Only 180 cases of this delicious Pinot Noir were made, so check your local private wine stores quickly.
Abundant aromas - black raspberry and cherry, dry earth and spices, savoury herbal notes, coffee liqueur and a hint of beet greens. Nice complexity and structure on the palate with plenty of berry, cocoa and espresso flavours.The finish is powerful but the tannins are supple and it lingers with roasted spice and char flavours.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 7th, 2010

This is an earthy Pinot Noir (more old world than new) that launches with aromas of rhubarb, sous bois (forest floor) and tart red berries with beet greens and roasted coffee beans. It is vey smooth on the entry, similar coffee and tart red fruits cross the palate; it is light-bodied with fine, firm tannins and a long, slightly bitter and warm finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 7th, 2010

This estate Riesling is a fragrant bouquet of meyer lemon, honey, spring blossoms and slate. Nicely weighted and lively on the palate with flavours of green apples, lemon drops and honey. It is off-dry but with nicely balanced acidity and has a sweet, juicy finish.
Lovely.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 26th, 2010

A new label adorns this attractively-priced aromatic blend from De Bortoli's DB Family Selection. Fragrant orangeblossoms and stone fruits, honey and exotic spice aromas reappear on the palate with a lingering spicy finish. Off-dry but very juicy with a mouth-watering finish to cleanse the palate.
This is a tasty, no-brainer patio sipper or pair with spicy fish cakes or Thai noodle salads.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 20th, 2010

The second vintage of this multi-varietal blend of: Ortega, Madeline Angevine, Madeline Sylvaner, Siegerrebe and Reichensteiner is a lovely blushing pink colour. It's a fragrant wine, weaving apricots, citrus and warm pear aromas together with notes of summer flowers and honey. The palate is bright with an appealing dose of sweetness - apricot, pear and citrus flavours reappear in the mouth. The acidity balances the fruit sweetness, it has a lovely weight and a nice crisp finish.
Very tasty and made from certified organic estate grown grapes!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2010

A proprietary blend of white grape varieties, the Conundrum set the stage for these (now more common) eclectic white blends that are not only aromatic but delicious!
I love the acidity in the 2008 vintage too...Aromas of honey, stone and tropical fruits, white raisin and warm spices. The palate is lush and creamy with plenty of ripe fruit, honey and citrus peel flavours. A slick wine with lively acidity and a long spicy finish.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 6th, 2010

A ripe, aromatic wine, this new Mission Hill Viognier offers bright citrus and honeysuckle notes, stone fruit and spice with tropical notes, vanilla and a musky undertone. The palate is spicy too - unctuous and ripe with rich fruit and lime flavours, white pepper and vanilla. Powerfully potent but fresh and zesty too...
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 5th, 2010

A Vin de Pays Pinot with a lot of character. Aromas of ripe black raspberry and sweet spice, a potpourri of cedar chips and crushed violets with just a hint of vanilla flavours. The palate is also sweet and ripe with plenty of juicy raspberry, cigarbox and vanilla. It has lively acidity and a smooth, spiced finish.
Very satisfying and fruit forward.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 2nd, 2010

Positively potent!
Not for the faint of palate this Rhone-style white blend offers up fragrant stone fruit and exotic citrus aromas, orange blossoms and sweet spice with vanilla and just a hint of white pepper. Lush and quite concentrated with flavours that echo its aromas - plenty of spice, lime, honey and orange peel with stone fruit flavours. Nicely weighted on the tongue with mouth-watering acidity.
The alcohol is high (14.5%) as Viognier tend to be so make sure to share your bottle (although you won't want to).
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 30th, 2010

This fresh, crisp Gewurztraminer is a summer staple for many BC patio dwellers. It offers fragrant aromas of rose oil and pink grapefruit with sweet tropical fruit and honey/vanilla notes. Mouth-watering on the palate with bright sweet citrus flavours and a fresh, spicy finish.
A wine that will pair well with pulled pork or mildly spiced dishes.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 30th, 2010

This tasty Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir offers up aromas of sour cherries and rhubarb with fine spice, herbal notes, earth and a whiff of vanilla. It is silky on the palate - flavours of juicy cherries and beets, vanilla and sweet spices, cigarbox and a long mocha finish.
Available in Alberta, price N/A.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 26th, 2010

Once again this abundantly perfumed wine from Hillside arrives in time for your summer sipping enjoyment.
Pretty honey and tangerine aromas, white grape-y notes and lime oil, orchard blossoms and exotic spice. Nicely weighted on the palate - juicy apple peel, citrus and stone fruit flavours with suitably balanced acidity.
Pair with fresh and spicy noodle salads.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 22nd, 2010

A fantastic blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier and a dash of Muscat that screams summer, the 2Bench White offers lovely aromas of ripe peach and apple, vanilla, exotic flowers and tangerine zest with hints of marshmallow and honey. Sweet, juicy orchard fruit and warm spice leads the palate, it has a creamy texture and lively acidity followed by a long zesty finish.
Reccommended pairings; white fish, creamy washed rind cheeses or grilled chicken.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 17th, 2010

The newest vintage of Quails' Gate classic Pinot Noir presents sweet raspberry and rhubarb aromas, beetroot and plenty of spice, a potpourri of dried flowers and cedar chips with just a hint of coffee. The palate offers juicy red fruit, it has good concentration and a smooth texture, the finish is mouth-watering and lingers with toast, spice and cocoa. Pair with warm beet salad, mushroom risotto or pumpkin ravioli.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 16th, 2010

A 500ml bottle of slightly sparkling and aromatic fun!
Lightly frizzante with white grape and orange blossom aromas with zesty lime and pink grapefruit notes. The palate is sweet but has plenty of zippy acidity to clean up. Nice as an aperitif or with a cheese plate.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 16th, 2010

Widely recognized, this Oregon Pinot Noir expresses aromas of sour cherry and peppery spice, cigarbox and undergrowth. Bright on the palate - tart red fruit and forest floor, spice box and cedary flavours linger on the finish. Pair with runny, washed rind cheeses or salmon.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 16th, 2010

This is a truly delicious Pinot Noir from New Zealand's South Island. It offers alluring aromas of black raspberry and crushed violets, star anise and vanilla with a core of coffee and cigarbox. The palate is brimming with sweet silky berries and warm spice, coffee and cocoa. Very nice structure and concentration, the tannins are fine but firm and the finish long.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 15th, 2010

A light-bodied Pinot Noir with peppery spice, mixed summer berry and sweet cherry aromas and a core of forest floor and tobacco. Tart red fruit and pepper spice and tobacco flavours echo its aromas. Nice acidity across the palate and a tight finish
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 15th, 2010

Subtitled the Fats Johnson to pay homage to a man, known as the kindly older neighbor who passed donuts on to children on their way to school, this Pinot presents aromas of sweet cherry and sun warmed raspberries, pretty floral and spicebox tones with an earthy core. The same sweet fruit appears on the palate with cocoa and spice - a juicy Pinot with fine tannins.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 15th, 2010

This made from organic grapes, traditional method Riesling bubbly is always a crowd pleaser. It releases aromas of green apples, spring blossoms and honey, chamomile tea with lemon and toasty, yeasty hints. On the palate it is slightly off-dry with fine bubbles with loads of mouth-watering citrus peel, creamy honey and orchard fruit. The finish is tart and snappy.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 8th, 2010

This food-friendly and fruity wine is made from a blend of Portuguese traditional varieties Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Tinta Barocca with the unique addition of Pinot Noir. It offers plenty of sweet raspberry and blueberry aromas, vanilla and tobacco with a potpourri of dried flowers and cedar chips. It has nice acidity and juicy berry fruit on the palate cola spices and cedar flavours and a slightly angular finish.
Pair this wine with crusty bread and soft cheese or fish in stewed tomato sauces.
Great value for weekday dinners!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 8th, 2010

This B.C red blend has very pleasing high-toned fruit aromas. It offers cherry and berry with a splash of sweet vanilla and licorice and pleasing undertones of earth. The palate is also bright, the fruit is sweet and supple and tastes of red berries, warm spice and cocoa with a hint of tobacco - the finish is smooth. The juiciness of this wine would pair nicely with rich, tomato-based sauces on meat, pasta or roasted veg.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 6th, 2010

A truly delicious Riesling, very light golden in colour with the fragrance of spring blossoms, apples and pomelo citrus with hints of apricots and talc. It is nicely weighted on the palate with plenty of zingy citrus flavours and cheek-sucking acidity. This wine will pair nicely with poached fish or light, creamy sauces.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 4th, 2010

You've seen the bottle before - it is an affordable, pleasant Cava that smells of flowers and talc, crisp apple and pears, citrus and vanilla with a toasty, caramel core. The palate is dry and fresh with toasty flavours wrapped in tart citrus. It has a nicely rounded palate with good mousse and a zesty finish.
Very good value.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 14th, 2010

Another fantastic Chardonnay from Mission Hill, the 2007 "Select Lot Collection" oozes ripe pear and melon aromas, exotic citrus and praline with warm pie crust, baking spice and vanilla. The mouth-feel is rich and creamy showing layers of tropical fruit, warm spice and citrus. Great bones - nice complexity and a long smooth finish rounds out this delicious Chardy.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 13th, 2010

The 2007 is a little bit more restrained than the 2006 Foxtrot, but I would take either vintage and be quite happy. Having reached almost cult status, the Foxtrot Pinot Noir from the Naramata Bench, continues to be sought by collectors and fine restaurants in BC.
It is a solid wine, presenting aromas of cranberry and raspberry, hints of beetroot and sagebrush, forest floor and minerals with fine spice and cigarbox notes. The palate is silky with a fine, powdery texture, fantastic acidity and great length. Fine tannins cling to the finish.
550 cases made, just starting to be released April 2010 - Very good.
*Owner Torsten Allander recommends cellaring for 6 months up to a decade.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 29th, 2010

Don't let its classic blue label fool you, inside is a vibrant, vivace wine that you should consider buying-by-the-case!
Bright tree fruit, mineral and citric aromas lead the way to a fresh, vivace (slightly bubbly or prickly) and crisp mouthful of goodness. Again tree fruits, citrus, hints of herbs mineral, appear on the palate with just a kiss of sweetness balanced by lively acidity and a softly rounded texture.
Great value!
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 27th, 2010

A dusty ruby colour this Vin de Pays Pinot Noir has aromas of saddle leather, red cherries, fine spice and cocoa with composty/forest floor notes. The palate echos its aromas - cherries and leather, cocoa and cigar box flavours with a sprinkling of spice. Nice and juicy, medium-bodied with nice structure and fine firm tannins.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 15th, 2010

This organic BC Pinot Gris is crisp and fresh - aromas of tart green apples, spring blossoms, tropical citrus and creamy pear compote. The palate is dry, crisp and zesty - tart citrus and mineral flavours dominate. A simple, refreshing Pinot Gris that will pair nicely with fish or creamy pasta, chicken or mushroom dishes.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 14th, 2010

Summerhill Pyramid Winery has released a new series of labels featuring the artwork of wildlife painter Robert Bateman. The Cipes Sparkling Rose is one of those new labels and it is made from certified organic Pinot Noir grapes. The wine has a pretty, rosy hue and fragrant aromas of mixed berries - raspberry, blackberry and strawberries in vanilla cream, violets with hints of toast. The palate is juicy and exuberant echoing its aromatics with berry, crisp citrus and toasty flavours. The finish is long and bright, calling out for spicy stir-frys or triple cream cheeses.
©copyright 2010 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - February 3rd, 2010

Dunham Froese is located on the 700 acre Covert Farms land at the base of McIntyre Bluff near Okanagan Falls. They embrace sustainable and organic farming practices and continue to impress BC wine drinkers with their wines.
The 2007 Merlot bucks the trend of the massive, extracted versions I have been tasting recently and aims for a bit more elegance. Expect red fruit, cedar chips, saddle leather and wild herb aromas on the nose with undertones of chocolate. The palate is a bit austere, it's medium-bodied and earthy with good acidity and flavours of red berries, spicebox, forest floor and cocoa.
©copyright 2009 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 4th, 2009