Random update of much great stuff, including a 3-year vertical of a big BC red.....

Was treated to dinner and a 3-year vertical tasting at our friends' house last weekend. Dinner was superb, and much tasty wine was consumed. My thoughts below!

Starmont Winery 2013 Carneros Chadonnay ($36.99 from BC Liquor Stores)

Aged 18 months in French Oak, 25% new. This is one of those wines where the nose really grabs you, and the palate leaves you wanting more. Bright, vibrant aromas of apple, hazelnut, vanilla and toasty oak. Flavors of almond, apple and citrus. The finish is a bit lacking, but enjoyable still.

Black Widow 2014 Phobia ($29.00)

 50% Merlot, 50% Syrah. This is really coming into it's own, with aromas of blackberry, cloves, cassis, graphite, leather and forest floor. Plum, black cherry, black pepper, mushroom and leather on the palate. Finishes very long. Any jammy notes that might exist in it's youth have subsided and left you with a smooth, flavorful wine. This has improved a ton from the first time I tasted and reviewed it in 2016, here. This paired beautifully with the steak and mushroom sauce we ate with it.

Black Widow 2015 Phobia ($29.00)

 Same blend as above. Blackberry, black raspberry, vanilla and plum on the nose. Raspberry really shines through on the palate, accompanied by black fruit and a touch of spice. Tasty.

Black Widow 2016 Phobia ($29.00)

It will be interesting to see if time is the only difference here. This one changes the blend somewhat: 60% Syrah, 40% Merlot. Almost jammy on the nose, with black cherry, vanilla and black plum aromas. Black cherry, cassis and just a touch of pepper on the palate. This one was underwhelming compared to the two above (especially the '14), but perhaps all it needs is a couple years. It will be interesting to revisit this at a later date.


And, to round out this post, a selection of random whites we have enjoyed recently.

Quails' Gate 2010 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay ($50ish from winery)

Absolutely incredible on the nose, bright tropical fruit, nutmeg, toasted marshmallow, hazelnut, buttered toast and Meyer lemon. This is really hitting it's stride right now, with rich and powerful flavors of caramel, Red Delicious apple, citrus, allspice and candied ginger. This is just delicious, and if you have any of these in your cellar, get them out. I can't imagine this gets much better. 94.

Quails' Gate 2007 Chardonnay ($28.95 from wine shop)

Picked this up at the winery as a curiosity, figured it might be getting close to the end of life, but it has tons of fruit left. Hedonistic, buttery and delicious notes of butterscotch, toasted almond and citrus fruit. Wish I had picked up more than one!!

Signorello Estate Winery 2012 Seta ($188.00 at restaurant)

62% Semillon, 38% Sauvignon Blanc

Intense aromas of pear, honeydew melon and citrus. The palate is unctuous, almost greasy, flavors of passion fruit, pear, quince and nectarine. The finish brings some wet stone along with it. Even at 6 years old, this was closed off at first, but when we asked for a decanter (and food pairings didn't hurt), it opened up beautifully over the course of our meal.


Next up: Back to the Okanagan blog report, Nk'Mip and The Hatch upcoming!!