Wild Goose Vineyards 2008 Gewurztraminer - 89pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2008 Gewurztraminer (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Private wine shops

Price: $19.99 (winery gate), $21.99 (Liberty Wines)

Alcohol: 13.4%

Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Another excellent Gewurztraminer from BC's Okanagan Valley that offers intense aromas and flavours with yummy spice and everything nice.

Sweet apricot, mandarin, granny-smith apples and vanilla aromas dominate the nose while slate mineral notes add a sense of place and maturity to the bouquet. The flavours, mostly, mirror the aroma notes and introduce a crisp acidity which balances nicely with the off-dry palate.

This isn't a wine to buy and hold but rather one to enjoy over the next two years (2010-2012). Pair it with a butter-lettuce salad with dried fruits, goats cheese and a mildly-tangy dressing or sip it solo, it can hold its own.
 - Liam Carrier

Haras de Pirque 2008 Equus Carmenere - 88pts

Haras de Pirque 2008 Equus Carmenere (Maipo Valley) - Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops
Cost: $17-20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Inky-ruby core with a purple rim, this auspicious Carmenere from top Chilean producer Haras de Pirque offers intense flavours and aromas at just under $20 (in Canada).

The nose presents fruity and spicy aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, vanilla and white pepper. The palate offers flavours of dark fruit, pepper, toasted oak, cooking spice and nibs that will please your mouth and culminates in a smooth and lingering finish. Good acidity and tannins will keep this wine improving in your cellar for another 1-2 years and will be enjoyable through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Thornhaven Estates 2008 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Thornhaven Estates 2008 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores

Cost: $17.90

Alcohol: 13.8%

Date Tasted: February 23rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: Lovely floral aromas of jasmine and blossoms with zesty citrus and rhubarb notes await you on the nose of this tasty Pinot Gris from Summerland producer Thornhaven Estates. Off-dry on the palate with tangy citrus acidity and cool minerality make this wine a rather fresh and crisp treat on a hot summer porch or a warm seat in front of a winter fire.

Well made and offered at a good price, this is another excellent Pinot Gris from BC's Okanagan Valley. Pair with roasted turkey and veggies or with a hearty salad with a tangy dressing. Enjoy now through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier

Cono Sur 2009 Viognier - 86pts

Cono Sur 2009 Viognier (Colchagua Valley) - Chile

Availability: Widely available
Cost: $9-11
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: February 10th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Pale gold in colour, this budget Viognier from Chilean producer Cono Sur is sure to please with its friendly, bright nose and cheerful, crisp palate.

Aromas of green apple, candied apricot and wet stone followed by a fruity palate of tropical fruit and cleansing acidity. Not overly complex with a slightly sharp, short finish, but a very easy-drinking white wine, perfect for the anything-but-Chardonnay crowd. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Morandé 2008 Pionero Pinot Noir - 87pts

Morandé 2008 Pionero Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley) - Chile

Availability: Limited
Cost: $10-15
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 9th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Light and fruity, smooth and tasty is how I would describe this excellent, budget Pinot Noir from Chilean producer Morandé. Pale plum in colour with a medium intense nose of raspberries, strawberries, plums and cedar chips with a hint of mineral notes. The medium-bodied palate offers medium-plus tannins and acidity that blend nicely with the red-fruit and savory-spice flavours. A very easy-drinking and enjoyable wine that only lacks concentration of flavour to score higher. An early candidate for 2010 Top Value list.

I wish I had picked-up a case of this wine when the BCLDB was briefly offering it on sale at only $10. They seem to be no longer carrying this wine which is a mistake I hope to see corrected. Search it out in your local store in Canada and the US, you won't be disappointed. Simply, the best Pinot Noir under $15 I have ever tried.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Delas 2007 Saint Esprit - 88pts

Delas 2007 Saint Esprit (Cotes du Rhone) - France

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB Stores

Cost: $17.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: February 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This dark-ruby coloured Cote du Rhone wine offers excellent value at under $20. It is smooth and delicious and chalk full of complex aromas and flavours. 2007 was another great vintage for Delas.

The nose offers hardy aromas of smoke and oak that mingle well with lighter, fruit aromas of dark cherries and red fruits. The medium-plus bodied palate offers both elegant, dark fruits and masculine mineral flavours punctuated with a smooth and balanced finish. This wine is about texture and it delivers. Enjoy on its own or pair with red meat and roasted potatoes. This wine is ready to drink now and with medium-plus acid and high-minus tannins will last through 2015, peaking in 2011.
- Liam Carrier

Chateau des Charmes 2007 Late Harvest Riesling - 88pts

Chateau des Charmes 2007 Late Harvest Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery, LCBO

Cost: $21.95

Alcohol: 10.5%

Date Tasted: February 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Pale straw in appearance, this wonderfully sweet wine from Niagara-On-The-Lake producer Chateau des Charmes makes a lovely desert or cheese course companion without busting your budget. Fruit flavours abound on the palate and nose with mineral notes, while a long finish leaves your mouth pleased and satisfied.

On the nose you will find medium-plus intense aromas of lychee, slate, pear and rubber notes until the wine has a chance to breath. The palate offers charming sweetness with flavours of apricot, lychee, pear and green-apple tartness. Good acidity helps cut the sugar and creates a nice balanced wine. Lacks the complexity and concentration of a high-quality (and high-priced) ice wine, but for the price I prefer this wine. Ready to drink now but will develop further in the bottle over the next 2-3 years.
- Liam Carrier

Nicolas Potel 2006 Cuvée Gerard Potel - 90pts

Nicolas Potel 2006 Cuvée Gerard Potel (Pommard) Burgundy - France

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops

Cost: $27-30

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: February 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This wine offers the consumer a peak at the world of the high-end Burgundy Pinot Noir wines that express the French concept of "Terroir" but for a fraction of the price. Smelling and sipping this wine lets you imagine the very vineyard from which it came, with its earthy aromas and oaky flavours.

The vineyard in question is the "Maison Dieu" site in Pommard which is close to the Premier Cru vineyard of "Clos des Épeneaux" and offers medium-plus intense aromas of barnyard, raspberry, blackberry, forest floor and tobacco. The palate changes in the glass over time unveiling flavours of plum, green pepper, oak and wet stone with just a hint of pepper spice. Medium tannins and acid with a balanced, medium finish.

This wine is tasting young today and needs more time in the bottle. I recommend laying it down for another 2 years before opening. However, if you can't wait, as I couldn't, you'll need to decant for 2+ hours to allow the wine to properly breath.
- Liam Carrier

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca - 87.5pts

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Private wine shops in BC
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Top Fraser Valley producer Blackwood Lane focuses most of its energy on their exquisite "Sommelier Series" wines but also offer two excellent house blends: Vicuña Roja and Vicuña Blanca.

The Vicuña Blaca is a tasty blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer which offer aromas and flavours of grapefruit, apricot and blossoms with good minerality. Crisp, refreshing acidity on the palate with a long, liguring finish makes this a great wine for a sunny, summer afternoon or to pair with spicy food. Ready to drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2007 Summit Reserve Pinot Noir - 87pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2007 Summit Reserve Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery, VQA stores

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: January 15th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Classic Pinot Noir colour of light-garnet on this very pleasing wine from up-and-coming Kelowna producer Mt. Boucherie. Medium intense aromas of ripe raspberries, dark cherries, plums and red licorice with a hint of finely ground white pepper on the nose.

The medium-minus bodied palate offers smooth, light tannins with flavours of red fruits, subtle oak and a touch of spice. Good acidity and mouth feel with a balanced, medium-plus finish.

This is the best BC Pinot Noir at this price point that I have yet to taste. I am certainly looking forward to future vintages. Drink now through 2011.
 - Liam Carrier
SPC: 624437

Cono Sur 2008 Vision Pinot Noir - 84pts

Cono Sur 2008 Vision Pinot Noir (Valle de Colchagua) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $17.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: January 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This medium-ruby coloured wines has a lovely, inviting nose that opens up to reveal aromas of nibs, red berries and vanilla when allowed to breath with proper decanting. However, the lovely nose is followed by a muted palate of raspberries, vanilla and a touch of smoky-oak.

There are layers here worth exploring, but the wine makes it difficult. Given the price hike for the "Vision" series compared to Cono Sur's standard Pinot Noir, give this one a pass. - LC

The Little Penguin 2007 Chardonnay-Riesling - 83pts

The Little Penguin 2007 Chardonnay-Riesling (Southern Australia) Australia

Available: Widely available

Cost: $8.99

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: January 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This pale-gold, mass-produced Australian wine is a nice, surprising and tasty Chardonnay and Riesling blend. For those of you weary of a warm-climate Riesling, fear not. This blend is predominately Chardonnay on the palate with the Riesling aromatic aromas of blossoms, ripe pears and tropical fruit showing-up on the nose.

The palate offers straight-forward Chardonnay flavours of orchard fruit and butter with good acidity and a slightly oaky, short finish. All in all it's a decent wine for the price and better than expected. Not complex, simple even, but certainly enjoyable with food or as a refreshing drink on a hot day. Drink now. - LC