Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 93/100

Wow! This is a first-class act Sauvignon Blanc from Little Engine Winery on the Naramata Bench. I love Sauvignon Blanc but I really LOVE this Sauvignon Blanc! Silky, bright with beautifully-balanced acidity, this very dry SB starts off with grassy, fine herb, citrus zest aromas and flavours, then surprise! Full-on with orange blossom, stone-fruit and a pillow of vanilla, lavender and mild nutty flavours finishing long and harmonious with fine herb, citrus zest and a clean mineral kiss. Beautifully-crafted. On the bottle’s back label and on its cork there is this message: “Dreams don’t come true; dreams are made true”. This one succeeds. Tasted September 2020.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 90/100

Vibrant, lively and a mouth-puckering riot in the mouth with juicy blackberry, jolly rancher raspberry, ripe red plum, bright cherry and wild red berry flavours with a soft citrus finish that lingers on the palate. Kismet Winery’s Lotus Rosé (2019) is an off-dry, medium-bodied rosé blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Grenache with a splash of Orange Muscat produced in the saignée method. Enjoy chilled on its own, although there is great food-friendly acidity on this rosé and we paired it with seared Ahi tuna steaks. Tasted September 2020.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 92/100

From Kismet Estate Winery in the South Okanagan, Saféd 2019 is elegant on the nose with soft aromas of warm, fresh cut hay, camomile and orange blossoms. The 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Semillon and 17% Orange Muscat blend is off-dry, medium-bodied, smooth and generous with white florals, camomile, orange blossom, a kiss of tropical fruit, fine herb, cut hay and mandarin flavours ultra-balanced with bright acidity and lingering with a mandarin zest finish. Very finessed and easy to love chilled on its own or with almond-crusted pan-fried pickerel. Tasted September 2020. This vintage was awarded Silver at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 89/100

From Monte Creek ranch & Estate Winery, this is a fun bubble for brunch, Mimosas or try it with a Bellini made with apricot puree. Produced in the Charmat Method and made from 100% estate-grown La Crescent and Frontenac Blanc grapes. The base wine was aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks. Fragrant with ripe white-fleshed stone-fruit, tropical fruit and beeswax aromas on the nose, this easy-to-enjoy playful bubble is off-dry with honeyed pear, citrus, Ataulfo mango and nectarine flavours creamy on the palate. Tasted September 2020.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 94/100

Poplar Grove 2016 Syrah is smoky, rich and powerful. Smoky on the nose with ripe dark cherry, violets, lavender, cocoa, dried tobacco leaf, vanilla and toasty oak spice. Dry, medium-plus-bodied with a mouthful of ripe dark cherry, dark berry flavours evolving to pink rose petals and seriously spicy with clove, anise, white pepper and moderate-toast oak spice. Tannins are structured and fine. A beautiful Syrah, rich, smooth and well-crafted. Excellent now, but can easily cellar for two years to integrate oak spice. Delicious with garlic-rosemary lamb chops from the grill. Grapes for the 2016 Syrah were sourced from Poplar Grove Winery’s Haynes Creek Vineyard in south-eastern Osoyoos. This vintage was awarded Gold at the London Wine competition. Tasted September 2020.