Teresa Wiseman and her winemaking husband Russell carry on the legacy of Crescent Hill Winery in Penticton, British Columbia as a tribute to her late father, Glennallyn, who used Gewürztraminer to establish this family vineyard in 1980 near Skaha Lake. Lychee, spice and grapefruit play across its nose, popping up again and backed by surprisingly bright acidity on the palate … [Read more...] about Crescent Hill Winery 2017 Glennallyn Private Reserve Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, $21
British Columbia
La Frenz Winery 2018 Wits End Vineyard Estate Viognier, Naramata Bench, $24
Founder/co-owner Jeff Martin and winemaker Dominic McCosker, a fellow Aussie, pulled from vines on the Naramata Bench near Penticton, British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley one of the Pacific Northwest's top examples of Viognier. None of it saw oak, but 7% of the juice spent time in a concrete egg. The result was a wine with aromas of lime, pineapple and orange. On the palate, … [Read more...] about La Frenz Winery 2018 Wits End Vineyard Estate Viognier, Naramata Bench, $24
Vanessa Vineyard 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Similkameen Valley, $80
One of Canada's most exciting young brands is the product of a visionary planting in the emerging Silmilkameen Valley, a few minutes northwest of Oroville, Wash. The 75-acre vineyard immediately attracted the attention of Howard Soon in 2006, who began to make Vanessa Vineyard a part of Sandhill Wines' single-vineyard tier. Upon retirement from Sandhill, he began making wine … [Read more...] about Vanessa Vineyard 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Similkameen Valley, $80
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2017 Blue Terrace Vineyard Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $27
Andrew Peller alum Mary McDermott's remarkably expressive work with Sauvignon Blanc begins in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia at Blue Terrace Vineyard near the town of Oliver. She made this pick at 22 Brix on Sept. 22. (Harvest for the two lots for her regular Sauvignon Blanc program came a week before and a week later.) For this reserve, she managed seven … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2017 Blue Terrace Vineyard Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $27
Vanessa Vineyard 2014 Meritage, Similkameen Valley, $40
One of the most fascinating young vineyards in the Pacific Northwest continues to mature in the Similkameen Valley, 20 miles northwest of Oroville, Wash. In the hands of British Columbia visionary Howard Soon, this Cabernet Franc-leaning blend with Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Merlot (28%) stays true to the lead grape with dusty herbs running from start to finish. In between … [Read more...] about Vanessa Vineyard 2014 Meritage, Similkameen Valley, $40