WEEKEND WINE PICKS
50th Parallel Estate Riesling 2019, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley $23.50 I 89/100
UPC: 626990162339 Lake Country Riesling is quickly becoming lightning in a bottle. At 50th Parallel, the fruit is all hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed before fermenting at what they term icy cold temperatures. The attack is all red apple covering lime pith and just an almost imperceptible hint of residual sugar in the finish. Fresh and bright, it works with chicken pizza, Thai curry, or West Coast shellfish.
Viña Leyda Rosé 2019, Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
$11.99 I 88/100
UPC: 0987090873232 We like this at $15.99, and it's on sale in 99 BCLDB stores for $11.99, so stock up. This Pinot Noir rosé grows a mere four kilometres from the cold Pacific Ocean, resulting in a light, fruity, fresh, pink with strawberry, grapefruit, and a soft, slippery texture. An undercurrent of lees adds a touch of complexity, but this is mostly ready to drink now with shellfish, cream cheeses, tomato pasta, or pizza.
Poplar Grove Lakeview Rosé 2019, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley $30.35 I 91/100
UPC: 626990397137
I was pleasantly surprised by the dryness of 2019, which immediately elevates it to the first team of B.C. rosés. Fresh and mouth-watering, the strawberry and pink grapefruit, and perfect balance takes me to Provence. Serve all summer with your favourite patio bites — a rosé for grown-ups.
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2017, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina
$14.99 I 88/100
UPC: 7791728000566
A 100 per cent Uco Valley Malbec that is hand-picked, fermented and left in contact with its skins for some 25 days before aging in older oak. The nose is classic Zuccardi, fresh, bright, red fruits evoking cherries, plums and blackberries. The tannins are minimal but support the finish that comes with flecks of black licorice. Serious yet simple stuff that way over-delivers for its new marked-down price. Back up the truck again.
Telmo Rodriguez Gaba Do Xil Mencia 2017, Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain $25-$35 I 89/100
UPC: 8436037407024 The origin of viticulture in this region is as old as the Romans and probably older. Phylloxera wiped out some of the original vineyards. The empty plots, abandoned for over a century, attracted Telmo Rodriguez and friends to revive some of the best mencia sites in Valdeorras. This mineral-saturated mix of scrubby dried herbs and bright red, smoky, peppery fruit is heaven for the aficionado. Pure and authentic, this indigenous grape is wild fermented and aged 12 months in stainless steel tanks. Drink or hold through 2025. Selected private wine shops only.