WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Benjamin Bridge Brut Méthode Classique 2009, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia $45.99 | 90/100 UPC: 695555000287
This is a serious traditional method sparkler, made from decidedly untraditional grapes: L’Acadie, Chardonnay and Seyval. It has fine intensity and balance, if on the bone dry, austere side, with toasty, citrus nutty, baked green apple, pear, and light floral, honey aromas and flavours. We love the overall delicacy. Well done.
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2016, Okanagan Valley $17.99 | 87/100 UPC: 624802981024
Ripe, round and soft the Tinhorn Gris is always a crowd pleaser. Plenty of pear and honey mark the nose and palate with just enough orchard fruit acidity to keep it fresh. Ripe enough to take on dishes with a bit of spice or chill down and serve liberally on the patio with your favourite charcuterie plate. Ready to drink.
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2014, Okanagan Valley $25.99 | 89/100 UPC: 776545995117
We can do Merlot in B.C. when we put our minds to it — and it can be hedonistic, too. Ripe, full, dusty cherry fruit flecked with pepper and espresso notes mark a full-flavoured palate. The reserve level Merlot contains bits of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grown in the Okanagan south, Oliver and Osoyoos. It spends 13 months in French and American oak adding more texture. Solid, and will improve in the bottle over the next two years. Best with lamb or beef dishes.
Culmina Family Estate Hypothesis 2012, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley $38 | 89/100 UPC: 827413000089
The attack is dry, fresh and elegant but with still with somewhat austere, if youthful, tannins. Warm with black berry, cassis jam, coffee, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, black pepper, olive, light green bean, cranberry flavours with some tea and herb flavours on the finish. Good finesse and intensity but all in reserved style that will need some time to mature, maybe 2 to 5 years to tame the young tannins. A good follow up on the 2011.
CedarCreek Platinum Desert Ridge Single Vineyard Meritage 2013, Okanagan Valley $42.99 | 92/100 UPC: 778913800061
The Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 22 per cent Cabernet Franc, 14 per cent Merlot, and six per cent Malbec comes off a particularly stony, spare section of Desert Ridge Vineyard in Osoyoos to add some needed tension and complexity. Don’t let the red fruitcake flavours fool you, this wine needs another five years in bottle but it has the structure and finesse to go the length of time required for it to blossom. A perfect red for mushroom risotto, or Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Impressive.