Sumac Ridge Tribute “Silver” Sparkling Wine

One can be content with the silver, in this case. It is a pleasant, crisp traditional method sparkling wine, made from 100% chardonnay. Lemon and citrus aromas, with a touch of toasted bread, on the nose, and apple and a touch of pear on the palate, with plenty of lively bubbles to give it a true sense of celebration. Not terribly complex, but neat and well-made enough to keep you smiling through the final hockey game – where silver, however, will not keep Canadians content.

Mission Hill Quatrain 2006

Quatrain is absolutely striking in its exuberant fruit, concentration and smooth, silky tannins. The blend of shiraz, merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon could feel over the top, but its relatively moderate alcohol (13%) and good acidity keep it food-friendly and balanced.
WHO Mission Hill
WHAT Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
WHERE Canada, British [...]

Closson Chase 2007 South Clos Chardonnay

Ten years ago, there was hardly a vine in the area, and now over thirty wineries are active. Closson Chase is one of the very best (along with Long Dog, Norman Hardie, By Chadsey’s Cairn and Rosehall Run), with careful vineyard management and unabashed use of barrel-fermentation in French oak for the Chardonnays. The South [...]

Le Clos Jordanne 2007 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir

This joint venture by Boisset and Vincor is an exceptional experiment in characterizing the terroir of the Niagara region, through a fully Burgundian, single-vineyard approach to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the recently-released 2007 vintage, Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir, the most exclusive bottling produced by Le Clos Jordanne, stole the show with incredible depth and [...]

2008 La Stella Vivace

La Stella Vivace is a fine example of the Okanagan coming through in the grape. Grown sustainably and organically, the Vivace is crisp and refreshing with citrus and green pears on the nose. The palate reveals a touch more citrus, a juicy splash of green tree fruits (apples & pears), hints of tropical fruit (think: pineapple) and an undertone of sage and stone that reminds me so much of the desert.

Harvest Report: Okanagan Valley

This year saw a late spring and bud break followed by a long and hot summer throughout the Okanagan that led to one of the best post-veraison ripening periods the Valley has ever experienced.

2006 La Stella Allegretto

This Merlot comes from BC’s Okanagan Valley. I found plum, dark berries and rose petal on the nose. On the palate, it had supple tannins and a level of acidity that worked with flavors of plum, dark berries, black cherries and chocolate to provide a long, pleasing finish. I served La Stella Allegretto with barbequed [...]

2008 Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc

With partial fermentation in air-dried Billon French oak and the rest in steel tanks, this Okanagan Sauvignon Blanc presents with green grass, citrus and lemon drops on the nose. On the palate, it has citrus, pineapple, green apple and a little vanilla combined with great acid and a finish that hangs around. A super solo [...]