Let's go to France...and Italy...and stay in BC the whole time!

Had the opportunity to taste some wines from LaStella and their sister winery, Le Vieux Pin, this weekend. These are wineries I am somewhat familiar with, I've tasted some of their big reds in the past...and I'm lucky enough to have one of these in my cellar:

This is a terrific bottle of wine, I've had a couple of these already, and I'm saving this one for a couple more years to let it fully develop. It's long sold out at the winery and at any wine store I've been to recently, so the chances are pretty good that when we drink this one, it will be the last one we ever have.

So back to the tasting, which was featuring 3 whites and one of their famous big reds:

LaStella 2012 Rosato

Light notes of grapefruit on the nose, with a very pleasant fruity palate. Slightly off dry, and very tasty. A top-notch Rose.

Rating: 84

LaStella 2010 Vivace Pinot Grigio

Your nose might notice some peaches and pears, and your palate will as well, as they give way to gentle notes of lime and citrus. Very dry.

Rating: 86

Le Vieux Pin 2011 Petit Blanc

A blend of 8 different grapes, and this takes on the positive characteristics of each. Tropical fruit salad in a glass. Lovely long, dry finish. An excellent bargain at $20.

Rating: 85

Le Vieux Pin 2010 Syrah $45

A truly big Syrah, strong notes of berries and white pepper on the nose. Balanced palate with some mild oak integrated with the berries and spice. A tiny hint of sour, and the tannins are a bit strong, suggesting that this excellent wine needs to sit until 2015 or later to truly bring out the greatness.

Rating: 89