These are the best wines that found their way into our home in 2023. We consider then to be the best of the best!
Festina Lente Vinmum Regum Reserve
The small family run winery in Langley Township, British Columbia stoled the show. The Winemaker and co-owner is Bill Townsley. An Extraordinary mead, 3 months in first-run Kentucky Bourbon barrels. 100% honey as a fermentable sugar. Aged 1 year before release Lifespan: 50 years Closure: Nomacorc Envirocorc (compressed sugar cane). Its a sweeter wine busting with flavour with a lovely honey finish , phenomenal. 99
Nagging Doubt -2021 Sallow Road Vineyard off dry Siegerrebe -
We never expect such a fine wine from a very small, new , Kelowna winery. Rob Westbury is the owner winemaker. This is an amazing wine. Not may people do a Siegerrebe. This one is perfection in a bottle. The wine is intensely aromatic – an extremely complex profile of flowers, lychee, tangerine, spice, and citrus can be detected. But that extra bit of sugar has allowed the wine to undergo a second fermentation in bottle, which means it has a sparkly effervescence. Note this wine was not subsequently filtered so will throw some sediment. Best Siegerrebe in years!! 98
Church & State 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a really good wine. It starts an intoxicating aroma of Black Cherry. The flavour follows through providing hints of blackcurrant and plum.. The finish is smooth Nice balance.. 96
Wild Goose 2021 Pinot Gris
A classic. with its lively zesty flavours. It represents what a true Pinot Gris can be. Flavours include Honeydew, lemon, and grapefruit.
The wine begs you to say more please. 96
Vineland Estate Cabernet Merlot Reserve 2016
It is a dry combination of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.5% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot Lovely favour of Bing cherry and blueberry. Each sip brings out a different rush of favour 95
50th Parallel Riesling 2021
Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel have created a world-class wine destination only 15 minutes from the Kelowna. Winemaker Matthew Fortuna has been with 50th Parallel since 2013 . Their Riesling is a perfect wine for those hot summer days. Featuring flavours of Peach and citrus fruits. A bolt of summer sweetness! 95
Kristy French
The View Gewurztraminer 2022
Year after year this family winery continues to produce top quality. Their Gewurztraminer is among the very best. The winemaker is Kristy French ,Wonderful fruits from the tropics A lovely pear finish 95
The View Black Rhino 2020
Under the guidance of president Jennifer Turton- Molgat The view has established itself among the best! The Black Rhino is very good Pinotage offering excellent notes of dark cherry Hints of spice. A smooth finish 95
Castoro de Oro 2020 Merlot
This small winery on the Golden mile in Oliver will surprise you with their "fine" selection of wines . Bruno Kelle is the winemaker. An excellent merlot displaying notes of plum,boysenberry,cherry and hints of raspberry. Barbara was impressed! 95
Chaberton Bacchus 2022
The Fraser Valley's oldest and most distinguished winery. A very fine wine reflecting what a true Bacchus Can be! The wine features flavours of lime, ripe peach and fresh pear 95
Chaberton Madeline Syvaner 2021
Chaberton's Madeline Syvaner 2021 is an very fine wine. It starts with the aroma of fresh lychee followed by flavours of citrus fruit and green apples. Its smooth with a delightful finish; saying more please. The grapes are estate grown. A small percentage of the wine was aged in new French oak for 4 months to accentuate the creamy and vanilla flavours, while keeping the fruit and floral notes from the remainder. 95
Forbidden Fruit Organic 2021 Pearsasion
Forbidden Fruit Winery is a family owned and operated certified organic boutique winery located on Ven’Amour Organic Farms, Owners Steve Venables, Kim Brind’Amour and their son, Nathan, initially added grape wines to their portfolio to satisfy the consumers who had ventured all the way to this secluded winery and found just fruit wines. The wine is a wonderful Pear wine bursting with Flavours Made from the Shinski and Asian Pears. Their are hints of Vanilla ,lemon grass and Lychee 95
Lynzee Schatz
McWatters 2018 Chardonnay
The time family of wineries has taken the Okanagan by storm. Lynzee Schatz is the winemaker. You will be hard press to find a better chardonnay. Lovely fruit flavours extremely smooth 95
Intrigue Wines - I Do
A most favourable frizzante style wine. Featuring strawberry, raspberries and hints of honey. Also notes of peach. A blend of Riesling and Gewurztraminer Merlot,Ehrenfelser and Malbec. The winemaker is Roger Wong.94
NightHawk 2018 Cabernet Franc
Nighthawk Vineyards is the passion of two families…Daniel & Christy Bibby, David & Melanie Flotten. The winemaker is Dakota Bibby. The wine - Oh Chocolate. The aroma is all about chocolate. Followed by black current and vanilla. 94
Ve Oh Lay Acres Appeachiation 2022
Okanagan's newest meadery. Maddison Vioet , daughter of the founders of Domaine Chaberton is the winemaker. The mead its refreshing Its light its delicious A blend of honey and peaches 94
Ex Nihilo Riesling 2021
Outstanding from the Okanagan Lake Country. The winemaker is Jim Faulkner. assisted by Jory Lumley. The aroma is bright and fresh dominated by Lemon. On the pallet Honey suckle and Apple. 94
SpearHead Pinot Gris 2022
No wonder they were named best preforming small winery at the Nationals. Grant Stanley is the winemaker. The wine is so nice and refresh notes of pear,peach and marinade. Followed by hints of honeydew and melon 94
Ward's Original
Ward" cider is part of the View winery, under winemaker Kristy French. A hard Apple cider. thats refreshing, bright and delicious. The traditional recipe has been passed down for five generations. The cider is crafted from the perfect blend of apple varieties grown in Ward's old growth orchard. Notes of Pear and melon. 94
Jost Vineyards L’Acadie Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Happy to have had the opportunity to enjoy a Nova Scotia wine. Gina Haverstock is an amazing winemaker. The wine is fresh and smooth. Lovely flavours peach, honeysuckle, McIntosh apple, anjou pear, , gooseberry, lemon, lime and ripe gooseberries. 94
Nostalgia Wines Kerner 2021
Located on the Black Sage Bench. The winery is owned by Gina Fernandes Harfman. She is also the winemaker. A perfect wine for those hot summer days. Refreshing citrus flavours hints of honey and pear 94
Benjamin Bridge 2018 Brute Rose
On the nose, a rich bouquet of blood orange, toast, soil tones and rose petals, seamlessly supported strawberry notes distinctly coming from the Pinot Noir. The winemaker is Jean-Benoit Deslauriers 93
Meadow Vista Mabon
Mabon is a metheglin style mead made by fermenting BC honey with spices. I feel the cinnamon and nutmeg along with the honey. Yum The winemaker is Electra Logan c0-owner 93
Ex Nihilo Pinot Noir 2021
A very good wine from the Okanagan Lake Country. The winemaker is Jim Faulkner. It starts with a nice aroma. Featuring black cherry, hints of carmal and cola. 93
