This young winery near British Columbia’s Golden Mile and the Black Sage Bench adopted the Punjab word for “destiny,” and after growing grapes for winemakers throughout the province for 20 years, the family recently began to produce wines from their 200 acres of vines. Their Right Bank-style blend — which leads Merlot (57%), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), Malbec (3%) and … [Read more...] about Kismet Estate Winery 2013 Mantra Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, $30
British Columbia
Blasted Church Vineyard 2013 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $23
One of Canada’s most recognizable brands continues to deliver with this Merlot from its Storytelling Series by winemaker Mark Wendenburg, formerly of Sumac Ridge. Vines surrounding the Corkscrew Trail winery, which overlooks Skaha Lake, blend with Southern Okanagan Valley fruit to build aromas of dark plum, black currant and sweet earth, backed by five spice powder and … [Read more...] about Blasted Church Vineyard 2013 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $23
Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $40
Michael Bartier helped create the following throughout British Columbia for Road 13’s sparkling Chenin Blanc, and this vintage marked the arrival of Jean-Martin Bouchard as Bartier’s successor at the Oliver showpiece winery. Juice from Declava Vineyard spent 27 months on the lees, but it’s far from yeasty as aromas of dusty pear, Granny Smith apple, a twist of lemon and light … [Read more...] about Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $40
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $18
Township 7 doubled production of this white Bordeaux grape from the previous vintage, and former Niagara winemaker Mary McDermott works with a longtime source of its Sauvignon Blanc for T7 — Blue Terrace Vineyards north of Oliver — during her first vintage at this Naramata Bench winery. Floral notes of orange zest, Key lime, pear and apple pie spices lead to a palate of … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $18
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $18
British Columbia vintners Mike and Lori Raffan orchestrate another a number of outdoor events at the T7 tasting rooms on the Okanagan Valley's Naramata Bench and in Langley on the Lower Mainland, and this cheery pink made from Merlot by new winemaker Mary McDermott includes a bit of perfume from Muscat (5%). Its light salmon color would hint at Provence, yet it winks with sweet … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $18