Thanks to Canada’s warmest growing region — the Black Sage Bench — one of British Columbia's largest and oldest wineries was able to hang on until Oct. 22 before pulling in her Merlot at 24.7 Brix toward the end of this cool vintage in the Pacific Northwest. It first spent 1 1/2 in French oak then bottle aged for another 18 months, and the influence of Cabernet Franc (12%) … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Oldfield Series Estate Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $28
British Columbia
JoieFarm 2013 The Pure Grape Muscat, Okanagan Valley, $23
Michael Dinn and Heidi Noble enjoyed their exploration of Moscato in Italy so much that they planted 2 acres of Moscato Giallo, aka Yellow Muscat, in their vineyard on the Naramata Bench near Penticton, British Columbia. Their 2012 vintage included Muscat Canelli, and while there’s no sign of it here, the results continue to be fantastically tropical with lychee, honeysuckle, … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2013 The Pure Grape Muscat, Okanagan Valley, $23
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, $18
Bay Area native Sandra Oldfield and the folks at this winery in Oliver, British Columbia, are celebrating their 20th anniversary of winemaking along the Golden Mile, and their production of Pinot Gris is among the largest in Canada. While it’s unoaked, 30 percent went through malolactic fermentation and stirred on the lees for two months. That sets the stage for aromas and … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, $18
JoieFarm 2012 Gamay, Okanagan Valley, $24
In her previous life, Heidi Noble showcased her culinary skills in the kitchens of some of Canada’s top restaurants before she moved to Vancouver and became a sommelier. She continues to keep food applications in the back of her mind while working in the cellar with her wines. This Gamay, farmed from nearby Deep Roots Vineyard on the Naramata Bench, takes on a dark, stormy and … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2012 Gamay, Okanagan Valley, $24
Recline Ridge Winery 2011 Maréchal Foch, British Columbia, $20
Before the government-sponsored pullout after the NAFTA, much of the British Columbia wine industry was built upon winter-hardy hybrids such as this tribute to the French war hero Ferdinand Foch. This winery near Shuswap Lake north of Kelowna has a tradition of excelling with wines from the aging vines, and this vintage hints at Syrah more than Pinot Noir with its gamy nose of … [Read more...] about Recline Ridge Winery 2011 Maréchal Foch, British Columbia, $20