It's medium-bodied with delicate spice
and chewy tannins on the
finish. $27.99 winery & select private
wine
stores
Minerals, smoked pears, apples, subtle peach
blossom and honey tangerine aromas. Mouth-
watering with a pristine minerality and grapefruit-y
flavours. Soft and silky on the palate with a smoky
roundness.
Elegant. $18.90 +321026 select
private wine stores
Deep black cherry aromas, mocha liqueur, violets and
white pepper. On the palate--spiced red plums, dried
fruit hints and smoked meat flavours. Smooth tannins
with coffee ground essence and a lingering juiciness
on the finish. $24.99 +761569 private
wine stores
This Riesling has a ripeness that comes from its late
(November 5th 2006) harvest but it's by no means
a sweet late-harvest wine.
Aromas of peaches and apricot jam, minerals and
candied lemon peel. Smooth and surprisingly lush on
the palate with orchard fruit flavours lightly spiked with
sweet spices. Off-dry yes, but showing fresh
acidity.
Very quaffable. $20.90 +629857
currently winery only
A robust wine, full bodied and earthy with blackberry,
plum and sausage aromas as well as notes of cocoa,
leather pepper and savoury herbs. Intense and
opaque it has bright berries and dark fruit swirled with
bitter chocolate, more spice and pepper and meaty
char-grill flavours, good acidity and still youthful, chewy
tannins.
A wine for protein based dishes, decant before
serving or cellar for 2-5 more
years. $30.00 +984773 private wine
stores & winery
Dark fruit, plums, smoke, vanilla and tobacco aromas.
Spiced berry flavours with leather, cocoa and toasted
oak nuances. Approachable tannins, fresh acidity and
a long finish on this rich blend of; 39% Merlot, 32%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Cabernet
Franc. $19.99 +576751
Sheeps milk tomme
from Corsica Italy. It has a
rough, gray mottled rind and ivory interior.The aromas
are of wild herbs, earth and an interesting sweet milky
nuance. The texture smooth and creamy with amazing
sweet, nutty flavour with hints of thyme and rosemary.
Try this next time in place of your regular Tomme de
Savoie or Tomme Piedmontese...
