Top Drops of the Okanagan

Here are our top wine picks of the year.

50th Parallel Estate Winery 2020 Pinot Noir $42

This is an excellent example of the Okanagan’s ability to produce first class wines that can compete on the world stage in this competitive category. The wine is both savoury and fruity with a solid backbone of tannin needed for extended aging. Dried cherries, raspberries, herbal notes, anise and black tea are evident in the bouquet. On the palate the wine is silky with well-structured body and an extended finish.

Bench 1775 Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc $39

Bell pepper, black cherry, chocolate savoury notes with some lifted freshness on the palate. Dusty chocolate, spice, cherry flavours, hints of sage and roasted peppers.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon $43

Plum, cassis, bell pepper, herbs, coffee bean, cocoa and toasty aromas. Features a core of dark fruit flavours with pepper, sage and menthol accents. Big mouthfeel and fairly chewy tannins.

CedarCreek Estate Winery 2021 Platinum South Kelowna Slopes Pinot Noir $65

Dark cherry, raspberry, plum, smoke, cedar, chocolate, savoury spice, herbal and earthy. Has a fresh, juicy, silky mouthfeel and moderate tannin. Would be a killer combo with slow roasted duck legs. Organically grown.

Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2021 Pinot Noir $29

Cedar, forest floor, earthy, sour cherry, strawberry, chocolate, tobacco and pepper spice. Nice fruit character, earthy and elegant, fresh and bright.

Howling Bluff Estate Winery 2021 Cronie Family Pinot Noir $34

Ruby red fruit of currants, cherry and strawberry with hints of spice and herbal notes. Bright red currant and cherry flavours, menthol, earth and spicy accents. Clean finish with some moderate tannin.

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2019 Berg Pinotage $41

Savoury notes with spice, licorice, currants, sour cherry and raspberries are predominant in the bouquet with medium weight on the palate, red berry flavours, a bit of spice and savoury accents. There’s a touch of menthol on the finish.

Liquidity Wines 2020 Reserve Pinot Noir $60 

Strawberry, chocolate, mint, earth, plum, pepper with some refined oak translating onto a luscious palate of leather, mocha, red fruits and butterscotch. Moderate tannins.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery 2018 Oculus $185

A big mouthfiller with very spicy, meaty, earthy characteristics of pepper, mint, leather, blackberry, coffee bean and vanilla. Luscious and weighty with a substantial tannic kick it delivers huge black fruit flavours, coffee, leather, pepper, herbal and black olive. An investment purchase.

Moon Curser Vineyards 2022 Viognier $26

Orange blossoms, nectarine, lemon oil, tropical fruit and honeyed aromas with hints of flecked ginger. Ripe tropical fruit and nectarine flavours – juicy fruit with great balanced freshness on the finish. Yummy.

Peak Cellars 2020 Glacial Till Pinot Gris $35

Elegant Gris showing decent weight on the palate. Features grapefruit, 

pear, golden apple, white peach and slightly buttery texture. Nice and dry on the entry with flavours of apple, citrus rind, pear and a fresh finish.

Phantom Creek Estates 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon $48

Plum, cherry, cassis, cocoa, mint, pepper, toast and cedar aromas. Cherry, blackberry, toast, hazelnut, mocha, herbaceous and coffee bean flavours. Moderate tannins with some bite on the finish and a good hit of spice.

Poplar Grove Winery 2018 Syrah $39 

Blackberries, black cherry, blueberry, violets, cocoa, tobacco leaf and gamey notes in the dense nose. Chewy black fruit and earthy flavours with hints of licorice and spice.

Serendipity Winery 2015 Sparkling Truth $50

Delightful effervescence and a clean nose of green apple, lime, mineral and just a touch of yeast. Dances on your tongue and delivers tree-fruit freshness, apple skin, lime zest, mineral and a snappy finish. 

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Brut Rosé $42      

Dry, crisp and delightfully effervescent. Loaded with strawberry, apple, apricot and orange and cream character       with a touch of toast. Delicious and festive. 

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2020 Merlot $31

Blackberry, anise, vanilla, herbal notes and dark chocolate accented pepper on the nose. Dark rich fruit, herbs,         cocoa and black licorice flavours. Think of pairing this with braised lamb and herbed au jus.

vinAmité Cellars 2020 Petit Claret $36

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it features bright red fruit aromas, violets, licorice, menthol and spice.  Soft red berry fruit flavours, mocha, mint and spice, round mouthfeel with a smooth finish.

Wesbert Winery 2020 Gamay $33

Spicy and racy with sour cherry, chocolate, nutmeg, earthy peppery notes and a hint of smoke. Bright red fruit  flavours of cranberry,  pomegranate and Bing cherries,  dried herbs and spices.

Wild Goose Winery 2020 Red Horizon $32

A complex blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, featuring aromas with pepper, cedar box, earth, herbal, vanilla, coffee bean and tobacco. Rich smoky flavours of charred meat, coffee bean, meaty, herbal and deep black fruit.

GTDO
Author: GTDO

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