The big news from this year's Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in B.C. Wines is an award won by Enrico Winery in the Cowichan Valley.
This is the first time in the awards' 13-year history that a Vancouver Island winery has been honoured. The fact that it was Enrico's beautifully balanced Ortega that won is also significant: It sends a clear message to other island wineries that their flagship white variety is well regarded. Hopefully, 2016 will see even more Ortega entered, from the widest number of producers possible. With a total of 14 wineries recognized, more awards were conferred this year than in any previous. It's a sure sign of the excellent conditions of the last two vintages. And also a measure of the evolving high quality of B.C. wines.
The winners: 50th Parallel 2013 Chardonnay; B.C. Wine Studio 2012 Siren's Call Syrah; Blasted Church 2012 Holy Moly Petit Verdot; Cassini 2012 Cabernet Franc Collector's Series; Church State 2012 Quintessential; Enrico 2014 Tempest Ortega; Ex Nihilo 2013 Pinot Noir; Inniskillin Okanagan 2014 Riesling Icewine; Lake Breeze 2012 Merlot; Noble Ridge 2010 "The One" Sparkling; Platinum Bench 2013 Gamay Noir Block 28; Red Rooster 2012 Syrah Reserve; Ruby Blues 2014 Commune Viognier; Wild Goose 2014 Mystic River Gewürztraminer. Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon will visit the winning wineries to present the awards during the week of July 20. It never ceases to amaze me that the distribution of the awards (all wines are tasted blind) are so evenly spread across a range of varieties and wineries. The results speak to the spirit of collaboration and congeniality that exists between the panel members. That in itself is critical to the success of any serious competition of this kind.
Sometimes (often) with competition results it's worth checking the list of wines that didn't quite win but came close.
Not to take away the glory from the 14 stellar winners (move fast if you want to buy any) but a lot of impressive drops made it to the final round. Many of those wines are worth a second look, as they made the cut from a field of 425 wines from 116 wineries. Here's a few to consider:
Blue Grouse Paula Sparkling
This wine, perhaps as much as any other I've tasted recently from Vancouver Island, is a really good example of the potential for island sparkling. It's superbly textured, with just a little sweetness and is a shoo-in for seafood and Asian plates (91 points, $25).
Intrigue Wines Pinot Gris 2014
From Lake Country, which is fast becoming a sub region to watch. If you like a little bit of skin contact then this pretty, gentle salmon coloured wine will appeal. Orchard notes on top with a crisp, clean palate of citrus and grapefruit notes before a clean finish (90 points, $17).
8th Generation Classic Riesling 2013
From Summerland, made by people who can really lay claim to knowing their Riesling: Some tropical and honey notes on the nose followed by a full palate with pear and stone fruit and a distinctive mineral background. Textbook, which is why it's called "Classic" (91 points, $18.26).
Krazy Legz Skaha Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay 2014
Maybe it's no surprise that the sequel to last year's award winner popped up in the final round. This is a well-made, very honest varietal expression of Chardonnay, and in fact surprisingly rich and textured, with good structure and some honey, stone fruit and tropical notes (90 points, $19.95).
Sandhill Phantom Creek Small Lots Malbec 2012
From grower guru Dick Cleave's spectacular vineyard, it shows every bit of its pedigree, in an excellent vintage, made by Howard Soon. Aromas of plum and anise precede a generous, ripe and full fruited palate with structured acidity, firm tannins and a lengthy end (92 points, $35).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
