Here is my last wine review for 2015. It has been an amazing year of trying wines from around the world, and meeting with wine makers from around the world. BC’s winery list continues to grow, and winery regions as well. I look forward to what surprises 2016 will offer us. Happy New Year with much prosperity to all my readers.
My Review of Samantha Canyonview Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
Samantha Rahn came to Okanagan Crush Pad, located in Summerland, BC, as a recipient of the 2013 Okanagan Wine Campus program which was launched in 2011, to further British Columbia’s wine-and-food culture. Each year, the winery opens its doors to the recipient of the BC Sommelier of the Year award, and works with that person to create his or her own wine.
The Samantha Syrah 2013 she created was released in 2014 was highly regarded and in demand. So, Samantha decided to make another wine, the Samantha Canyonview Vineyard Chardonnay as one of Okanagan Crush Pad’s custom crush clients. The Chardonnay has a drawing of someone riding on a mountain bike, which I think wants to show people that this should be a fun wine to enjoy, and shows one of Samantha’s passions when she is not being a sommelier.
Samantha Canyonview Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 ($22.90) – Medium lemon with a green tinge in colour. It has youthful aromas of lemon, lees, and lemon skin. It is dry and gives a light acid prickle on your tongue. It is not round in the mouth, so no secondary MLF. The wine was fermented in concrete, to give the best expression of fruit to you. It has pears, along with apple and lemon, and a hint of green citrus. Light lees. A bit of bitterness on the mid palate. Medium length, mouth watering acidity, with citrus and citrus rind on the finish.
Rating: 
A straight forward, medium bodied Chardonnay with citrus on the nose and pears on the palate. Enjoy with roast pork or grilled pork chops.
You can purchase this wine through the Okanagan Crush Pad website. I’ve also seen it at Kitsilano Wine Cellars.
