1/1/2023 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Rich purple starting to get an orange tinge at the edges. There was a tiny bit of sediment at the very end of the bottle, but much less than I expected for a 10 year old bottle and it was fine enough that it wasn’t wasted to the sink. Black cherry and tobacco were strongest on the nose, with a hint of menthol. Medium-bodied with flavours of red cherry, leather, cedar, tobacco, and a bit of vanilla and blueberry. This was very smooth for a Syrah, though it still had plenty of acidity and has years left in the cellar. The finishing taste of wood lasted for 10 minutes after the last drink. Another great bottle from Le Vieux Pin.

2/26/2022 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Still very good. Strong notes of thyme. I think this is at or slightly past its prime, so probably best to drink by end of 2023.

2/19/2022 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

A beautiful crimson rim with dark fruit and tobacco on the nose. Very smooth and elegant on the palate, with flavours of dark cherry and a long finish. Still several good years on this but I'm not sure if the third of three bottles will make it out of 2022.

1/22/2022 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

Not flawed—just very unenjoyable. An unpleasant jammy smell and overripe flavours. Hopefully others have better luck, but this one seems like purple drink.

7/3/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This had lovely bubbles closer to Champagne quality than the Prosecco I've had in the past. This was available for under 5 Euro per bottle directly at the winery but it doesn't seem to be available for purchase in Canada.

4/3/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pale yellow with aromas of white peach and hints of sweet pea and petrol. Nectarine on the palate with a long finish and medium acidity. The first Pinot Grigio I've really liked. Another great wine from La Stella.

3/22/2021 - geoffjb wrote:

Tangy and virtually absent of flavour, which doesn't align with reviews of past vintages. I have to assume this is flawed. ☹️

Edit: I wrote the winery to ask about how they handle members with a flawed bottle. I got a form response back saying the bottle would have to come back and it would have to be in person. All costs are my responsibility and I would get a replacement bottle. If this were a $20 bottle I would just leave it alone and eat the cost, but at $50 for a 2018 vintage, I won't continue paying for this kind of customer service.

3/21/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pale straw in colour. Aromas are mild: at first I got lychee with maybe a hint of really ripe bell pepper, but later I got ripe pineapple. This is very gentle on the palate—I'm not sure what the proportions are of each grape but even though Sauvignon Blanc is listed first, don't expect anything like a varietal. On the palate, ripe nectarine stuck around for a surprisingly long finish. Give this a long chill and serve before the food on a hot summer day. A nice surprise from LVP's least expensive wine.

3/21/2021 - geoffjb wrote:

Fresh strawberries and raspberries on the palate. It seemed a bit hot on night one but now I'm thinking it might have been served a bit warm; seemed better on night three after some time in the fridge. A beautiful copper-pink in colour. Not as refreshing as the 2020 Vaïla but still a very nice rosé. CellarTracker says this is Merlot but the bottle says Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sangiovese.

3/20/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

There are aromas of dried fruit that definitely point at an Amarone, but aside from raisin and smoke on the nose I also got hints of green pepper. Medium red-orange in colour. Raisin and hints of forest floor on the palate. Tannins are mild and smooth, and alcohol is clearly there but not hot. Long finish. Easily good for a few more years but I can never seem to cellar a bottle. Great value at Costco in Alberta at $41. Pair with good news or a cold winter Saturday night.

3/18/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

I was surprised when my wine order arrived today and I pulled out the Vaïla to see 5% Syrah. I looked back as far as the labels listed varieties and couldn't see when LVP had put Syrah in their rosé before. Now I shouldn't be surprised, since LVP are masters in BC at Syrah, but it piqued my interest and I knew it was the bottle I'd be opening tonight.

As always, Severine and her wine-making team have delivered. Perhaps the improving spring weather is putting my tastebuds in a good mood, but this was an *incredibly* good rosé. A rich medium pink with powerful aromas of fresh cherry and a hint of cream soda and cherry candy. With so much flavour it can be served *cold*, which makes it that much more refreshing. The acidity carries the flavours but wasn't dominant. The alcohol was perfectly balanced—a signature of LVP—which makes it that much easier to drink. Fresh cherry and cream soda on the palate ending with cherry sucker on the long finish.

This sets the bar high for BC rosés in 2021. The best I've had.

3/13/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pretty mild on the nose—almost imperceptible. Medium ruby with a tinge of orange. Raspberry, red currant, and a bit of earth on the palate. This is a pretty great deal at Costco for just $14. Excellent with burgers. Bonus point for such great QPR.

3/12/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

A year ago, Tinhorn sold The Creek (its flagship wine) for $55.

Three months ago, every vintage of The Creek was available for under $30. I don't know why. They've since sold out and there are no 750 mL bottles available from any vintage, so today I ended my membership. Tinhorn's Crush Club was my first club membership, my first venture into "expensive" wine (at the time, $50 for a bottle was outrageous to me), and The Creek was my first "dayum!" moment with wine.

It's a bittersweet moment, but what better solace than to enjoy what is arguably the best vintage of Tinhorn's best wine: their 2015 Creek. Ripe blackberry and clove coat your mouth. It smells rich and full, like I've walked into a million dollar cabin on Christmas Eve. There's nothing out of balance tonight. This is Michael Jordan pre-buzzer beater, when everyone in the stadium can already see him lifting the trophy. A Friday night, celebrate something big wine. One you want to share because everyone deserves to experience this.

Maybe it's my emotional connection that leads me to rate this so high. But isn't that what wine is? It's not just a juice geared for adults—it's a bridge to a moment, between friends, and a time to recognize the passion and hard work of all the people who contributed. This is a masterclass of B.C., Canadian, and new world wine. You sadly lost your way, Tinhorn, but it wasn't here.

3/6/2021 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

An excellent BC Syrah. At first, baking spices were dominant, which reminded me more of a blend like Tinhorn's The Creek than a typical BC Syrah. However, flavours like black pepper, black cherry, and smoke were there, too. For me this surpasses most BC Syrahs like Mission Hill's Border Vista and Painted Rock's offering, and is up there on the heels of Le Vieux Pin's Classique.

3/5/2021 - geoffjb wrote:

Medium-dark purple with the typical magenta rim. A bit earthy on the nose. On the palate it's pure black licorice with maybe a hint of black currant. Not my type nor a typical Malbec, in my mind. Got better with some time in the glass.

1/22/2021 - geoffjb wrote:

Not nearly as enjoyable this time. Exciting on the nose but fell flat on the palate. Took some time to open up but it never got there.

9/23/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

Really disappointing. Nice aromas of dark berries, tobacco, and spice, but the alcohol dominated on the palate. A few hints of blackberry and baking spice but too unbalanced. At the price, this was an incredible letdown.

6/9/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Tomato and blueberry on the palate. Tannins were silky and integrated. A bit smoky on the nose. This continues to drink very well.

6/4/2020 - geoffjb wrote:

Pale straw with pronounced aromas of floral perfume. On the palate were jasmine, flowers, and almond. Acidity is medium and sits there—soft, broad, and plush—enveloped by the rest of the wine. This is full-bodied with a chewiness to it. Pair with grandma's perfume drawer, maybe?

6/4/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pale straw with a hint of green and aromas of lemon zest with hints of unripe nectarine and petrol. On the palate were nectarine, green apple, and lemon. This has a buzzing acidity that is lively and energetic. It's balanced, but you also will never forget it's there. Off dry and light-bodied with a long finish, this is one that'll keep me coming back.

5/22/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Deep ruby with aromas of freshly-cut spruce, blackberry, tomato leaf, and hints of smoke and leather. On the palate were black plum, tobacco, spice, and leather. Acidity was medium-minus, in the gums, and linear. Medium body with light tannins that were fine-grained and woody. The finish was long, balanced, and smooth. This had fairly light acidity and tannins but was drinking well. The flavours were almost Pinot Noir-like, with more wood than fruit. This was a bit pricey but enjoyable with a great finish. An enjoyable first try of Marechal Foch.

5/22/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Medium gold with aromas of ripe yellow apple, apricot, pear, and hints of clay, butter, and walnut. On the palate were yellow apple, underripe nectarine, lemon, and hints of bread and cedar. This had medium acidity that was balanced and supportive. Dry and full-bodied with a long finish that was bready. This had excellent acidity, great flavours, and a delicious finish with good complexity. This should continue to cellar for five years at least. A bit pricey but a good buy. I'd love to have this again some time.

5/19/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

The Blue Mountain Brut Rosé is a sparkling blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay (according to the label, at least—the technical sheet on their website says 60% P.N. and 40% Chardonnay). It poured with a thick head of large bubbles, without much of a bead from the bottom. In the mouth, they felt a bit like soda bubbles. It was a bright and pale copper in colour with a hint of pink.

Aromas were medium intensity, with mostly bread but also a hint of butter coming through. If I hadn't seen the colour I would have assumed this was a blanc de blancs from the aromas. On the palate the Pinot Noir stood out more: It was floral with flavours of raspberries and a hint of bread.

Acidity was medium intensity, linear, and balanced. Alcohol was low and it was dry and light-bodied with a medium finish. Overall, this was a light and refreshing sparkling wine with nice acidity and good flavours. The bubbles were a bit disappointing—I didn't get the "fine mousse" per the technical sheet—but this is a great value for a sparkling wine at under $40 CAD.

5/19/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Subtle for a Sauvignon Blanc. Very quiet on the nose, with a bit of grass or leaf. Acidity is medium-plus although this is very smooth. Definitely one I would enjoy again.

5/14/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This was quite a different experience than the last time I tried this wine on April 1, although the score is the same. Like before, it had what appeared to be tiny bubbles floating in it, although it's possible that it was some sort of particulate. Pale yellow with aromas of cut grass, fresh peach, and dusty gravel. On the palate were fresh peach, canned peach syrup, lemon, and passionfruit. Acidity was medium-plus, starting high and then climbing even higher over time. It was dry, light-bodied, and had a long finish that was fruity and balanced. Unlike in April, I definitely see more aging potential. I still think this is overpriced at $35 CAD.

5/14/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

This was a pale gold with aromas of peach and yellow apple. On the palate were ripe peach and strawberries on the finish, as well as another flavour I couldn't pin down that I just didn't enjoy. Acidity was medium and prickly but dropped off quickly. It was off-dry and medium-bodied with a medium finish. It was fairly simple and not something I would buy again.

5/8/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pale straw with a hint of green, this wine had restrained aromas of fresh peach and sweet pea. On the palate were both fresh peach and canned peach syrup. Acidity was medium-plus and much like a Riesling, though not as in-your-face. It was dry and light-bodied with a medium-plus finish. This was a great wine for someone who likes Riesling but finds it too tart for their tastes. I'll be buying this again.

5/3/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Per the label, the Chardonnay grapes for the 2014 White Gold were sourced from Blind Creek Vineyard in Similkameen (at some point in the following three years, they switched to grapes from their own vineyard in Lillooet). Deep yellow with very restrained aromas of butter or maybe cream. On the palate, flavours were more noticeable: honey, green apple, and hints of leather and smoke. Acidity was medium-plus and fairly tart. This was dry and medium-bodied with a long but subdued finish. If I tasted this blind, I would have guessed at a Sauvignon Blanc rather than a Chardonnay. Lots of acidity to carry this several more years. Flavours were nice and although the finish was restrained, it was enjoyable. For $25 CAD, this is a great value.

5/2/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

For me, this has been the best rosé of the 2019 vintage. Bright and a beautiful medium pink colour, aromas were restrained and included rose petals, grapefruit, peach, and a hint of yellow apple. Flavours included grapefruit, citrus, strawberries and cream, and a hint of yellow apple. Light-bodied with medium acidity, this well-balanced rosé was crisp and light with great flavours that developed into a long, smooth, and delicate finish. At $16 CAD, I would stock up for summer.

4/28/2020 - geoffjb wrote:

This Chardonnay was deep gold in colour with pronounced aromas of thick movie theatre popcorn, caramel or burnt toffee, and hints of nuts and earth. Flavours were complex and included molasses, almond, and movie popcorn—almost like an old fashioned gingerbread cookie. This was full-bodied and dry. Acidity was low and a bit flat, but the finish was long and smooth.

In many ways this reminded me of a Sherry. It had a bitter aftertaste and is likely past its prime, but what a great value to get a 10 year old Chardonnay for $25 CAD. If you still have this in your cellar, I'd recommend drinking it now.

4/28/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Bright and pale straw with a hint of green, this Chardonnay had fairly restrained aromas of butter, ripe yellow apple, and lemon, and flavours of canned peaches and yellow apple. Acidity was medium and smooth. The wine was full-bodied with a medium-plus finish. Overall, this wine had nice acidity with simple but great flavours typical of a Chardonnay. There was not a lot of flavour progression but this is a steal at $17 CAD. If past Chardonnays from Fort Berens have been any indication, this should drink well for at least 4-5 more years.

4/25/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Medium ruby/purple in colour with pronounced aromas of ripe raspberry and hints of cinnamon, cigar, and dark chocolate. On the palate were pronounced flavours of black cherry, cigar box, and black pepper. Acidity was medium and tingly. Alcohol was high but not too hot and tannins were low, smooth, and ripe. This full-bodied wine was well-balanced with a very long, peppery finish. This was a bit expensive, but it was enjoyable and well-balanced with nice acidity that should cellar for a few years.

4/25/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

Pale yellow in colour, this blend had aromas of ripe lemon and a hint of butter. Flavours were pronounced, with lemon and mango standing out. Acidity was medium-minus—not flabby but getting there soon. The wine was sweet and full-bodied with a syrupy mouthfeel and a medium finish. To me, this lacked acidity and had simple flavours without any progression. The finish was nice. Good value at this price if you like a sweeter wine, but not one I'd buy again.

5/1/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Lemon and yellow apple stand out on the nose. On the palate, strong notes of lemon and a hint of grass. Medium acidity and almost sweet on the fairly long finish. This is perfectly tart. Enjoy this with chicken, fish, or garden salad with mandarin oranges and feta, or just sip it on the patio on a hot day. This is an exceptional value at just $16 CAD. This is drinking great right now but should be just fine into 2021.

4/7/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This is a seriously good Chardonnay for $22 CAD ($26 for non-club members). Butter and yellow apple were dominant on the palate, with smooth acidity and medium-plus body. This wine is underpriced, which makes it a great buy.

4/20/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Dried cherry, tobacco, and sweet raisin on the nose. Nice acidity with blackberry, leather, plum, and a hint of cherry cough syrup on the palate. The alcohol remained balanced even as this warmed up. The tannins were ripe and so smooth. Primary flavours still dominate. Everything was so well balanced—this drinks well now but will age a while. I couldn't drink this every day but some nights just call for Amarone.

4/16/2020 - geoffjb wrote:

This Riesling was beautiful on the nose, with aromas of canned peaches and sweet pea flowers. On the palate were fairly restrained flavours of lemon and green apple. It also had some more artificial flavours of peach soap or a fruity body spray that a teenaged girl might have used in the 90s. Flavours improved slightly on day 2, with the artificial flavours dissipating. Acidity wasn't too high for a Riesling so I would drink this now. I would have loved to see more progression on the palate. It's hard not to assign a high value to Fort Berens wines even when I don't really enjoy them, since they're so reasonably priced, but for the prices I would steer someone toward their Riesling Reserve (just a few bucks more) or the plain ol' Riesling if you're looking for a bit of residual sugar.

4/19/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This was very smooth with ripe yellow fruit and a hint of butter. Oak levels and acidity both seemed balanced to me. I have yet to try a Painted Rock I don't like and this Chardonnay—the only white they produce—is no exception. This has the acidity to last another few years but it drinks well right now.

4/17/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Malbec isn't a common find in British Columbia, so what a treat it was to try this Malbec out of Painted Rock Estate. A bit more red fruit than its Argentinian counterparts, but it has everything one would expect from a Malbec—including how smooth it was. Great structure will keep this going for years.

4/16/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

The Fort Berens Riesling is a pale straw with fairly restrained aromas of petrol, pineapple, and papaya. The flavours were of moderate intensity and included canned pineapple (with the metallic flavour and sensation you get from the metal of the tin) and lychee. Acidity was medium and fresh, alcohol was low, and it was off-dry (the website lists 14.4 g/L of residual sugar). Kudos to James Cambridge and the rest of the team at Fort Berens as I feel they balanced the acidity and sugar well. This was low to medium-bodied with a medium finish.

Overall, this has good acidity but I would recommend drinking it in 2020 (I'm sure it would hold up into 2021). The flavours are pleasant but static. At under $16 CAD for club members, this has great value. It's not at the same level as their Reserve Riesling or a Riesling from CedarCreek, but for the price it punches above its weight.

4/14/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Wow, this was good! Refreshing and crisp with subtle floral aromas and flavours. This is an excellent patio wine that could be enjoyed with lightly-seasoned chicken breast or a nice salad. Definitely one I'll be seeking out again.

4/15/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

This tastes more like a Gewertztraminer than a Pinot Gris. Hard pass.

4/15/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Flavours of blackberry complemented by a nice acidity that should let this age a number of years. Tannins were smooth and ripe. This is a great B.C. Syrah that could be aged or enjoyed now if you enjoy more fruit-forward wines.

4/13/2020 - geoffjb wrote:

Grapefruit was dominant on the nose and palate. There is no sense of watermelon like the 2018. As always, this is a beautiful and rich salmon colour. The flavours were muted but hopefully they will start to come out in a few months. I'm hopeful that this will rate higher in June or July.

4/8/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This was full-bodied, rich with baking spices, and just a pleasure to drink. I asked the Club Manager for a recommendation from the wines in the Library. She asked the owners and they sent this—and what a great wine it was! This is still showing well and will continue to for another year at least. So thank you Jackie, Rolf, Heleen, and everyone else at Fort Berens. I continue to be surprised by the great wines out of this Lillooet winery.

4/11/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

I was really looking forward to this for our Saturday night wine and unfortunately it was a huge letdown. Flavours were good and typical of a Syrah, including ripe fruit and black pepper. Tannins were medium-minus and in the gums. Where this falls down is the acidity—it has none. I found this flabby and lacking any structure. The finish was short: A 475-foot bomb that lands as a foul ball. The literal liquid might go down your throat, but the wine dies in your mouth.

Such a shame for only a four-year-old wine—and especially one that's $50+ CAD.

4/11/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Very faint aromas of lemon zest and motor oil. On the palate are faint flavours of lemon and green apple. Acidity is medium and tart. This is medium-bodied and dry. A nice Pinot Gris out of the Okanagan.

4/6/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

This was a beautiful salmon in colour with aromas of grapefruit and cranberry. It was dry with crisp, refreshing acidity. The flavours were a bit muted, with mostly tart apple coming through, but this rosé really shines on its finish: strawberries linger on the palate for longer than expected. This is an excellent buy right now as we move into spring and summer. Stock up but enjoy in 2020 on a hot day.

4/1/2020 - geoffjb Likes this wine:

Pale straw in colour with pronounced aromas of guava, passionfruit, fuzzy peach candies, and lemon. On the palate were guava, passionfruit, and lemon. Acidity was medium and fresh. Alcohol was low and it was light-bodied. This was very enjoyable but had low acidity for a Sauvignon Blanc-dominant blend and I'm not sure it will age very long. I would gladly drink this again but the value was low at $35 CAD so I'm not sure I'd want to buy it.

4/4/2020 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

The flavours are okay but this is too flabby. I wish the blend had a higher amount of Riesling. Not one I would buy again.