Sandhill 2008 Small Lots Program Three - 88pts

Sandhill 2008 Small Lots Program Three (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. 2009 vintage now available here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 7 barrels
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A unique blend of 43% Sangiovese, 29% Barbera, Merlot 14% and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Sandhill offering reminds me of a cross between a Washington State Super Tuscan and a British Columbia Carmenere. Plenty of tomato stock and black pepper notes mixed in with the red fruits and plum flavours and aromas. Finishes a bit tannic and acidic after a more cheerful start of warm, spicy plum flavours on the dry, medium+ bodied, ever-so-slightly under ripe palate.

Tastes like nothing else being made in BC presently. Whether that's a good thing or not is open for debate. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Sandhill 2009 Small Lots Program Block 11 Chardonnay - 91pts

Sandhill 2009 Small Lots Program Block 11 Chardonnay (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. 2010 vintage now available here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 190 cases
Date Tasted: May 23rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Born from the hot 2009 vintage and sourced from the Southern Okanagan where Chardonnay can become fat and one-dimensional, the Sandhill "Block 11" Chardonnay remains graceful in its delivery of ripe Orchard fruit with generous acid grounding the fullness on the palate. Peaches and cream with a touch of buttered popcorn and light oak flavours aplenty, yet the texture never feels heavy and offers a lively mouth feel with good complexity and balance. The finish is long and intense with satisfying tartness lingering amongst tropical fruit notes. A quality Chardonnay to be savoured slowly, on its own. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Program Viognier - 88pts

Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Program Viognier (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 658 cases
Date Tasted: August 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Leaner and crisper than its 2009 predecessor, losing a degree of richness in the overall balance in the process, yet still retaining the lush tropical fruit and fuzzy peach candy characters that make it one of the most consistent Viogniers in BC year-in, year-out. Good concentration on the fruity nose and mineral-filled, dry palate. The finish is very long with lingering orchard fruit and mineral flavours. Enjoy this vintage in its youth. Drink 2011-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Sandhill 2009 Small Lots Program Viognier - 88-89pts

Sandhill 2009 Small Lots Program Viognier (Southern Okanagan) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. Select VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 615 cases
Date Tasted: November 11th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Pouring a glass of Sandhill's excellent Small Lot Program Viognier you'd swear it was heavily oaked and aged. Neither is correct. This 2009 vintage (an admirable follow-up to the outstanding and award-winning 2008 release) has seen no oak and was released in April. The apple juice-like, amber-gold colour and touch of oaky tannin richness likely comes from the whole-cluster pressing used during the crush.

When served chilled, but not cold, the intense aromas of apricots, pear, peaches, cardamom and tropical fruit will come alive in the glass. The equally intense, off-dry and full-bodied palate follows with good continuity of flavours and good pineapple tartness. At 14.9% alcohol, a reflection of the heat from the 2009 summer, the wine's balance tips towards too hot, but only a bit as the intensity and the smoky texture of the palate masks the alcohol, mostly.

Pair with roasted mushroom and smoked bacon creamy pasta. Drinking beautifully now or hold for further development. Drink 2010-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Sandhill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah - 90-91pts

Sandhill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA Stores

Cost: $29.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: January 28th, 2010

Tasting Notes: From Kelowna producer Sandhill's small lots program comes this fantastic and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah blend (69% and 31% respectively). The intense nose of this inky-ruby coloured wine starts with Cabernet-cassis and finishes with Syrah-spice aromas with notes of smoky-oak . With 20 months of aging in American and French oak, the warm, full-bodied palate offers concentrated flavours of dark berries, vanilla and pepper with a long, balanced finish and excellent mouth feel.

This is a wine that can be enjoyed on its own but would pair nicely with either a savory, slightly sweet steak or with a desert course of peppered dark chocolate. Excellent tannin structure and good acidity will allow this wine to improve over the next two years, peaking in 2012. Enjoy now through 2016.
 - Liam Carrier
http://www.sandhillwines.ca/