WEEKEND WINE PICKS

Mt. Boucherie Semillon 2013, Okanagan Valley

$16 | 89/100

UPC: 812289000400 Showing some of that attractive, savoury sheen of Sémillon that comes with age, this is honeyed pear, with grapefruit, tangerine pith and ample white pepper. There’s an alluring anise scent in what is a mediumbodied white with a fresh herbal, citrus, spiced finish. Impressive and will improve with even more time in the bottle.

Araldica Gavi 2015, Piedmont, Italy $20.99 | 89/100

UPC: 8010471004478

The 2014 was delicious, and it looks like the 2015 is even better. This is textbook modern Italian Cortese. With the cork stopper gone, this delicate, ethereal, white finally can do to your nose what it does to your palate. Citrus drenched almonds with a stony, salty undercurrent is all you need to know here. Think any seafood dish that needs a squeeze of lemon. Lively and fresh, this is Cortese you can’t ignore.

Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2015, South Africa

$23.99 | 90/100

UPC: 6001506904674 Toasted popcorn leads an expressive nose of ripe pear, perfumed blossom, peach, honeysuckle, cream, and a swirl of savoury, gingery spices. Concentrated, confident, polished and elegant this white is freshened with Chenin Blanc’s hallmark streak of acidity. Drinking well now, but will repay five years in the bottle. Super effort here.

Seven Directions Tractor and Vines Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2016, Okanagan Valley

$19.91 | 89/100

UPC: 626990275077

Trout Creek single-vineyard Pinot Noir is the grape behind this sensational looking, almost zero coloured Rosé with an equally enticing nose. Floral orange blossoms and citrus aromas waft from the glass. The attack is similar with bits of grapefruit, lime rind, citrus, ripe melon and peach with the perfect mix of acidity, sweetness and salt. Back up the truck if it isn’t all gone.

TintoNegro Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

$14.99 I 88/100

UPC: 89419005509

“Black wine” or tinto negro is a tip of the hat to Malbec and its brooding, opaque, purple colour, although this wine is showing more finesse than you might expect for the price. The fruit comes of sites in Mendoza’s Primera Zona of Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo at some 3,000-feet elevation. A fun barbecue red with soft, round textures that supports the bright fruit and freshness. A great example of less is more, and good value. Serve all summer around the barbecue.