Friday, August 22, 2008

20 Under $20

Arrowleaf 2007 Bacchus $14 (Lake Country)
Peach, rose petals, pink grapefruit and lemon-lime aromas followed by flavours of green apple, lemon rind, grapefruit, spice and mineral. Crisp entry and a clean finish with a lingering acidity, this is the quintessential summer sipper ideal served well chilled on hot days.

Calona 2005 Artist Series Cab Merlot $15 (Kelowna)
A Friday-night quaffer of wine with bright cherry aromas, toasty oak character and hints of cloves and vanilla. Soft and fruit-forward – goes down easy.

CedarCreek 2007 Ehrenfelser $18.10 (Kelowna)
A delightful bouquet of honeysuckle, peach and pink grapefruit that also shines through on the palate. Refreshing sipper with nice racy acidity on the finish. Flavours of fresh peach and grapefruit and just enough residual sugar for balance.

Domaine de Chaberton 2006 Canoe North Bluff Red $13 (Fraser Valley)
Aromas and flavours of black cherries, stewed plums and pepper spice. Medium body, sweet entry and simple finish. A Merlot that is nice for the price, definitely a crowd pleaser and a terrific little barbecue wine.

Ganton and Larson 2006 Ogopogo’s Lair Pinot Grigio $17 (Oliver)
A bouquet filled with tropical fruit, apricot, floral and fresh citrus acidity. Some tree and tropical fruit flavours with fresh acidity on the palate and a racy finish. A delightful everyday sipper.

Gehringer Brothers 2006 Cuvée Noir $13.10 (Oliver)
Baked black cherry, chocolate, smoked meat, black pepper aromas with a medium body texture, soft mid palate and flavours of dark berry, cocoa, spice and a slightly hot alcoholic finish. But it’s priced right for group gulping.

Golden Mile Cellars 2006 Road 13 White $17 (Oliver)
Citrus rind, spicy, mineral, peach and ginger aromas. Crisp, dry entry with viscosity on the palate and a zesty finish. A multi-layered value white for those who crave something different.

Gray Monk 2006 Siegerrebe $16.50 (Lake Country)
Aromas of floral, spice, pink grapefruit, orange, peach. Fresh entry with lovely off-dry acidity and a racy finish. Flavours of peach, honey, grapefruit, orange, spice.
Easy sipper that should be served well chilled.

Hester Creek 2006 Cabernet Merlot $16 (Oliver)
Aromas of cherry, blackberry and pepper and a touch of sweet oak. This is an uncomplicated sipper with ripe cherry, blackberry flavour and soft tannins. A great choice for barbecues and pizza.

Jackson-Triggs 2004 Proprietor’s Reserve Meritage $19.99 (Oliver)
One of the top rated value wines in the country featuring a full bouquet of cassis, violets, chocolate, spice and toasty oak. On the palate is luscious dark fruits, cocoa, spice, toast, vanilla and moderate tannins.

Joie 2007 Rose $18.90 (Naramata)
Lively strawberry extract and bing cherry aromas with some honeysuckle, rose and peach notes. Lively on the entry with loads of fresh strawberry and cherry flavours and a racy clean finish.

Nk’Mip 2005 Merlot $19.99 (Osoyoos)
An earthy Merlot with luscious black fruits, spice, toasty oak notes. On the palate there is considerable weight, good fruit extraction, spice and a bit of a tannic bite on the finish. A winner with a juicy steak. Cellar for future smooth sipping.

Quails’ Gate 2006 Chardonnay $19 (Kelowna)
Honeyed apple, citrus and a touch of toast and butter on the nose. Lovely roundness on the palate with good weight without being overdone. Clean finish with good length. This a quaffable well-balanced Chard at a great price.

Recline Ridge 2006 Kerner $12 (Salmon Arm)
Waxy apple skin, lemon, lime, green peach and floral notes. The entry is crisp and the mid-palate is bright and racy with flavours of citrus, mineral, lemon-lime, apple skin. A superb value worthy of stocking up for ongoing patio/hot tub sipping – can’t go wrong

Red Rooster 2007 Riesling $16 (Naramata)
Pear, mineral, floral, apple, tangerine and lemon aromas followed by flavours of green apple, candied lemon, mineral, grapefruit, lemon zest. Slightly sweet and luscious entry with crisp mid-palate, racy finish.

Sandhill 2006 Pinot Blanc $17 (Kelowna)
Aromas of pineapple, melon, lemon-lime, pear and a touch of spice and oak. Bright acidity on the palate balanced by luscious flavours of tropical fruit, citrus and a clean, racy finish.

Sumac Ridge 2006 Private Reserve Chardonnay $19.95 (Summerland)
One of the few truly buttery wines left in the Okanagan – ideal for those who like that bold style. Features sweet tropical fruit, pear, vanilla, buttered toast and sweet spice.

Therapy 2006 Pink Freud $18 (Naramata)
A lively wine that is also a conversation starter with its name and packaging. This shiraz/merlot/pinot noir blend offers up citrus and berry notes and a hint of spice. Clean, zesty finish.

Thornhaven 2007 Gewurztraminer $17 (Summerland)
Lovely sweet entry with lively acidity on the mid-palate and a fresh, snappy finish. Candied lemony fruit flavours, lychee, grapefruit and rose petal character. They set the bar for Gewurz in the valley.

Tinhorn Creek 2004 Cabernet Franc $18 (Oliver)
Aromas of spice, toasted nuts, blackberry, roasted vegetables and black pepper. Ripe fruit flavours on the palate with toasty oak and roasted nuts plus some dark vanilla and a spicy pepper finish. Good length.

1 comment:

Stacy said...

Great post! I'll have to try and find those at my LDB. Although, a wine titled Ogopogo's Lair I might not take that seriously - Nessie's Nightmare...