Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2009 Ehrenfelser - 88pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2009 Ehrenfelser (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Winery direct and select VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Ehrenfelser is a cross of Riesling and Sylvaner and performs very well in the cooler parts of the Okanagan Valley. So well, in fact, that I'm surprised we don't see more of it. Cedar Creek's is the best of the bunch year-in, year-out. Perhaps due to the way they meticulously manage the vineyard or perhaps the vineyard site itself. Whatever the case, it's a fantastic wine, perfect for hot summer days and which easily sells out each year. My tip for the next vintage is to go into your local VQA store and ask for it at the counter rather than search the shelves. It sells so fast that some stores don't bother to stock it out front.

If you do get your hands on some you'll get a lovely aromatic wine with perfume, cooking spice, citrus and mineral aromas on the intense nose. The ever-so-slightly off-dry palate offers refreshing acidity and good continuity of flavours from the nose. Excellent balance with a long-ish finish. Drink this wine in its youth. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir - 90pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Direct from winery. BCLDB stores
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 1372 cases
Date Tasted: August 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The oak treatment (15 months in French oak) is prominent on the nose and palate of this extremely smooth Pinot Noir. The oak acts to frame the concentrated dark cherry and raspberry flavours and aromas creating an expression of bright fruit with smooth, rounded edges. A long finish of lingering oak spice completes the experience.

With four years of aging already, the wine is showing beautifully now and is ready to drink. Good tannin structure and acidity will keep it fresh for another few years. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Merlot - 91+pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Merlot (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Select VQA and BCLDB stores.

Cost: $30

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: May 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This Platinum Reserve Merlot from Cedar Creek Estate Winery barely shows any aging in its inky-ruby colour. The fine tannins and good acidity on the palate concur that this wine, at four years of age, has yet to peak. An exciting prospect for a top-quality Merlot that is currently on sale (a third off its original $39 price). Buy a couple now to open one and age another.

Enjoyed now, your nose and palate will be invigorated by the intense aromas and flavours of black fruit, mocha-chocolate, vanilla-spice and red berries. This is a bold New World wine through and through and makes no apologies for it. Far from a bland Merlot, it offers good complexity of flavour and excellent concentration. Drink now through 2015 with continued development through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Estate Select Syrah - 89pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Estate Select Syrah (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores. Private wine shops.

Cost: $26.90

Alcohol: 14.2%

Date Tasted: March 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A lively and bright, New World fruit-foward Syrah from top Kelowna-based producer Cedar Creek Estate Winery. Intense, developing aromas of cherry nibs, smoky oak, raspberry and a touch of white pepper. On the palate the nibs and oak carry through with added flavours of pencil shavings and vanilla with a long, lingering finish of spice. High-ish acid and tannins add to a vibrant yet smooth mouth feel that is big on fruit but far from jammy.

Peaking nicely now with legs to last another 2-3 years, this is a tasty treat that stands on its own or pairs nicely with roasted or grilled meats. Drink 2006 - 2013.
 - Liam Carrier

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2007 Platinum Chardonnay - 90pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2007 Platinum Chardonnay (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Select BCLDB stores, Direct from winery (limited)

Cost: $30

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: March10th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This refined and smooth premium Chardonnay from Cedar Creek Estate Winery is aged in French oak (67% new) for 11 months which shows on both the nose and palate with pleasant, integrated scents of toasted oak and butter. The nose also offers medium intense aromas of melons, lemons, bosc pears, papaya and good minerality.

The fuller bodied palate has classic Chardonnay flavours of pears, apples with the acidity of roasted lemons. The quality of this wine shows, most prominently, in the smooth and balanced long finish which suggests a terroir of cool breezes and well-drained soil. This is an excellent Chardonnay that can be enjoyed on its own and pairs nicely with Lobster Risotto and Amalfi Salad. Drink now through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier
Currently on sale at the winery and at BCLDB stores.

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2007 Chardonnay - 87pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2007 Chardonnay (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores, VQA stores

Cost: $17

Alcohol: 13.8%

Date Tasted: January 9th, 2010

Tasting Notes: I was happily surprised by this tasty Chardonnay from Kelowna producer Cedar Creek Estate Winery. I enjoyed the intense nose which was full of orchard fruits, vanilla and oak aromas. The palate offered good fruit concentration with creamy butter, citrus and melon flavours.

The "Estate Select" series is Cedar Creek's entry-level wines, but there really was nothing low-end about this Chardonnay. It doesn't show the complexity or individuality that a top single-vineyard or reserve Chardonnay can offer when done right but it is a solid wine for the price. Look for the 2008 vintage to be available soon. Drink 2010-2011. - LC

Cedar Creek 2006 Estate Select Pinot Noir - 88pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Estate Select Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BC liquor stores and VQA stores

Cost: $26.90 (BC liquor stores)

Date Tasted: September 26th, 2009

Tasting Notes: Cedar Creek are in the process of streamlining their brands and will be removing the middle-tier Estate Select wines. This has lead to a substantial price reduction on the Estate Select Merlot, Meritage, Syrah and Pinot Noir while supplies last.

The Pinot Noir is a solid sipper that can be enjoyed on its own or with the usual Pinot Noir pairings of light game and BC salmon. Or you can pair it, as I did, with disc one of the seventh season of "24". A fine, if not unusual pairing.

On the nose this dark garnet wine offers developing aromas of leather, mint and pencil shavings. On the palate you will get flavours of cassis, toasty oak and cardamon notes finishing with well constructed tannins and good acidity. A lovely and pleasing long finish. A good value at $27. - LC