Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 89/100

Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Riesling (2018) is fragrant with ripe red apple, poached pear and Meyer lemon aromas on the nose; medium-bodied, fresh with ripe, apple, pear, sweet hay and bright citrus flavours fresh, smooth and well-integrated on the palate. Elegant and easy-to-enjoy on its own or with smoked salmon and brunch fare. Wine grapes for the Riesling reserve are sourced from a select block of estate-grown grapes from Dry Creek Vineyard which are cropped to less than 3.5 tonnes/acre. Grapes are hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, settled, racked and fermented cool and long with native yeasts in stainless steel tank. The finished wine is bottle-aged for nine months prior to its release. Cork sealed. This vintage was awarded Gold at the 2019 National Wine Awards of Canada and Double Gold at the 2019 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 92/100

Lots of ripe berry fruit and bright florals on this 65% Syrah and 35% Merlot rosé blend from Vanessa Vineyards in the Similkameen. A barely blushing salmon hue in the glass, intensely fragrant with raspberry, strawberry, ripe plum, sage and spring-rain mineral aromas on the nose. Dry (0.9 g/l residual sugar) vibrant with ripe raspberry, bright cherry, dried pink florals, fine herbs, soft citrus and clean mineral flavours finishing long on the palate. Absolutely excellent and so much to enjoy here! Paired with roast chicken. Tasted May 2020. The estate-grown wine grapes for this ripe and intense vintage (Brix 25) enjoyed an abundance of warmth, sun along with cool nights on sloping hillsides overlooking the Similkameen Valley. Grapevines are surrounded with rows of rock absorbing heat and warmth during the day while moderating the valley's cooler nights.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 91/100

Sperling Vineyards Vision Series Chardonnay 2017 B.C. V.Q.A. is produced from 100% estate-grown organic grapes from younger vines. Grapes are hand-harvested, cluster-sorted and gently whole-cluster pressed. Fermented in 500 Litre French oak puncheons with malolactic fermentation. Select barrels are blended and bottled after 10-12 months of aging on lees and with some batonage. Fragrant with honeysuckle, mineral and soft citrus aromas on the nose. Dry, medium-bodied, elegant and creamy on the palate with ripe yellow apple, vanilla pudding, soft orange flavours and a mineral backbone from beginning to end. Beautifully balanced, vibrant and mouth filling with a juicy, lengthy finish. Another Beautiful Chardonnay from Sperling Vineyards!

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 92/100

Meaty, meaty, meaty! Steak, steak, steak! A beautiful Côtes du Rhône-style 92% Syrah (clone 100) and 8% Viognier red wine blend produced from estate-grown grapes from Vanessa Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. Opaque ruby in the glass, fragrant with cooked bacon, grilled meat, cloves, pink rose petals, dark cherry, liquorice aromas, distinct but well-married. Powerful elegance, medium-plus-bodied with juicy dark cherry, plum, liquorice, menthol, pepper and oak spice with a smooth and juicy long sour cherry finish to mid-palate topped with a smattering of mochanilla. From a fairy-tale vintage and exceptionally well-crafted. The Syrah and Viognier grapes were co-fermented, then aged 20 months in new and previous-use oak barrels (60% American oak / 40% French oak). Delicious with a prime roast of beef done rare. Tasted May 2020.

Deborah Podurgiel scored this wine: 92/100

Highly Recommended! I am having so much fun with this 2018 vintage of Fort Berens Estate Winery’s Pinot Noir, produced mostly from estate grapes grown in Lillooet. Limpid ruby in the glass and barely darker than a rosé, but don’t let looks deceive because the nose is a wallop of cinnamon, ginger spice, ripe red berry, cherry, cranberry, dill, earthy, savoury fine herbs and a lot of the sniffs you'll find when you walk through a farmer's market in the fall. Dry, medium-bodied, bright, medium-plus acidity with layers of ripe red cherry, rose petals, baked goods, cinnamon, ginger, white pepper and judicious oak spice flavours finishing with velvety tannins, elegant, long and comfy on the mid-palate. The Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels. Complex and delicious. Pair with roast quail and a perfect pairing to turkey pot pie. Tasted May 2020. Buy this one by the case because you will be sorry when it is gone.