Sandra Oldfield made Cabernet Franc a focus soon after she landed in British Columbia after growing up in the Bay Area and graduating from University of California-Davis. She can look down from her winery on the Golden Mile Bench and across the valley to the Black Sage Bench and their Diamondback Vineyard, the home for her traditionally graceful Cab Franc. In fact, this is … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, $32
British Columbia
Stag’s Hollow Winery 2015 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, $26
One of British Columbia’s most adventuresome and talented wineries continues to help pioneer work in the Okanagan Valley with varieties that could have been viewed as folly a decade ago. Winemaker Dwight Sick and grower/owner Larry Gerelus team up for this racy, vibrant and succulent Dolcetto that’s ripe without approaching sweetness. The Okanagan Falls project started in … [Read more...] about Stag’s Hollow Winery 2015 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, $26
Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Westside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55
Naramata Bench sparkling wine producer Jay Drysdale used Chardonnay from Secrest Mountain Vineyards on the west bench north of Oliver, British Columbia, for the other half of his small-lot reserve project. The fruit from near McIntyre Bluff allows for classic aromas of light toast, brioche, Gala apple and dried pear. On the palate, the foam is nicely balanced with apricot and … [Read more...] about Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Westside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55
Tightrope Winery 2014 Vertigo Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, $40
Naramata Bench winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke produces brilliant whites and bright reds that earn high marks in U.S. competition, and this latest version of her proprietary blend with a focus on Merlot (58%), Barbera (27%) and Cabernet Franc. All three varieties are grown on their vineyard near Fleet Road, this carries the boldest profile in her portfolio, opening with aromas of … [Read more...] about Tightrope Winery 2014 Vertigo Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, $40
Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Eastside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55
As part of his second commercial vintage, Naramata Bench sparkling wine producer Jay Drysdale produced 50-case, single-vineyard reserve sparkling Chardonnay lots from two blocks near Oliver, British Columbia - not far from the border crossing at Oroville, Wash. Each lot was developed for a delayed release, and Drysdale chose to debut half of each bottling during 2016. (The … [Read more...] about Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Eastside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55