WEEKEND WINE PICKS
LaStella Vivace Pinot Grigio 2016, Okanagan Valley $22.99 | 90/100 UPC:
857077004192
This is an impressive bottle of Pinot Grigio. As lively and bright as its name, Vivace is back to a tighter, leaner form in 2016. Early picked, the fruit is sourced from vineyards 16 to 30 years old along the Golden Mile, Naramata Bench, and as far north as Peachland. It spends five months on its lees, adding some flesh to a bonedry frame. Asian pear, green melon, yellow apple, mandarin blossom with fine, zesty spicing on a snappy, bitter lemon finish. An ideal counterpart to simple steamed clams, or grilled halibut.
Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling 2015, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany $25.99 | 88/100 UPC:
875734001025
Simple is good and the Urban is all that. Floral, red apple, honey aromas dominate with a dressing of citrus. The attack is similar, with floral cherry fruit, more red apple, slate, guava and citrus bits. Ready to drink, in a fresh, light and elegant style. The fruit is grown down the road from St.Urbans-Hof in Mehring, over steep blue slate. A good sushi white.
Abbazia di Novacella Pinot Grigio 2015, Trentino-Alto-Adige, Italy $29.99 | 90/100 UPC:
8025300025005
The abbey of Novacella has been around since the 12th century at the northern end of Alto Adige’s Isarco Valley (if walls could talk). Viticulture is some 850 years old in the region and the abbey owns many vineyards and manages others based on ancient relationships. The Pinot Grigio is a classic aromatic white from a very cool high-altitude site. The flavour profile is tight and lemony with mouth-watering acidity, minerality and freshness from front to back. The perfect match for shellfish dishes.
Perseus Merlot 2014, Okanagan Valley $19.99 | 87/100 UPC:
626990174691
Blind Creek Vineyard on the Cawston Bench in Similkameen is the home of this Merlot, grown over sandy topsoil above silt and gravel and sandy loam, over river rock and gravel, all with warm southwest facing. The wine is aged in American and French oak for 16 months. Look for lifted candied black cherry aromas with some meaty reductive notes that persist onto a soft easy-sipping style palate. More sweet jammy fruit marks the finish. Simple and ready to drink hamburger red.
Rodney Strong Zinfandel Knotty Vines 2014, Sonoma County, California $22.99 | 87/100 UPC:
087512920057
Always attractive and soft, the nose opens with brambleberry and powdered chocolate aromas, with a touch of spice. The attack is smooth with warm, spicy, smoky, black fruits lined with licorice. Sweet warm and soft, this slides down effortlessly. The “Knotty Vines” were planted in 1904, and a small portion is blended with other grapes from the Russian River and Alexander valleys. It’s ready to drink now, and will take on most hamburgers, barbecued ribs or chicken. Simple, straight-up Zinfandel.