Made from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Franc from Black Sage Bench (near Oliver in the Okanagan Valley) in Fort Beren's Lillooet winery.
This is an impressive vintage for Fort Beren's Meritage - expect a plush and aromatic red of black cherry, sweet ripe currents, spice cake and vanilla. There are chalky tannins across the palate and plenty of dusty plum and cherry flavours layered with bittersweet chocolate and baking spice. It has an attractive fullness and persistent finish.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 11th, 2013

Made from traditional Portuguese varieties: Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cao.
On the nose you can expect sweet purple and black berries, velvety chocolate, violets with sweet spice and savoury notes at the core. It is supple and generous on the entry with plenty of mixed berries and chocolate. Firm almost chewy tannins and a spicy finish. Lively acidity will allow this wine to pair with pork, rich tomato based sauces and flavourful Portuguese cheeses.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 6th, 2013

With the broad selection of Malbec from Argentina on the shelves these days, you can expect to come across a diverse range of styles.
Now widely recognized as the "Argentine grape", Malbec has come a long way in the past few years but you'll still find it on the succulent side, which of course pairs well with all that Argentine beef...
This organically grown (from 38 to nearly 90 year-old vines) 2011 CanTinian Malbec is quite different than its previous vintage. It is still a substantial wine, but this year the focus is savoury - grilled meat and spice-rub aromas, smoked herbs and sun-baked earth, black berries and dusty plums with a solid dose of bittersweet cocoa and espresso. Fortunately sweet and supple fruit dominates the palate - spiced cherries, plum cake and rich chocolaty mocha are lifted with bright acidity and a hint of menthol. The finish is brooding, spicy, dark and earthy.
A significant wine, which continues to offer good value.
Pair with grilled or roasted beef, rich, hearty stews, hard cheese or mushroom stuffed ravioli with plenty of Parmesan.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - January 28th, 2013

Made from botrytis affected (a mold, which attacks the grape, desiccates them and results in intense flavours and sweetness) Oraniensteiner and Pinot Blanc.
It is a gorgeous sticky with aromas of wild musky honey in chamomile tea, quince and apricots. It's concentrated with an unctuous weight and flavours of dried apricots, candied citrus peel and honey. There is a vibrancy, a lively acidity, which helps clean up the sweetness on the palate - the persistence is fantastic.
A great option for apricot cake or a dried fruit, nut and cheese platter or small bites of white chocolate.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - December 14th, 2012

The Cono Sur wines never fail to impress with 1) Their sustainable practices, 2) price point, and 3) varietal typicity.
The Pinot Noir is no exception with its classic red fruit - raspberry and sour cherry aromas wrapped around leather, forest floor, carrot tops, cedar box and spiced cocoa. The palate is juicy - it tastes like it smells, like bright red fruit, leather, violets and cedar. The finish trails fine spice and cocoa.
A wine for roasted beets, pumpkin soup, mushroom ravioli or grilled salmon.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 13th, 2012

The Cono Sur wines never fail to impress with 1) Their sustainable practices, 2) price point, and 3) varietal typicity.
The Gewurztraminer is no exception with its perfume of lychee, honeysuckle, rose cream, exotic ginger and star anise, lime and tangerine notes. The palate is juicy and tangy - spice and citrus favours dominate and are layered with tropical fruit.
A delightful white for salt and pepper deep fried tofu, Pad Thai, pate or a grilled gruyere and caramelized onion sandwich.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 13th, 2012

A fascinating blend of Airen and Macabeo, this charming white leads with punchy aromas of Meyer lemons, wild flowers and fresh herbs. The palate is just as tangy and fresh - it has lovely intensity and flavours of peach and apricot, honey and wild sweet herbs followed with a lengthy, mouthwatering finish.
A wine to pair with seafood or rustic platters of olives, pickled greens and smooth cheeses.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 12th, 2012

Made from the Loureiro variety, classic to the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.
It's a stunning version that is floral and citrusy with pristine white fruit and mineral layers. The palate is tangy and oily - flavours of pine and lemondrops are rounded out with fresh herbs and white fruits.
An absolutely charming white for fish, soft-medium cheeses and citrus and herb dressings.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 12th, 2012

This charming blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano from the Adriatic Marche region of Italy offers aromas of tart cherries, saddle leather and red currents, dry spices and savoury/herbal/lactic undertones. It's a rustic wine with the acidity to stand up to tomato sauces and the structure for grilled sausages and it has flavours of roasted spices, cocoa, leather and white pepper. Good persistence here but leaner than previous vintages.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 12th, 2012

This impressive bottle (weighty and slightly misshapen) contains a Rhone blend of Grenache (65%), Mourvedre (25%) and Syrah.
It has Rhone terroir written all over it with its earthy, peppery and garrigue (wild herbs and brush) notes mixed with juicy cherry, black berry and licorice. The palate echoes those notes in an earthy style - mixed fruit, leather, earth, toasted peppery spices and dark cocoa. It's nicely balanced and smooth.
Pair this wine with grilled meats, spiced chili, grilled sausage, medium-aged cheeses or ratatouille.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 7th, 2012