Category: merlot

2022 was a super vintage for the Okanagan wineries.  Hester Creek Estate Winery, as part of this epic vintage, vinified their first Super Tuscan style wine, named UNDICI.  To taste UNDICI is to taste a little bit of Italy.  UNDICI joins The Judge and Garland as part of their Origin Series wines. Together these three wines reflect the beautiful terroir…

We have had some turmoil in Canada and in BC for wines in 2025.  Many BC interior wineries suffered from the 2024 cold snap causing them to either not produce any wine in 2024, or importing grapes from across the border, or from Ontario.  We also had the removal of USA wines from BC government liquor stores.  Overall, we had…

Today I have two wines for you from south Okanagan’s Gold Hill Winery; their Gold Hill Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Charisma Cabernet Merlot 2021.  Charisma is their second label.  Charisma wines curates charming approachable everyday drinking wines.  There were scattered forest fires in the BC interior in 2021, but the winemakers at that time did not notice any smoke taint…

You may have noticed that I had not posted anything wine related for the last 2 weeks, as I was away, but now I’m back, and have my first two wines to tell you about from BC’s Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.  I opened their Interlude Select Sauvignon Blanc 2024 and  their Provenance Series Cabernet Merlot 2022.  The Interlude Select…

We are well into the colder, winter weather now here in BC.  So it is time to venture into deeper, red wines.  I have two red wines from Oliver’s Gold Hill Winery. I have their Gold Hill Oxbow Reach Merlot 2019 and Oxbow Reach Cabernet Franc 2019. Both are interestingly from the 2019 vintage, with now 6 years of aging. …

I saved my last two wines from Domaine Artema Winery to be their Village Sparkling Rosé 2024 and their La Petite Mort (port style), NV, dessert wine.  These two wines can cover the start and end of a delicious dinner.  I did not decant either wine.  In the first case, you don’t want the delicious bubbles in your sparkling wine…

I was privileged to be invited to attend the “Iconic Wineries of British Columbia” Holiday Preview this week, held at the Holt Renfrew, in downtown Vancouver.  We sampled selections from Mission Hill Family Estate, Martin’s Lane, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, Liquidity Wines, and Road 13 Vineyards.  There were red, white, rose, and sparkling wines, along with canapes, made by the chefs from…

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet, BC.  I have admired their wines since they started, and I’ve been letting wine lovers know that they are producing excellent wines in Lillooet.  There are two wines that I did not have a chance to try on my visit.  Luckily, co-owner, Heleen Pannekoek, gave…

Here are my last two wines from Osoyoos’ Adega on 45th Estate Winery for you; A 2024 Rosé and a 2020 Malbec.  The Rosé is made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes.  Let me tell you about them. My Wine Tasting Notes Adega on 45th Estate Winery Rosé 2024 (BC $24.99.  A wine club exclusive.) Winemaker’s notes, a blend of…

My last winery visit while I was staying in the Osoyoos area was the La Stella Winery.  I met with tasting room manager, Wade Martin, as he poured me their recent wine releases and discussed wines in general.  Their winery like other Okanagan wineries was affected by the 2024 winter blast.  Out of 70 acres of planted vines, they were…