WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Bartier Bros. Merlot 2016, Oliver, Okanagan Valley $21.99 | 90/100
UPC: 628055147114
The Bartier Merlot comes off the home Cerqueira Vineyard along the Black Sage Terrace in Oliver. There is freshness and nimbleness to the front end, a result of its aging in neutral French barrels for 14 months. The nose is a mix of blue/ red fruit with a savoury mineral undercurrent. The finish is bright with pleasing stony/silky, black cherry, salty fruit free of any obvious oak with just a brush of tannins to facilitate another five years of bottle aging, if you like your Merlot mature. Perfect now with most any of your favourite steak cuts. Super value. Real wine.
Volcanic Hills Gamay Noir 2016, Okanagan Valley $16.90 | 88/100
UPC: 626990244165
Another fine example of how much this grape has matured in B.C. It has a juicy factor that begs you to keeping draining your glass. The aromas are intense and reminiscent of black cherries and wild strawberries. The attack is soft and slippery, the tannins light, and it spends three to four months in French and American oak. Love the smoky, meaty, peppery, tobacco, licorice notes that punctuate its fresh palate. Volcanic Hills Winery sits on the southeastern slope of Mount Boucherie, a 60-million-year-old dormant volcano. Try this with grilled sausages.
Stoneboat Pinot House Pinot Noir 2015, Okanagan Valley $24.90 | 87/100
UPC: 626990241515
Similar to last year, with perhaps a bit riper fruit to take on the earthy, smoky notes. The attack is fresh with plummy, red and black fruit flecked with dark chocolate that finishes with a cleaner demeanour. A round, soft, oaky red suited to grilled sausages or pulled pork, and even dark chocolate.
Township 7 Merlot 2015, Okanagan Valley $22.97 | 89/100
UPC: 626990024583
Nice improvement here since we last saw this wine. Savoury, light, juicy, simple easy-sipping style of mid-week Merlot, but with a bit of life. It’s a blend of fruit form five sites with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon to keep its spine in place. The plummy fruit seems perfectly fitted to the oak, showing only a modicum of vanilla in the finish. Food friendly. Fair value.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Alive Organic Red 2016, Okanagan Valley $23 | 89/100
UPC: 779000128549
This organic red also utilizes biodynamic practices, and you can feel the brightness and lightness on the palate of this mix. Since we last saw this wine, the Marechal Foch has been dropped to excellent effect, adding Cabernet Franc to Merlot and Syrah and fermenting it in all in wood tanks before aging in neutral oaks for eight months. The delicate, juicy black and red fruit flavours punch well above their weight. Tannins are powdery smooth and light. Impressive local organic option for your roasted root vegetables or mushroom burger.