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Wine Picks June 15, 2017

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Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, it's a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in liquor stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more info.

Lunessence Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Smoky with lemongrass vibrancy like sunshine piercing clouds. Medium-bodied with juicy acidity. Perfect for seafood. Drink: 2015 - 2017 13% D 750 mL $17.00 Score: 89/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: This robust, juicy, mouth-watering wine has layers of ripe black fruit and some smoke. Good acidity through the mid-palate for tangy meat sauces. This robust BC red wine is made from the classic Cabernet Sauvignon grape and was aged for 6 months in French, Slovakian and neutral oak barrels. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2017 - 2027 14.5% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lunessence Crescendo 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A full-bodied, savoury, supple BC red wine that's a traditional Bordeaux blend (Meritage) of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec grapes. The wine was aged for 6 months in French and Slovakian oak barrels. Mouth-watering juiciness and black fruit aromas make this a great match for grilled meats. Drink: 2017 - 2027 13.5% D 750 mL Score: 91/100. June 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Winemaker’s Cut Syrah 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, generous, juicy, savoury and smoky BC red wine made from the Syrah grape. Loaded with black plum, cedar brush and bacon aromas. Full-bodied and supple. Pair with rack of lamb. Drink: 2017 - 2027 157192 14% XD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 93/100. June 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black hills Cellar Hand Punch Down Red 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Lots of mocha and hickory stick campfire smoke from generous oak aging on this BC red wine produced by Black Hills Winery. Cellar hands are winemaker's assistants. This is a full-bodied blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc grapes. Notes of black fruit and smoke on the finish. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2015 - 2019 13.4% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Hills Estate Winery Carmenere 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: This is something special! This robust, savoury BC red wine is made from the Carmenere grape, more closely associated with Chile than the Okanagan Valley. However, this is a gorgeous expression of this varietal. Aromas of dark plum, bacon, smoke and cedar brush. Decant 1 hour. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2016 - 2023 380063 12.9% D 750 mL Score: 93/100. June 2017. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Featherstone Winery Cabernet Franc 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Juicy and mouth-watering with fleshy black plums and tart blackberries. Smooth and supple and medium-bodied. Pair with grilled pork chops. Cabernet Franc food pairings: lamb, beef rosciutto, goat cheese, turkey, beef stew with root veggies, red pepper stuffed with rice and meat. Drink: 2016 - 2020 64618 12.3% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. June 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Malivoire Wine Company Guilty Men Red 2015, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, layered, mouth-filling red wine with fleshy sweet black plum notes and mocha aromas from oak aging. Love the low alcohol on this cool climate Niagara red wine yet it's still packed with juicy, layers of red berry flavour! This Niagara red wine is a blend of red grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Merlot (40%), and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir, made by one of the province's most respected wineries that operates on a gravity flow basis so the grapes and juice are gently handled. Pair with grilled pork chops. Food pairings: grilled or roast beef, lamb, duck or game with mushrooms, garlic and tomato sauce. Drink: 2015 - 2019 192674 12.7% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. June 2017. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Rosés

Lunessence Blanc de Noirs Rosé 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, mouth-watering rose with ethereal small strawberry notes. Although it's off-dry, the sweetness is barely perceptible with the racy acidity. Perfect for grilled seafood. Drink: 2016 - 2018 163215 11.5% MD 750 mL $20.00 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated Rosé Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

White Wine

Black Hills Estate Winery Black Sage Bench Chardonnay 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Richly layered and concentrated BC Chardonnay with toasted almond and green apple aromas and flavours. Freshly baked bread with melting butter on the finish. Perfect for roasted chicken. Drink: 2015 - 2022 13% XD 750 mL $30.00 Score: 92/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cellar Hand Free Run White, Black Hills 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Clean, crisp and fresh with notes of lemon and white grapefruit. Cellar hands are the winemaker's assistants. This is a white belnd of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink: 2015 - 2018 13.2% D 750 mL Score: 87/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Hills Estate Winery Roussanne 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: A rich, full-bodied, exotic BC white wine made from the Roussanne grape, which is best known coming from southern France's Rhone Valley. Here it finds beautiful expression in the glass, with dark florals and spice. Pair with medium curries. Drink: 2015 - 2019 13.9% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Hester Creek Estate Winery Block 16 Old Vines Trebbiano 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, floral, aromatic BC white wine made from the Trebbiano grape, traditionally from Italy. This grape has been planted in the winery's vineyards since 1968, and today it is still the only estate in the Okanagan Valley to make the wine. Medium-bodied with balanced acidity for seafood. Drink: 2014 - 2018 13.5% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

CedarCreek Estate Winery Chardonnay 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Love the toasted almond and nutty goodness through the rich mid-palate of this BC white wine made from the classic Chardonnay grape. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2015 - 2021 13.9% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Gewurztraminer 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A classic, beautifully balanced BC Gewurztraminer. Medium-bodied with aromatic notes of white florals, daisies, lilies, baking spice and lychee. Subtle and delicious. Just enough acidity for many dishes like Asian fare, mild to medium curries and spices. Gewurztraminer food pairings: seared scallops over a bed of butter leaf lettuce & a cucumber, dill & pink grapefruit vinaigrette. Drink: 2016 - 2020 585745 13% D 750 mL $27.95 Score: 91/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lunessence Pinot Blanc / Oraniensteiner 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada: Peach blossom and orange florals on the nose of this highly aromatic BC white wine blend of Pinot Blanc and Oraniensteiner grapes. Oraniensteiner is a unique German variety developed to produce sparkling wine and it has a naturally high acidity which marries well to the late harvest Pinot Blanc's fruit ripeness and sweetness.The grapes were hand-picked at 23.8 brix. The juice macerated with the skins for two days.Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for 47 days and two months on the lees to add richness and texture. There are 23 grams of residual sugar in this medium sweet white wine. Pair with shellfish and seafood. Drink: 2016 - 2019 315795 12.5% M 750 mL $21.00 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Don David Reserve Torrontés 2016, Cafayate, Salta, Argentina: So lovely and aromatic with great florals on the nose: almost perfumed with peach, honey blossom aromas. This wine has a touch of new oak for complexity. Roses and orange blossom bloom in the mouth, then swell to a crescendo on the finish.Pair with mild to medium curries and spices. Drink: 2016 - 2018 727677 13.7% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Sketches Of Niagara Chardonnay 2013, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A medium- to full-bodied Chardonnay with great balance and elegance. Aromas and flavours of green apple and toasty baked bread. Mouth-watering and juicy. Pair with roast turkey. Chardonnay food pairings: cedar plank salmon, roast chicken with mushroom ragout, pasta with cream sauce. Drink: 2014 - 2018 89037 12.5% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Weingut R&A Pfaffl Cuvée Jupiter Riesling 2016, Alsace, France: Crisp, clean and fresh with lemongrass and lime zest. Medium-bodied. Perfect for shellfish. Drink: 2016 - 2021 475046 12.5% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Tawse Winery Inc. Quarry Road Riesling 2015, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: This organic and biodynamic wine is superb! The vines were grown on a limestone base and the wine shows an incredible mineral depth. Joyous aromas of lime and white peach leap from the glass. Mouth-watering and endlessly delicious. There's a steely heart to this wine that belies the stony character of the soils where the vines grow. and mineral riesling of outstanding character. Lime zest on the finish. Terrific! Riesling food pairings: seafood platter, pan fried white fish, seafood salad, raw oysters, creamy cheeses. Drink: 2015 - 2022 198853 10% MD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 93/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lunessence Sauvignon Blanc Muscat 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A delightfully floral and aromatic BC white wine blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Cannoli grapes, but also Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon. Perfect for seafood dishes. Drink: 2016 - 2018 163207 13% D 750 mL $19.00 Score: 92/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Winemaker’s Cut Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Gorgeous tropical fruit and smoke on the nose of this rich and almost full-bodied BC Sauvignon Blanc. More akin to Californian Savvys than to New Zealand. Pair with rich seafood dishes. Drink: 2017 - 2019 12.5% D 750 mL $19.99 Score: 92/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2014, California, United States: A full-bodied Californian Chardonnay with loads of oak on the nose and palate. Caramel butterscotch mid-palate. Pair with cotton candy. Chardonnay food pairings: roast chicken, corn dishes. Drink: 2014 - 2017 230821 13.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 83/100. June 2017. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Black Hills Estate Winery Alibi Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 2016, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Lots of pleasing tropical fruit notes on the nose. Vibrant acidity and a medium-body on the palate. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2017 - 2019 129114 14.5% D 750 mL $24.90 Score: 89/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: From the Golden Mile Bench, this off-dry BC white wine made from the aromatic and spicy Gewurztraminer grape offers lots of pleasure in the glass. Floral and lovely. Perfect for medium curries and spices. Drink: 2016 - 2019 12.5% M 750 mL Score: 92/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Lunessence Chardonnay 2014, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: This lovely, floral, aromatic BC Chardonnay was aged 70% in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and 30% in Slovakian oak barrels to add richness. Medium-bodied with low alcohol, but lots of flavour. Pair with rich seafood dishes. Drink: 2016 - 2020 11.5% D 750 mL $25.00 Score: 90/100. June 2017. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Quidni Estate Winery Why Not White Quidni Estate Winery 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely, fragrant, floral, off-dry BC white wine blend that's medium-bodied. Perfect as a chilled aperitif or companion to seafood. Drink: 2015 - 2018 13.2% D 750 mL Score: 89/100. June 2017. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart


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