The Fall BC VQA wines were released this past week, and as usual there are too many wines to taste and evaluate. I usually like to try wines I have not had before, or sample from BC newest wineries. If you have not come across the term VQA before, it stands for Vintners Quality Alliance, an association that was formed in 1990. It was created to guarantee consumers that they were drinking wine made from 100% BC grown grapes. And as well, all wineries in the program need to submit their wines to be tasted by a board to guarantee quality. Below are my top wine picks followed by my honorable mentions. Enjoy.
My Wine Picks
Baille-Grohman Estate Winery Chardonnay 2012 – Nice citrus and tropical fruit nose. Medium body, dry with light oak treatment. Mineral with light tropical fruit and sweet spice on the palate. Mouth watering acidity on the finish. Very tasty. Rating: 
CedarCreek Estate Winery Platinum Viognier 2014 – Medium intensity stone fruit, flowers, and spice on the nose. Medium body, soft and round in the mouth. Velvety. Ripe stone fruit and sweet spices. Rating:
Ex Nihilo Riesling 2013 – Light petrol nose. Light body, dry with mineral, citrus, petrol, dried apricots, and honey flavours. Very good. Rating:
Adega on 45th Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2011 – An interesting nose, full of dark chocolate and ripe black cherries. Medium body, medium acidity, dry with flavours of red & black cherries, cedar and a hint of chocolate. Rating:
Cassini Cellars Pinot Noir 2013 – Very pale garnet in colour. Violets, dried red cherries and tea leaves aromas. Light body, dry with sweet spices, tea leaves, cherries. Peppery finish, with fine tannins. Rating:
Daydreamer Jasper 2013 – A blend of 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, this wine has aromas of ripe, sweet plums, dark fruit and some sweet spice. Medium body, soft and round with a mineral edge. Red fruit and sweet spices. Delicious. Rating: 
Daydreamer Marcus Ansems Shiraz 2013 – Coffee and dark fruit aromas in the glass. I really liked the nose on this wine. Full body, with coffee, dark fruit, and nutmeg flavours. Dry with medium acidity and soft tannins. Rating:
Gold Hill Winery Merlot 2012 – Ripe plums with a hint of capsicum on the nose. Medium plus body, dry with minerality. Ripe raspberries, red fruits, and plums. Very juicy ripe fruit flavours. Rating:
Some Honorable Mentions
Backyard Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2014 – LIght rose petals aroma in the glass. Off-dry, medium body, soft and round mouth feel. Light roses, honey and peach flavours. Rating: 
BC Wine Studio The Escapist Pinot Gris 2014 – Light, bright stone fruit nose. Medium body, mineral, with melon followed by stone fruit flavours. Dry. Nice. Rating:
Calliope Wines Viognier 2013 – Nice peach primarily and stone fruit nose. Medium body, light acidic prickle on the tongue. Stone fruit, with herbal edge and minerality on the finish. A complex wine. Rating:
C.C. Jentsch Cellars Syrah 2013 – Nice nose with aromas of cassis, red fruit, a hint of roses and oak. Dry, medium body with higher acidity and fine tannins. Flavours of sour raspberries, blueberries and red cherries followed by oak and spice. Rating:
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2012 – Dark fruit, chocolate and capsicum on the nose. Dry with salty minerality. Lighter mouth feel. Red cherries, plums and cedar, with pepper on the finish. Tasty. Rating:
T.H. Wines Cabernet Merlot 2012 – The Cabernet in this case is Cabernet Franc. Roses, red cherries, and raspberry aromas. Garnet with slight bricking in the glass. Medium body, dry with a light mouth feel and soft tannins. Red cherries, tea leaves, and a hint of cedar. An elegant wine. Rating:
