November 2 2006

Cover Story (Retro Wines)
BC Wine Reviews (Four Pinots)
International Sips (An affordable selection from around the world)
Taste Bites (Cheese & crackers that bite, New restaurant-Connor Butler)
Wine Diva-isms (What I know for sure)

BC Wine Reviews-4 Pinots


Red
Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan BC, 2005-
Wine Diva's wine of the month for November. This Pinot is widely available and the price is more than palatable too! This is a delicious wine full of  juicy red cherry and raspberry jam, fresh earth, pepper and leathery hints. Mouthwatering sweet red fruit and cedar wood, fresh acidity and good depth, easy drinking, bright and clean with a long spiced tobacco finish.
Wine Diva tasted-October 29 2006
$16.99 BC (+618314) UPC #00048162005563

White
Saturna Island Pinot Gris, Saturna Island BC 2005- When the price is right, the price is right! Creamy and smooth the newest vintage of Saturna's Pinot Gris is a pleasing addition to the under $14 offerings in the BC wine section. Nicely spiced with grapefruit, fresh chalky minerality, citrus and a hint of white blossoms. Crisp and refreshing with a surprisingly long finish.
$13.95 BC (+235077) UPC #00626990053873
Wine Diva tasted-September 21 2006

White
Van Westen Vivacious, Naramata BC, 2005-
I took this bottle with me to a wine gal lunch (or as a friend says an EL-Executive Lunch). The response was immediate-what's that, where is it from? The bottle is certainly eye-catching and that's half of the marketing battle these days.
This is the second vintage for Van Westen although the Van Westen's have been growing fruit on the Naramata Bench for over 50 years.
Primarily Pinot Blanc with 4% Pinot Gris this wine is fresh with ripe orchard fruit, mineral aromas and juicy citrus with just a hint of smoky spices. Lovely structure and weight with good balance between the sweetness of the orchard fruit and the sourness of citrus. Crisp with a long clean finish. Well done!
$17.90 BC Private wine stores (only 175 cases)
Wine Diva tasted-October 27 2006

Red
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir, Okanagan BC, 2004- Sweet red and sour cherries, barnyard aromas with dark earth and leather. Bold dried fruit and chocolate on the palate, smooth textured on the tongue with solid  tannins and  a vanilla-nut finish.
$19.99 BC (+989665) Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-September 21 2006

Go To Next Section

November 2 2006

Cover Story (Retro Wines)
BC Wine Reviews (Four Pinots)
International Sips (An affordable selection from around the world)
Taste Bites (Cheese & crackers that bite, New restaurant-Connor Butler)
Wine Diva-isms (What I know for sure)