Waxy, viscous, ripe. Single varietal Semillion in the Okanagan is a rarity, yet this is one of Michael Bartier’s flagship wines, he's been making it for several years now. Grown on the Black Sage Terrace in Oliver (Bartier's estate) is 100% Sem.
With age comes unity in Semillon and this 2015 is showing that. It was aged 4 months in stainless and the rest in bottle.
Ripe is my first note; stewed peaches, beeswax, applesauce, water chestnuts, lemongrass and tangerine cream aromas lead to a succulent and equally evolved palate. Warm honey, sweaty fruit, lemon oil and herbs with a boozy concentrationa nd notable viscosity. Overall it's balanced and a very special bottle.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 22nd, 2020

Waxy, slick, woven. Single varietal Semillion in the Okanagan is a rarity, yet this is one of Michael Bartier’s flagship wines, he's been making it for several years now. Grown on the Black Sage Terrace in Oliver (Bartier's estate) 2019 has 2% Gewurztraminer blended in.
Straw in colour it shows waxy notes of pomelo and candles, starfruit and yellow apples alongside white pepper and honeycomb. Notable citrus lines the palate with hints of wild herbs, yellow fruit and mineral It has excellent concentration, is weighty and slick on the tongue; the finish is racy.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 14th, 2020

Honey, tangy, woven. Discovering a single varietal Semillion in the Okanagan is a rarity, yet this is one of Michael Bartier’s flagship wines. It is precise and racy as expected, but unlike its counterparts in the Hunter Valley, Australia, this one drinks great upon release.
Aromas of straw flowers, lime, beeswax and pink grapefruit are tightly woven with mineral notes. It has just a kiss of sweetness to pop the fruit on the palate; honeyed and zesty is has excellent concentration and a long lip-smacking finish. A perfect partner for seafood, ramen noodles, or pour alongside fresh summer salads.
*As reviewed in Vines Magazine, summer 2018.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 4th, 2018

Purity, slick, slick. Single varietal Semillion in the Okanagan is a rarity and this one, grown on Bartier's home Cerqueira vineyard on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver is wonderful. Expect aromas of candle wax and pomelo, straw, star fruit, lemon oil and wet stone with vague resinous undertones. It's juicy, slick and dry with lovely purity and precision.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2023

Precis, tangy, tension.
The grapes for this finely carved Semillon come from the Cerqueira vineyard located on the lower Black Sage Bench gravel bar in Oliver.
Lime and grapefruit, crunchy white peach and graphite aromas roll into a fresh and tangy palate that is both concentrated and precise. It has the classic angularity and tension we love in this variety.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 8th, 2018