Okanagan Trip, Part Twenty!! Nk'Mip Cellars up next!

Ah yes, Nk'Mip, home of the only wine to date that received a perfect 100-point score from this highly-acclaimed writer (hey, stop laughing, that's just rude), the 2012 Riesling Icewine. I still get tingles thinking about it.

But no icewine today, just 11 regular old non-100 point table wines. I'll try not to let my lack-of-icewine-bitterness affect my enjoyment of their other fine offerings.

Dammit if I had one of those icewines I'd open it up RIGHT NOW. And it's 9:07 AM. No judgement.

Nk'Mip Cellars 2014 Pinot Blanc ($13.89)

Tropical fruit and citrus on the nose and the citrus really follows through on the palate. At that price, it's almost free. A real nice bargain. 87.








Nk'Mip Cellars 2012 Riesling ($15.69)

Grapefruit, orange peel and slate on the nose. Racy minerality and some honeydew melon on the palate. Another really good wine at this price. 88.








Nk'Mip Cellars 2014 Dreamcatcher ($14.79)

Strong fruity aromas give way to an off-dry palate of honeydew melon, citrus and meyer lemon. 86.








Nk'Mip Cellars 2012 Chardonnay ($14.79)

Very light notes of oak and vanilla on the nose. Stone fruit, baked apple and minerality on the palate and the lovely finish. At this price, an absolute steal. Probably the best $15 Chardonnay on the planet. 87.







Nk'Mip Cellars 2013 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay ($21.79)

Lovely aromas of pear, marzipan and butterscotch. Pear and caramel in abundance on the palate. Still young and already good but a bit more time in the bottle will really improve. 88-90.







Nk'Mip Cellars 2014 Rose ($15.69)

Raspberry, strawberry and a slight hint of rhubarb on the nose. The juicy palate features some cherry and citrus. This is a blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. 87.







Nk'Mip Cellars 2012 Merlot ($17.39)

Strong aromas of plum mingling with a touch of tobacco. Subtle notes of vanilla and clove on the palate. Another one that over-delivers at the price point. 88.








Nk'Mip Cellars 2013 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir ($26.09)

Strawberry, black cherry and rhubarb on the intoxicating nose. The berries come through on the palate, intertwined with a bit of pepper and spice on the finish. 89.








Nk'Mip Cellars 2013 Talon ($19.99)

Hints of plum, cherry and cedar on the lovely nose. The plum comes right back on the palate, with a touch of pepper and caramel. Another excellent bargain. 90.








Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah ($30.49)

Blueberries, cold cuts, cedar and black pepper on the nose. Meaty, herbacious and earthy notes on the palate with a lot of fruit. Just a touch of vanilla on the long finish. Impressive. 91.







Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon ($26.09)

Fruity aromas with some cedar and cassis. Rich and full-bodied. Fruit dominates the palate with just a touch of vanilla and coffee coming up near the end. Another winner and one which might really reward some careful cellaring. 90.







Nk'Mip Cellars Mer'r'iym Meritage ($43.49)

59% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Blueberries, tobacco, currant, blackberries and smoke all waft through the nose. Cherry, dark berries, some earthy and tobacco notes on the palate. Finishes longer than the disbelief over Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Age-worthy and fabulous. 93.


Another really terrific tasting with nothing but quality and value from top to bottom. It says something that the first wine with a price tag over $30 was the 10th wine I reviewed. You really can't go wrong!

But still no icewine. :-(

Next up, we drive a few minutes up the road and end up in Italy, at La Stella!