WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Hillside Gewurztraminer 2018, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley $19.12 I 88/100
UPC: 00626990019138
There’s a reason why the Hillside Gewurztraminer is so fragrant; it’s from five Naramata vineyards. But it’s equally exotic too, packed full of spice and sweet fruits. This off-dry, lychee, tangerine, pink grapefruit partyin-a-glass makes for a fun patio sipper. That said, you can chill it down and put it to work with any number of spicy South Asian dishes, including your favourite curry. Super value drink all winter and spice up your life.
Santa Julia Pinot Grigio Julia Zuccardi 2018, Mendoza, Argentina
$12.49 I 87/100
UPC: 7791728005103
I want to say this Argentine Pinot Grigio is more reminiscent of the B.C. style, but I’m not sure anyone knows what that is except for British Columbians. This is slightly more intense than expected, with bright fruit and even a little stony minerality. The palate is medium long, salty, dry, to a lightly bitter finish. Serve with your favourite seafood entree that you can squeeze some lemon over. Terrific value.
Pirramimma Pirra Cabernet Merlot, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
$17.99 I 89/100
UPC: 9315785000635
Cool is a relative term, but in 2016 you could describe the vintage as moderate for Australia, bringing brighter fruit to the sorting table. Five different vineyards made it into this classic Oz blend that is designed to be drunk on shipment. The attack is full-bodied with ripe, warm, juicy, black fruits with jammy textures. The finish is smooth and long with spicy highlights. Best with ribs, hamburgers or lamb chops. Good value and widely available at a fair price.
Brewer-clifton Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2016, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California $45-$59 private wine shops I 91/100
UPC: 748252065797
The Brewer-clifton Pinot is an assembly of three Sta. Rita Hills AVA sites: 3D (Swan, Pommard and 667 clones), Machado, and Hapgood (Merry Edwards clone). The style is in-yourface Pinot with full-on fruit aromas and flavours. It may be intense from a European standpoint, but it is restrained by New World standards. The nose is a dusty mix of sandalwood, brown spices, and tea leaf undercut by an earthy/ forest floor, raspberries and pomegranate. The fruit rests in all neutral barrels; stems are an essential part of the structure and earthy characters of the Sta. Rita Hills fruit. Warm, mouth-filling and ready for rich duck or pork dishes.
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California
$57.99 I 92/100
UPC: 015917026968
Freemark Abbey is enjoying a renaissance of sorts under the ownership of Jackson Family Wines. The Napa label is sizable at 24,000-plus cases, but it remains a “reserve” style in taste and quality. The nose and the attack are fresh and vibrant with spicy black fruit, umami-like savoury, tobacco and cedar mixed into a warm, mineral, floral undercarriage flecked with cloves and cinnamon.
It’s just settling in at the five-year mark, but there is plenty more to come. Ready to drink too.