If you want two wines that would go very well at a dinner party with friends, then these two wines from BC’s Bonamici Cellars fit the bill. I really enjoyed my first sips of the Bonamici Cellars Pinot Grigio 2020 and Cabernet Franc 2020 wines as well as my sips after decanting. Let me tell you about these wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Bonamici Cellars Pinot Grigio 2020 (BC $21.90)
100% cool-fermented and Sur Lie aged in stainless steel for 5 months.
Appearance: Pale, bright straw colour.
Nose: Medium-plus fresh ripe stone fruit aromas plus a touch of orange. Some bramble leaf aroma with air. The aromas lighten with decanting, but you still get stone fruits and a touch of orange.
Palate: Dry with medium-plus acidity, flavours and body. Round, thicker, almost waxy texture to start, but lightens up with some swirling. Ripe peach and crisp apple flavours to start then add some bramble leaf and a touch of blossom with air. A hint of stoniness toward the finish. The same flavours and flavour intensity with decanting, but you can add touches of guava and orange blossom.
Finish: A medium length finishing with some acidic prickle and pepperiness. Citrus and stone fruit flavours. No major change with decanting, except you now get a light honey note.
A refreshing Pinot Grigio. I was surprised to see the residual sugar at 3.8g/L. You can’t tell it has that sweetness due to the acidity and abundant fruit flavours. Decant or not is OK. The winery notes that this wine should pair well with Mediterranean tapas dishes, seafood salads & Asian fusion cuisine.
Rating: 
A pale straw colour. Medium-plus intensity fresh fruit aromas of ripe stone fruits and a touch of orange. Medium-plus body, dry and round with a thicker mouthfeel. Vibrant acidity. Pronounced fruit aromas of peach and crisp apple, with a hint of blossom and guava with decanting. Medium length finishing with stone fruits, citrus, light acidic prickle and pepperiness on your tongue.
Bonamici Cellars Cabernet Franc 2020 (BC $34.90)
Winemaking – 30 days of skin maceration with two punch downs a day, followed by100% malolactic fermentation. Ageing – aged for 12 months in French Oak.
Appearance: A deep translucent garnet colour. About 90% opaque.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas showing red fruits, salami, red berries and cherries, raspberries, and hints of nutmeg, floral and red liquorice. With some swirl time, the nutmeg aroma grew in intensity. Mostly same aromas, but slightly less intensity for the salami, nutmeg and red liquorice.
Palate: Dry, round, and smooth, but still with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity and fine tannins that get stronger toward the finish. Medium-plus intensity flavours showing red fruits and berries, red plums, light cedar and a touch of cocoa. There is quite a strong nutmeg flavour as well. The tannins are slightly firmer giving the decanted wine more backbone. Mainly red fruit and nutmeg flavours, but still get the red berries, red plums, cedar, and cocoa.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with firmer, drying tanning, juicy red fruit, cherries, nutmeg and cedar flavours. More sweet fruit flavour on the finish with decanting and firmer tannic finish.
Quite a fruit-forward wine along with nutmeg flavour. Decanting will tone down the nutmeg a bit and give you more tannic structure. The winery notes this wine would be great with roast chicken or pork, burger on the BBQ, or pepperoni/meat pizza.
Rating: 
A deep, clear garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas showing red fruits, raspberries, red berries, salami, and touches of nutmeg and red liquorice. Medium-plus body, dry and lean, but still round. Red fruit and berries, red plums and strong nutmeg flavour. Firmer tannins on the finish.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase both of these wines through the Bonamici Cellar’s website. The Pinot Grigio is available at Everything Wine and at select Save-on-Foods stores.
