Taster’s Choice: Spring wine reviews

Showcasing a varied selection of great tasting wines for wining and dining, the five star rating system stresses value for price.

Bartier-Bros-black-sage-bench-semillionsee-ya-later-ranch-late-harvestBartier Bros
2012 Semillon Cerqueira Vineyard
Black Sage Bench, Okanagan Valley
StarStarStarStar $19.90

Intriguing Semillon offers rich, ripe fruit embellished by honey, spice and citrus complexity. Superbly-balanced palate evokes nuances of pineapple, melon, apricot, chili, beeswax and lemon/lime peel, Partners creamy pasta, fish, chicken and pork dishes.

See Ya Later Ranch
2011 Hunny Late Harvest Riesling
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley
StarStarStarStar $22.99

Made from over-ripe Riesling grapes, this naturally-sweet “pudding” wine suggests flavours of poached pear, sweetened grapefruit and toffee apple, the richness balanced by a note of lemon peel. Best bet for strawberry rhubarb pie served with vanilla ice cream. 

lang-canadian-maple-wineLang Vineyards
NV Canadian Maple Wine
Naramata, Okanagan Valley
StarStarStarStar 
$19.99

Made by spiking a Pinot Noir base with 100% Canadian maple syrup, this popular flavoured wine strikes me as a lighter, unfortified version of a Ruby Port. Rich, round palate hints prune, raisin and nuts. Try it drizzled over pancakes or vanilla ice cream.

 

 

 

 

chocolate-box-shiraztwo-oceans-sauvignonRocland
2012 Chocolate Box Shiraz
Barossa Valley, South Australia
StarStarStarStar 
$24.99

Dark chocolate is one of the flavours that characterize South Australia Shiraz. This big, bold example oozes meaty blackcurrant, mushroom, licorice, cocoa, black pepper, smoky oak, vanilla, backed by ripe tannins. Takes peppercorn steak, cassoulet, Kashmiri lamb.

Two Oceans
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Extra Dry Sparkling Wine
Western Cape, South Africa
StarStarStar 
1/2 $13.99

Thirst-quenching bubbly delivers crisp, clean taste and easy elegance. Gently effervescent palate hints passion fruit, litchis, lemon zest and chili pepper. So versatile, it is lovely for sipping at a garden party or as a TGIF wine with finger foods.

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