Rustic, earthy, fragrant.
This Tempranillo was grown at 895MASL and spent 12 months in French and American oak.
Expect fragrant roasted cherry and sweet brown spices, licorice and vanilla, roasted coffee and wild brush aromas. The palate is less gregarious than the nose; dark fruits and leather, toasted spice and espresso flavours with distinct savoury undertones. Good balance and structure with a restrained and earthy character.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 25th, 2025

Pretty, fresh, elegant. The da Silva estate is located on the Naramata Bench and is owned by Richard and Twylla da Silva. Da Silva's story begins in 1955 when the family moved from Portugal to the Okanagan Valley--in 1959 they purchased an orchard. Almost 50 years later, in 2006, the family built a winery and today they draw fruit from 11 different vineyards/growers located in: Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos and Penticton.
The winery is also home to The Kitchen at da Silva, where a fusion of Mexican~Portuguese tapas is the theme.
The Pinot Noir comes from vines grown on the Naramata Bench and Penticton West Bench--the Hidden Hollow Vineyard and Lazy Dog Vineyard. It was barrel aged for 18 months in Hungarian oak (50%) and French oak (50%) both medium+ toast.
More delicate than the last vintage I tasted (2019) this 2021 is so pretty; cherry and cranberry, ground star anise and vanilla, cedar chips, forest floor and hits of violet adorn the nose. It is silky and has notable levity and freshness. Balanced, refined and elegant it has powdery tannins on the finish.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 2nd, 2024

Zesty, chic, restrained.
The da Silva estate is located on the Naramata Bench and is owned by Richard and Twylla da Silva. Da Silva's story begins in 1955 when the family moved from Portugal to the Okanagan Valley--in 1959 they purchased an orchard. Almost 50 years later, in 2006, the family built a winery and today they draw fruit from 11 different vineyards/growers located in: Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos and Penticton.
The winery is also home to The Kitchen at da Silva, where a fusion of Mexican~Portuguese tapas is the theme.
The estate Hidden Hollow Vineyard on the Naramata Bench is home to these Chaenin Blanc vines. It's grown on sandy loam soils and saw only stainless steel in production.
It's a restrained Chenin with fresh lemony notes layered with vague peach skin, start fruit, white flowers and wild honey aromas. It's chic and pristine and snappy with nice weight and a long racy finish.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 2nd, 2024

Juicy, silky, charming.
A trendy Loire label, this fragrant Cabernet Franc suggests violets and cherries, wild red berries, cola spices, vanilla and cedar aromas. The palate is an echo of the nose, it's sliky and juicy and charming, A pretty wine, fruity but with subtle savoury undertones, making it far more stylish. I recommend a slight chill before serving.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 26th, 2024

Savoury, silky, classic.
Located above Vaseaux Lake in Okanagan Falls, Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars was established five decades ago.
Their wines have a very classic, honest character and they are stay true to their roots.
The 2022 Gamay (it's been four years since I've tasted this wine) was hand harvested and had an 18 day maceration. It was aged in neutral oak barrels for 12 months then bottled and cellared another six months.
Notes of beet greens and tealeaf are layered with small red berries, earth, fine spices and charred licorice. It's a fresh wine, classic, silky and fresh with savoury undertoness. Stylish and medium-bodied, it has a juicy finish.
Pair: cedar planked salmon, pork tenderloin with berry sauces, grilled chicken, chorizo or soft, washed rind cheeses.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 26th, 2024