the Church of great wine is where I choose to pray.....

Shortly after we arrived and started tasting at Church & State, I get a tap on the shoulder, and notice it's my friend Bob and his lovely wife. Neither of us knew the other was going to be there. Freaking small world.

2013 Cuvee Blanc ($19.90)

To paraphrase Seinfeld's George Steinbrenner, "you can put orange Muscat on an old shoe and it would taste pretty good to me".

A blend of 49% Pinot Gris, 20% Riesling, 17% Orange Muscat, 14% Gewurztraminer, this lovely wine features floral notes on the nose, with stone fruits, pineapple and a touch of coconut on the palate. 88.





2013 Viognier ($20.00)

Peaches and apricots on the nose, and they continue through to the palate. Just the tiniest hint of honey joins them. One of my favorite of this varietal. 88.








2012 Chardonnay ($20.00)

More minerality than this varietal often exhibits; some apple, vanilla and a touch of butterscotch on the nose. The flavors are intense and the buttery notes are welcome. It's not as buttery as my favorite BC Chardonnays, but it's lovely nonetheless. 88.







2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($25.00)

Blackberries and a hint of tobacco on the nose, dark fruits, tobacco and a hint of vanilla on the palate. Good now, could probably age and improve for another 3-4 years. 88.






2010 Coyote Bowl Cabernet Franc ($35.00)

Blackberries and cherries on the nose, a touch of tobacco on the palate. Long, silky mouth-feel. Seems like it is a bit closed still, and will only improve with a few more years of careful cellaring. 87.








2010 Coyote Bowl Merlot ($25.00)

A beautiful example of a top-end BC Merlot at a very reasonable price. Currents and herbs on the nose, with strong flavors of dark fruit and a bit of vanilla on the palate. Will only improve with a few more years of loving attention, but it's already great. 90.






2011 Coyote Bowl Syrah ($35.00)

Black pepper. Pepper. Pepper. Ah-chooooooooo...... if you like pepper, you are going to love the nose on this one (and I do). The pepper continues on the palate and right through to the long, lovely, lingering finish. Terrific. 91.






One of our favorites from this trip; we took home four bottles and they are going to be a treat to enjoy, now or in the future.