An affordable and attractive Viognier that is dominated by citrus notes that morph into wild honey and peach skin. The palate is quite concentrated, more so than the last vintage, with a slick texture and a good dose of sweetness. The flavours here are peaches and apricots, exotic spice such as star anise and citrus. The lively acidity on the finish helps to clean up the residual sweetness.
Pair with tofu coconut curry, pad Thai, oily fish and medium-strong cheeses.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 2nd, 2012

This charming white is a blend of sustainably grown Verdejo (85%), Sauvignon Blanc (3%) and Viura (12%).
It's a wonderfully fragrant wine, which doles out honeysuckle, peach stone, lemon balm and sweet grassy notes. It's also a pristine wine with impressive vibrancy. There's an appealing concentration of flavours here - floral, ctrus and herbs with a good dose of mineral and zesty, grapefruit peel trails across the finish.
A wine for fresh seafood salads, oysters, tangy goat's cheese or lemon and herb pasta.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 1st, 2012

A modern take on a classic region, this Left Bank white is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc, rounded out with Semillon.
The Left Bank wines have a clean and modern New World style label but still offer the charm of the Old World in the bottle. The wine hails from vineyards on the left bank of the Gironde River (known for the famous appellations of Saint-Estephe, Pauillac and Margaux among others) and it offers very fresh lemony aromas, sweet herbs and grass clippings with honeycomb and mineral undertones. The palate stays true with tangy citrus, herb and mineral flavours. It has a lovely oily weight and long zesty finish. A charming white, that will pair well with fresh cheeses, starters or seafood.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 1st, 2012

From the rocky, calcium rich soils of the Black Sage Bench region in the Southern Okanagan Valley, this delicious Stoneboat Pinot Gris is 80% tank fermented and 20% fermented in neutral oak barrels.
It's a delicious white with fantastic concentration. On the nose it presents spiced creamed pears, honey and white grapefruit and white blossoms atop classic Gris undertones of earth and mushroom. The palate is tangy and leads with flavours of pear, nectarine and citrus. The finish is zesty and lengthy.
Pair this wine with chicken in mushroom sauce, mushrrom risotto, chicken salad or salmon.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - November 1st, 2012

Bill and Darlene Freding relocated their cattle ranch from the Cariboo region to somewhere known more for viticulture than cattle - the Black Sage Bench. Here they continue to ranch under their multi-generational Rafter F name and are growing grapes in their Saddle Ridge Vineyard. The wine is made at the Okanagan Crush Pad, in Summerland under Michael Bartier who's a very busy man these days.
It offers pear compote, yeasty notes, honey and vanilla, which lead to a creamy, rounded palate. It has good concentration and weight from the extensive lees stirring while in tank.
Pair with mushroom sauced pastas, chicken or grilled seafood.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 30th, 2012

The Cellar Hand wines round out a more premium Black Hills portfolio, although there's no reference to its parentage on the label.
The white is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
It's a very tasty bottle with an attractive price - mixed tropical and orchard fruit aromas, exotic citrus and honeysuckle. The palate is juicy with an attractive sweet & spicy character. Plenty of fruit here, a lovely mouth-feel and weight with good concentration and spicy finish.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 30th, 2012

Composed primarily of the indigenous white Sicilian variety, Catarratto, the Anthilia is a fantastic food wine for fish, appetizers or a simple pasta e olio.
The aromas here are subtle and integrated - fresh minerality, honey and lemon with fine floral notes. It is oily on the palate and is weighted with mineral, citrus and vague flavours of spice and caramel. It's also a textural wine with a lengthy finish.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 30th, 2012

Pretty pear, nectarine and honeysuckle aromas are wrapped around classic mushroomy/earthy Pinot Gris undertones. It has a lovely creamy weight with liberal pear and zesty grapefruit flavours. Wonderful concentration and persistence.
This wine also comes in a handy 3L bag-in-box, if you get it early (that's 4 bottles for $66).
A wine that will pair well with chicken salad, salmon, mushroom ravioli and lots more...

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 25th, 2012

The best Rieslings have balance and a pristine character - as does this one. This Ress is consistent vintage after vintage - mineral notes are woven with apricots and honey, white blossoms and tangy citrus. It pops with lively acidity and offers tart apples, stone fruit and lemon/lime flavours. Expect excellent concentration and persistence trailing mineral and citrus peel flavours.
A wine for white meats, spicier Asian cuisines or at 10% alc. - simply quaffing.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 23rd, 2012

A delicious and elegant Chardonnay, which leads with aromas of apple, pear and melon, vanilla, honey, citrus blossoms and fine spice with a hint of ginger. The palate is fresh offering plenty of sweet fruit and citrus rounded out with leesy flavours. Very nice complexity and excellent length.
Pair with grilled salmon or chicken in a buttery lemon and herb sauce.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - October 19th, 2012