Tag Archives: mystery case

Pears and Ginger

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This is one of the most subtle Pinots we’ve had in quite a long time.  But it’s also very ‘wide awake’ floral in it’s tones.

We decided we were going to enjoy it now – even though some say it can be cellared for up to 6 years.  Just how much more texture and complexity will it have if we wait that

long?  My attitude will have passed it’s  “best before date” if I have to wait that long.

Rock Cod with a pistachio/lemon/tarragon topping went very nicely with it.  Gut instinct asked for poached pears on the side – glad I did.  Complimented the fall fruit flavours of the wine.

White Haven Pinot Gris

$19.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 09418579070057

Either Or

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Okanagan Fruit from lots of sun but cooler summer. A warm October produced this lovely Merlot. The palate has similar flavours of rich ripe fruit and spices with pleasant smoky vanilla notes. The tannins are soft and the finish is long with the flavours lingering long after the last sip. 

Thought about a roast, but decided on a meatloaf with scalloped potatoes.  It was the right decision.  A great pairing. We’ll do the pot roast on the weekend for the other half of the bottle.

BLACK SAGE VINEYARD – MERLOT 2019

$27.99 regularly $30.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00063657031506

Intense

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Southern Clays is a special sub-region within the Wairau Valley, situated on the dry eastern foothills of Marlborough. This sunny, warm and sheltered vineyard site produces intense Sauvignon Blanc fruit. Fresh herbal aromas and a rich palate with a zesty acidity.

It took several sips to get acquainted with the intensity.  Slow down and let the wine take your full concentration.  Yes, it went very well with food, but the next bottle I get will be solely to be enjoyed by itself.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS MARLBOROUGH 18

$29.99 regularly $35.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 09414416105470

Back and Forth

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Excellent fruit character here and BC’s signature white varietal, the Pinot Gris wines offer great food matching ability. Particularly in BC where our menu is all over the place, such as quiche dishes, butter chicken or poached salmon.

100% Pinot Gris from several of our estate vineyards in Summerland. Our Pinot Gris gets very dark in colour during the ripening phase of our growing season, so to retain the crispness & have minimal colour, we press the juice off the skins right away & cold settle everything in tank for a few days before initiating fermentation. Usually showing notes of pear & grapefruit, we keep the fermentation temperatures relatively low to bring out interesting fruity esters & retain acidity. This is a well rounded representation of the most planted varietal in the Okanagan.

Tasting Notes: On the nose you will find aromas of pear, red apple and cantaloupe. In this beautifully balanced medium bodied wine you will find enjoyable flavours of lemongrass, pear and grapefruit with a balanced acidity. 

Food Pairing: A wine that can be enjoyed without food, but some great pairing suggestions are; roasted chicken with a garden salad, cream based pasta dishes or some fresh steamed mussels. 

Production:
3,200 cases

DIRTY LAUNDRY – PINOT GRIS 2021

$19.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00696852009034

Taking dinner hints from the review

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This classic Pinot Grigio shows flavours of citrus, white peach and a hint of pear. A clean, refreshing finish. It’s the perfect wine to enjoy as an aperitif or paired with seafood, summer salads or shrimp risotto.  So we did. Scallops with couscous topped with poached pear

Refreshing and straightforward Pinot Grigio – notes of fresh lemon, lemon pith, and some saline minerality. Light bodied, refreshing on the palate with crisp citrus notes and a clean finish. Enjoy with any fresh fish or seafood.

ABRUZZO PINOT GRIGIO – MARE DI SIRENA

$12.99 regularly $14.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00627987558494

Raising the bar

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Some wines just deliver year in and year out and this Rasteau is one of them. A nice savoury, spicy palate. Dark red, slightly jammy red fruit.


A blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and Mourvede (10%) brings out the earthy terroir tones. 

 It’s full bodied and concentrated. It’s fresh and fruity yet earthy, complex and elegant too.
Egg noodle pasta, with mushrooms, spinach, red peppers, onion rings and shrimp worked so well with this.


RASTEAU – CAVE DE RASTEAU LA DOMELIERE 2019

$21.99 regularly $26.99

14.5% Alcohol

UPC: 03506707066419 

Full bodied and robust

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Hits the sweet spot of flavour and value.  The $18 to $24 range of Malbecs is full of great Argentinean wines.  

This young Malbec from Mendoza is already very approachable. Easy drinking and good by itself. Fruit forward and tasty.

It rates better than any other year from this vineyard  92 Pointer.  Great right out of the bottle, and gets earthier after an hour in the decanter. Tangy and a soft tannin finish.

I’m going to go back and grab another bottle and put down so we can revisit in about 2-3 years.

It’s straightforward and not complex at all but it is big, rich and doesn’t need food although BBQ, hamburgers, sausages and roast beef would all work with it.

MALBEC – MALBADO MENDOZA 2019

$17.99 regularly $22.99

14.5% alcohol

UPC: 00858108007120

A Glass Cork

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

The Cusumanos are one of a handful of Sicilian families who put Sicilian winemaking on the map by crafting wines that reflect local viticultural traditions but also have immense international appeal. As one of the leading families of Sicilian viticulture, the Cusumanos have revolutionized the island’s winemaking styles by focusing on both native and international grape varieties. 

Sauve. sophisticated and debonair would be one way to describe the Nero D’Avola.  Bold and fruit driven.  High tannins … but not quite as high as a Petite Syrah or Barolo.

This is a nice, fruity red with lots of fresh red and black berry aromas and flavours. Medium-bodied with a balanced, fruity palate and just a hint of firmness at the end.

SICILIA NERO D’AVOLA – CUSUMANO

$16.99 regularly $18.99

14% Alcohol

UPC: 08028262000141

thoughts of Figs, Floral aromas and Toast

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

These Chardonnay grapes come primarily from California’s Central Coast vineyards. The cooling influence of coastal Pacific breezes temper ripening and help the grapes retain acidity, ensuring concentrated flavour in the glass. 

Think apples, pears, peaches and pineapple. Add some concentration and balance.

The majority of this California white wine is aged in French oak barrels.

We paired it with apple turkey sausages, bacon/potato peroegies and yellow beans.

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Select

$15.99 regularly $17.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00086003461925

Sniffers need Apply

Posted on by Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

I’ve smelt gunpowder, but not tasted it … reviewers comments about gunpowder raised the stakes for the first bottle from Mystery Case #21.

The grapes are harvested by hand in different areas of Gualtallary (upper, central and lower) to bring the diversity of terroir to each bottle. The grapea are

pressed and fermented with native yeast in concrete with the purpose of obtaining honest wines.

This is about as light a pinot noir gets (12%).  There is a medium bodied palate, and lovely fine tannins.  The clarity of fruit is very evident.  Red cherries on the finish.

One well respected reviewer said: “Outstanding in this vintage are red fruits belended with minerals, herbs, gunpowder and graphite for a very smooth and fresh in the mouth”

Sliders and veggies were on the menu for sharing.  I will check the next delivery of gunpowder for a taste test comparison.

PINOT NOIR – ZORZAL TUPUNGATO

$17.49 regularly $20.49

12% Alcohol

UPC: 00813495010566