A truly Okanagan expression of the variety, leaning more towards tropical, stone fruit and citrus notes, supported by a freshness driven by juicy acidity, in part thanks to the west valley site and a cooler-than-usual July and good late summer diurnals. Lychee and lime on the palate play off a mineral streak through a lingering fresh and clean, fruity end. Exceptional value.
Made from 32-year-old vines, this Chardonnay was barrel-fermented for 20 months and malolactic was partially done, bestowing the wine a creamy texture while still retaining acidity. Peach, apple purée, vanilla, citrus and spice are all present in this succulent wine. Drink it over the next 5 years.
Vibrant, elegant and complex with aromas of black berry, blueberry, black pepper and spice. Rich but layered red, black and blue fruit flavours and spice, firm underlying structure, silky mouthfeel, great focus, beautiful construction and a long, lingering finish. Approachable without sacrificing complexity. Would pair beautifully with peppercorn and herb-crusted venison.
Dark fruit, cinnamon, a touch of clove and elegant cedary scents open the way for succulent plum, blackberry and black cherry flavours. Stiff tannins and somewhat aggressive acidity need a bit more time to soften. Drinking well now with food but will reward laying down for 3‒5 years.
Great value for this intense, youthful Chenin Blanc, sourced from various vineyards in the Coastal and Breede river regions of the Western Cape. Tight and lean gooseberry, mandarin and pear are slicked with Chenin's characteristic honey and kissed with meadow and hay. A wash of bitter citrus closes out the juicy finish. A step sideways from Sauvignon Blanc; pour with prawns or calamari.
Nordés translates to the name of the wind that brings good weather. Turns out, it brings good gin, too. Using an Albariño wine base (kinda cool), this unique gin combines the usual flavour suspects (juniper, cardamon, etc.) with sage, laurel, eucalyptus, mint, glasswort, and lemon verbena. It’s very fresh, with herbal, menthol, red berry and pomegranate notes. Soft, clean, savoury, mildly spicy and quite complex. A bit off the beaten track, but that’s where gin seems to be going these days.
A well-priced opportunity to try some different varietals, like the Touriga Nacional in this blend. Medium-deep American Beauty red, with a promising fine-particle haze. Delivers intense pipe tobacco, licorice and strawberry-jam aromas. Medium-bodied, dark cherry flavours; still-prominent tannins, tastes less complex than that wonderful nose suggests. At its best now.