IMPRESSIVE ... Moraine Winery 2021 O'Port (British Columbia)

 

Any Port fans out there? As we know, true Port is made in Portugal. But what if someone in Canada (British Columbia) was making a Port-style wine that rivaled the original? It might be called Moraine Winery 2021 O'Port

SULTRY Noble Ridge 2017 The Crown (British Columbia)

 

When you think of sweet or dessert wine and Canada the mind immediately goes to Icewine, maybe a late harvest, but I doubt many of us said "port-style wines". But they are being made and some with tender loving care, like this one. Today it's the Noble Ridge 2017 The Crown

ENTICING Nk'Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir (British Columbia)

 

Pinot Noir? From the southern Okanagan? Yes, it is a thing, and yes, it is really good. I don't often agree that BC Pinot is "their thing", but then wines like this come along and it makes me re-think my whole theory. Today, it's the Nk'Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir -  Another bottle I tasted during the All Canadian Wine Championships

STARTLING : Bordertown Winery 2023 Viognier (British Columbia)

 

Maybe you have noticed, I'm on a Canadian Viognier kick here. So far I have pointed you in the direction of three other Canadian Viogniers, with more on the way; like this one today ... Let me tell you about the Bordertown Winery 2023 Viognier ... available at the winery (and fine wine stores). Thank you to the All Canadian Wine Championships for putting me on this panel during the judging. Judging is happening soon, so get your Canadian wines in for the MAY 16, 2025 deadline - maybe I'll find more great wines like this.

A BIG DEAL - Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt (Canada)

 

Zweigelt? Really? For those of you who have tried Zweigelt, you know there is so much potential in this grape, and yet ... If you have tried a good one, you are already salivating at the thought of what I am about to say. For the rest of you, let me tell you about a wine, made from a grape that gets very little respect, for good reason - but deserves so much more, from both the winemakers that use it and the consumers to try it. 

Today, it's the Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt

WOWSER - Hester Creek 2023 Viognier (British Columbia)

 

Not too long ago, I mentioned a Viognier from Ontario, and once again Viognier raises its beautiful face, but this time from the other coast. Are we looking at a new darling-grape in Canadian whites ... or are some wineries just getting lucky? Today, it's the Hester Creek 2023 Viognier

EYE-POPPING Martin's Lane 2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Canada)

After tasting through the 2020 Martin's Lane Pinots, 

this was my favourite - by a long shot : 

Martin's Lane 2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir

 

 The Written Review

This is the last vineyard to be picked completely, it north facing, is slower to ripen allowing the fruit to mature at at even pace. Then it is 70% whole bunch pressed and fermented in concrete ... Kicks at the nose like a sniff of Chanel no. 5 ... This is a pretty Pinot, with lots of floral notes with a nice cherry strawberry spiced-rhubarb. Tannins are silky by comparison to the other Pinots in this line-up.  (**** ½)

ROUSING Martin's Lane 2020 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir

Is Pinot Noir a good grape for the Okanagan Valley? 

Time will tell. But Martin's Lane winery is betting is it : 

Martin's Lane 2020 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir

NEW YEAR's BOTTLE Blue Moutain 2019 Brut (Canadian Wine)

You wanna bring in the New Year in style and drink Canadian in the process? 

Have I got the bottle for you  

Blue Mountain 2019 Brut

CELLAR WORTHY Mission Hill 2018 Quatrain (Canadian Wine)

They've changed the 'formula' of Quatrain and it is for the better

Mission Hill 2018 Quatrain

 

 

Written Review ... Syrah 47% / Cabernet Sauvignon 26% / Merlot 18% / Cabernet Franc 8%    
Quatrain was looking for an identity and it has found it - 2016 they made the change to Syrah dominant.
Smooth and silky with a peppery backbone, blue and black fruit notes includes: blueberry, blackberry, smoked-plum, all with a delightful length to the finish with spicy-tannic notes.

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Syrah (The Wine Review - #320)

British Columbia Syrah? Yes Please! And here's another great example : 

 

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Syrah

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

Moraine Winery 2019 Pinot Noir (The Wine Review - #315)

I made this discovery a few years back and I'm still digging this wine today, that's called consistency

 

Moraine Winery 2019 Pinot Noir

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

SunRock Vineyards 2016 Red Meritage (The Wine Review - #309)

Time to find out why it's called SunRock and when it became its own brand : 

 

SunRock Vineyards 2016 Red Meritage

 

 available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

Culmina 2018 Chardonnay, Stan's Bench No. 11 (The Wine Review - #293)

A British Columbia Chardonnay experiment - one bottles tops the chart (for me anyway)

 

Culmina 2018 Chardonnay, Stan's Bench No. 11 

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores).

 

Laughing Stock 2017 Portfolio (The Wine Review - #291)

I've talked Portfolio before, time to do it again with this vintage : 

 

Laughing Stock 2017 Portfolio 

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores).

 

Backyard Vineyard 2017 Syrah Reserve (The Wine Review - #284)

Another Syrah in a series of Syrahs that I have highlighted from British Columbia : 

 

Backyard Vineyards 2017 Syrah Reserve

 

Deep Roots 2018 Syrah (The Wine Review - #280)

Time to look a grape that British Columbia should be known for, Syrah : 

 

Deep Roots 2018 Syrah

 

Dirty Laundry 2017 Bordello (The Wine Review - #276)

Today's wine is a red blend from British Columbia, Canada : 

Dirty Laundry 2017 Bordello

Burrowing Owl 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (The Wine Review - #274)

Today's wine is one of the best Cabs I have tried from this winery (ever) : 

Burrowing Owl 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

Moon Curser 2018 Contraband Syrah (The Wine Review - #272)

Today's wine is a fun little red from British Columbia (Canada) : 

Moon Curser 2018 Contraband Syrah