WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Terravista Fandango 2016, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley
$24.90 | 91/100
UPC: 627843135265
This is the sixth vintage of Fandango, a singular Canadian blend of Albariño and Verdejo from Terravista’s granitic home vineyard, Lone Hand Ranch, on the slopes of the Upper Naramata Bench. Lime blossom and lime pith, ripe apricot, orchard pear, peach fuzz, scents of anise, and a pile of acidity that streams along the palate (pleasantly watery) with lively acidity to a gingery finish. Slightly fatter than the straight Albariño, but equally delicious. Tapas anyone? Winery/private wine shops only.
Terravista Albariño 2016, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley
$24.90 | 91/100
UPC: 627843135302
This is one of Canada’s unique wines. Vintage three of this Naramata Bench-dominant Albariño is 70 per cent home grown on Lone Hand Ranch. The remaining 30 per cent comes off the Gravelbourg Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench. The nose is an enticing mix of anise, nectarine, tangerine and apricot that remains fresh throughout a full, off-dry, glycerol-slicked palate. A flush of ginger spice permeates the finish that remains bright, suggesting glass after glass with just about any food you can think of. Impressive vintage after vintage, it should make the Spanish nervous. Winery/private wine shops only.
Terravista Figaro 2015, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley
$24 | 89/100
UPC: 627843135258
Roussanne and Viognier. Who thought of that besides winemaker Senka Tennant? Well the Rhone Valley did, as is now the Naramata Bench. The blend is frankly peachy with some apricots, yellow plums, limes and desert sage, and it couldn’t be more perfect. The acid remains lively, and the secret to a wine that could die from its own unctuousness, yet doesn’t. Rather it’s perfect. Fish seems the match, but the Tennants suggest nut-crusted meats. Stock up. Winery/private wine shops only.
Terravista Viognier 2016, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley $18.90 | 88/100
UPC: 627843135296
We like to say this Viognier is Naramata meets Condrieu, thanks to its rich, expansive, creamy palate. In 2016 the nectarine/apricot skin aromas mix effortlessly with perfumed mandarin oranges and ginger. The palate is soft, but juicy, with a touch of bitterness that keeps the ripe fruit in line. I prefer these wines young, but others will revel in this bottle with two or three years more of aging. Pair this with a lobster roll, or a mild curry.
Stag’s Hollow Albarino Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard 2016, Okanagan Valley
$20.25 | 90/100
UPC: 626990195771
Stag’s Hollow is providing some real competition for the very fine Terravista Albariño made mostly from Naramata Bench fruit. The difference is in weight and acidity, with the Stag’s Hollow Okanagan Falls fruit showing a tighter, leaner thread of pear melon with a citrus, licorice undercurrent. Winemaker Dwight Sick does some partial barrel ferment here in 500L French puncheons, but with no malolactic fermentation to keep it fresh. Six weeks battonage gives it just the right texture to please without overwhelming your palate. A clean, bright, version made for local seafood or a Margherita pizza. Winery/private wine shops only.