IN THE CELLAR

FOR THE COLLECTOR

Les deux Anges Sablet Côtes de Rhône Villages, Rhone Valley, France, $ 23

UPC: 003522350023104

Score: 90/ 100 In 2010, the southern Rhône experienced the same weather/ growing season as the north, including plenty of couture, or shatter, that reduced the crop substantially. According to Rhone expert John Livingstone- Learmonth, it’s one of the best vintages in 40 years. This Séguret appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages is a 70/ 27/ 3 mix of Black Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, and it is delicious. There is just enough freshness to carry the big red fruit flavours and spice. This wine is just beginning to show its stuff and will easily live through 2020. Lamb chops, osso buco, well you get the picture: rich dishes.

B. C. WINE OR THE WEEK

CedarCreek Platinum Home Block Pinot Noir 2010, Okanagan Valley, $ 40

UPC: 778913064524

Score: 90/ 100 Winemaker Darryl Brooker’s first red wines to be released include the Home Block 2010 Platinum Pinot Noir ( blocks two and four) replete with its floral/ fragrant cool Pinot nose flecked with spice, black cherry and Worcestershire sauce. The attack is similarly cool and restrained with light tannins and firm black and sour cherry fruit mixed with dried herbs. A new, cooler direction for his variety that better expresses its northern terroir. Try this with grilled salmon or roast turkey.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Wind for Waves at The Four Seasons Hotel is presented in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium in support of Ocean Wise. Enjoy the best of Naramata wines while sampling Ocean Wise culinary offerings from partners YEW Restaurant + Bar, as well as Naramata Bench’s own Hillside Winery Bistro; Lake Breeze Vineyards The Patio restaurant; Red Rooster’s P. INC. restaurant; Poplar Grove’s The Vanilla Pod; Misconduct Wine Co.’ s The Kitchen; and Upper Bench Winery and Creamery. The event runs Friday April 26, 7 to 9: 30 p. m. Visit vanaqua.org/wineforwaves