The Mavety family has been growing grapes high above Vaseaux Lake in the South Okanagan since 1971. Since 1991 they have been making their own wines under the Blue Mountain label.
Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gamay Noir is their focus.
Consistent and elegant with an Old World character the 2011offers spicy and savoury notes of leather and pepper, beet greens and dried herbs atop rhubarb and tart red berries, smoke and cedar. The palate is smooth it is a restrained style with plenty of acidity. Good concentration and flavours of juicy red fruits, spicebox and cigar. The finish is lengthy and trails bittersweet cocoa.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 16th, 2013

Another divinely fragrant 2Bench White vintage from Tinhorn Creek.
This vintage is a blend of 53% Chardonnay, 21% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Semillon, 6% Viognier and 3% Muscat. It leaps out of the glass with lychee, peach and ginger jam, melon and grapefruit with a whiff of rose scented cold cream. It has a lovely texture and an appealing weight with wonderful concentration. Spicy and juicy and quite potent with a spicy grapefruit peel flavoured finish. Recommended pairings: Asian or Latin flavoured dishes, mild seafood curry, chicken and mango salad or grilled tuna.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 16th, 2013

A fresh everyday white with aromas of pear and bright citrus, honeysuckle and guava. There is a kiss of sweetness in the mouth with flavours of stone fruits, sweet spice and vanilla. Nicely weighted on the palate, very approachable. It is an easy-drinking and tasty white for chicken, seafood or smoky/earthy mushroom or smoked cheese.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 15th, 2013

Made from grapes harvested from the Chegwin and Baessler family vineyards in the Similkameen, the Clos Du Soleil Pinot Blanc once again ranks as my favourite Pinot Blanc in BC.
Gorgeous notes of Bartlett pear, apricot, yellow apples and guava with honey and pomelo citrus to lift. It is a pristine wine with vibrant acidity and a creamy edge. Flavours of orchard fruit, gobs of pink grapefruit lead to pear flavours on the finish. Lovely concentration with a crisp, lengthy finish.
Bravo!
Free delivery on direct purchase from online shopping at Clos du Soleil Winery
 
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 15th, 2013

Terravista owners, Stella and Bob Tennant established Terravista Vineyards near Penticton after selling Black Hills Estate several years ago. The Figaro (one of two whites they make) is made from white Rhone grape varieties, Viognier and Rousanne.
It has a pristine nose of white blossoms, exotic citrus, apricot and peach stone with undertones of ginger. The palate is tangy and crisp but it has a lovely silky (almost oily) weight. Attractive clean fruit layered with lime, grapefruit and honey flavours, which cling to the finish.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 9th, 2013

One of British Columbia's newest wineries (opening day was May 4, 2012), Upper Bench, located on seven acres of vineyard on the Naramata Bench, is also a creamery. That's a winning combination!
The rose is a delightful nectar that is scented with sun warmed summer berries and red cherry, blood orange and a core of rainforest floor. The berry flavours return on the palate and are highlighted with charred orange peel, a hint of smoky spice and some wild dry herbs. Good backbone and acidity here with some tannic structure on the finish.
Pair with grilled fish, chicken Kiev, pork, creamy mushroom risotto or a simple platter of cheese, pickled artichokes, olives and bread.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 8th, 2013

A Gamay Noir that will make you fall in love with Gamay Noir, if you aren't already.
It's scented with raspberry tea, white pepper, cedar and fine spice and rounded out with crushed flowers and hints of wild purple berries. The palate is just as appealing with juicy berry flavours, pepper, dried tobacco leaf and cedar chips.
An elegant wine that responds nicely to a slight chill and partners well with cedar planked salmon, pork tenderloin with berry sauces, grilled chicken, chorizo or soft, washed rind cheeses.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 8th, 2013

You may be surprised when you smell and taste this wine as the label says it is unoaked. The nose is honey and caramel, golden pineapple and sweet spice with nutty undertones. There is a creamy weight on the palate with good intensity. Impressive persistence and a finish that trails honey and exotic citrus flavours.
Recommended pairings: Oysters, creamy or smoked cheeses, chicken or creamy pastas.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 7th, 2013

Good pinosity.
Typical sour cherry and red currents, rainforest floor and cedar chips, leather and green herbs with fine spice. Light in body with tart red fruit, leather cocoa and spicebox flavours wrapped in an earthy shell. Good acidity here that provide good pairings with fish and runny cheeses or squash ravioli or creamy mushroom pastas.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 7th, 2013

I review very few German Pinot Noirs (mainly because there are few available in Canada), so I was pleasantly surprised to see this one come across my desk.
Pleasing aromas of raspberries, violets and sweet spice lead to an earthy core of cedar/rainforest floor and carrot tops. The palate is smooth and very light in body - red fruit and cedary flavours dominate. It is fresh and straightforward but has a very clean palate.
Pair with fish, soft/creamy cheeses or mushroom risotto.

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

Pioneering a new wine region in BC, Fort Berens is located at the base of the Fraser Canyon, near Lillooet.
Their vines are now old enough, that they are able to rely upon making this wine from their estate fruit.
This vintage is a paler cherry blossom pink colour, which I prefer. It's delicate and fragrant with vanilla, rose petals, sweet summer berries and orange blossoms. The palate is tangy and is reminiscent of a bowl of summer fruit spritzed with tangerine oil. Nice job this vintage. There is some backbone here and fine spice and cedar flavours on the finish, but the acidity and lively character will draw you back to your glass again and again.
Pair with a wide range of foods: salmon, a cheese platter, cassoulet, pork, turkey or grilled veggies.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - May 3rd, 2013