2018 was a warm year in BC with a long Fall that caused our grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness. I have two red wines from Gold Hill Winery‘s 2018 vintage showing black ripe fruit. Buy them now to enjoy over the next few years.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Gold Hill Winery Syrah 2018 (BC $42.99)
This wine has 3% Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah grapes. This in general brings a deeper colour to Syrah and adds a floral component.
Appearance: Opaque ruby.
Nose: Light aromas of dried meat, black fruit, oak, black pepper, and a touch of floral. With decanting you can add some toastiness and mace spice, and lose the floral note.
Palate: Dry, round, with medium body, tannins and acidity, but medium-plus flavour intensity. Black fruit and blackberries predominate, with touches of floral, dried meat, black pepper, charcoal, and dark chocolate. A medium-plus body with decanting, with black fruit, plums, and touches of mace and floral. No dried meat or dark chocolate on the palate.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with flavours of black fruits, black plums, and with air cherries, floral and some pepperiness. Medium tannins. Less peppery and no floral on the finish with decanting.
I prefer the undecanted version of this wine. I do enjoy floral aromas and flavours on the palate. I tried this wine with candied ginger dipped in dark chocolate and it was delicious. Recommended.
Rating: 
Opaque ruby in the glass. Light aromas of dried meat, black fruit, black pepper, oak and a touch of floral. Dry, medium body and round mouthfeel. Dark fruits, blackberries, with a touch of floral, dried meat, and spices. Black pepper on the mid-palate. Medium-plus length finishing with black fruit and black plums, medium tannins and pepperiness.
Gold Hill Winery Merlot 2018 (BC $42.99)
Appearance: A deep garnet colour, about 85% opaque.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas, smoky, plums, sweet spices, black fruits, along with touches of oak and green peppers. No green pepper with decanting, but you now get some tarry aromas.
Palate: Dry, round, medium body with a rich ripe smooth fruit mouthfeel. Black fruit, black cherries and plum flavours, with lesser amounts of vanilla, oak, coffee & cocoa, and dark chocolate. This wine is also quite peppery. Chalky drying tannins. The wine still feels round and rich on the palate, with the black fruit, cherry, and plum fruit flavours plus a touch of floral. The chocolate and vanilla go away and the wine is less peppery.
Finish: A medium-plus length with a mix of grippy tannins and tart black fruit, plus pepperiness. Less peppery and more lean mouthfeel on the finish with decanting.
Another wine I prefer to drink upon opening, no decanting. I think that this wine can age for another 2-3 years for optimum enjoyment.
Rating: A deep garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas with smokiness, plums, black fruit, sweet spices, and oak. Dry, black fruit flavours primarily with touches of black cherry, plum, oak and vanilla. Quite peppery. Firmer tannins on the finish.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these two wines from the Gold Hill Winery website:
