Pelican Bay Wine Tasting at Dockside Restaurant Highlights!

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful and sunny, and the Dockside Restaurant perfectly placed in Granville Island looking over the water. With this as our backdrop we were enticed to try wines from around the world by 17 different wine agencies here in Vancouver. The name of the event is Pelican Bay Wine Tasting. As I had not attended this event before, I was not sure if we would be tasting wines from a winery called Pelican Bay, or from many wineries. Mystery solved. As I stood in front of Table 8, I saw a sign at the dock leading down to some boats “Pelican Bay Marina“. As well I was told the restaurant was previously known as the Pelican Bay Pub.

As I mentioned there were 17 different agents pouring 2 or more wines at their table. There were wines from Chile, Italy, Argentina, BC, California, France and more. I did have a few favourite wines and I would like to pass them along to you. This was a walkabout event, with some appetizers in the room. Not lots of room to write wine tasting notes, so my notes are not quite as detailed as I usually am, but you should get the main points that I liked about each wine.

My Wine Picks

Joel Gott Zinfandel 2009

Joel Gott Zinfandel, 2009, California ($26) – This was a very nice juicy raspberry and sweet ripe fruit wine to enjoy. Soft mouthfeel.
Scaia Bianco Veneto, Italy ($23) – This was a very interesting blend of Chardonnay and Garganega. Aromas and flavours of pine needles and stone fruit. Round and very flavourful. Would be a fun summer wine.
Carmen Pinot Noir Reserva, 2010, Chile ($18) – Violet aromas. Cinnamon, violet, vanilla and cherry flavours. Light body, low tannins. Very tasty.
Les Violettes, Cotes du Rhone, 2010, France ($22) – Medium body with soft mouthfeel. Cassis and ripe cherry flavours. Restrained Old World style.
Chateau des Aveylans Rouge, Costieres de Nimes, France ($18) – This is possibly my overall favourite red wine of the evening. This is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Very nice aromas. Full body, dry, meaty, black fruit flavours. You can drink this one on its own or enjoy with some cheddar or a grilled chop or steak.
Mas des Aveylans Syrah Cuvee, 2005, Costieres de Nimes, France ($22) – The big brother of the previous wine, is 100% Syrah. Meaty and chocolate flavours. Medium tannins. Such great flavour for a wine that has aged 7 years!
Copain Syrah, 2010, Russian River Valley, California ($51) – A very elegant wine with violets on the nose and blueberries on the palate. Delicious.
Giesen The Brothers Sauvignon Blanc and Meyer Family Vineyards Gewurztraminer

Giesen “The Brothers” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2010, New Zealand – This was my favourite white wine of the evening. Really wonderful ripe guava nose. High acidity, dry with lots of citrus and guava flavour. A definite buy!
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, California – Flowery nose. Light body, with nutmeg and ripe red fruit flavours, and a very nice mineral streak. Not a big heavy Cab, but quite enjoyable.
Michael David Winery Petite Petit, California ($36) – This is a blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot. My second favourite red wine of the event. A big red. Deep purple colour. Ripe black fruit, charcoal and oak on the nose, while on the palate it was full bodied but soft in your mouth. Ripe black fruit, smoky and spicy. A wow wine.