While Labour Day poses as the last hurrah of a spectacular summer, I beg to differ.
Chances are warm days and nights will continue for a while, which is all the more reason to keep that barbecue primed. With the holiday firmly in mind, here’s a few “working” wines that will fit the sipping and grilling bill well into fall, a few weeks away yet.
Laya 2012 (Almansa, Spain)
Perennially good-value Spanish blend of Garnacha and Monastrell sports forward black fruit with a slightly reductive note, followed by a juicy palate with definite oak notes. Great value (BCLS $13.99, 89 points).
Santa Ana Torrontes 2012 (Mendoza, Argentina)
Floral and citrus on top, followed by a clean, zesty and juicy palate with a crisp end (BCLS $14.99, 89 points).
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2011
This affordable, full-bodied California red delivers more than you might expect, thanks to a splash of Cab Sauv that adds a little more interest. Slightly dusty on top with loads of black fruit and spice on the palate, and some nice meaty, peppery varietal notes in the end. Think braised red meats for sure. A perfect barbecue partner ($BCLS $17.99, 89 points).
Nk’Mip Cellars Pinot Blanc 2012 (Okanagan Valley)
One the most widely planted white vinifera, Pinot Blanc has been shunted aside by more commercially appealing Chardonnay, which is a pity. Try this lively, tropical-toned drop just packed with vibrant citrus and mineral hints and you’ll see why. Think salmon ($15.99, 90 points).
Happy Camper Chardonnay 2012 (California)
Here’s a fun drop with a cute lifestyle theme, and a label that draws you in in a late-summer kind of way. Plus, I kind of like the vintage trailer. Tropical and orchard notes up front, followed by a slightly buttery and citrus-toned palate. Not fancy but easy sipping, or a good match for a Waldorf salad (BCLS $13.99, 88 points).
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A decade goes by in a flash in the wine industry. Two even quicker. This year marks 20 years since Tinhorn Creek built its impressive winery high on (I suspect soon to be officially designated) Golden Mile Bench.
Here’s a couple of worthy drops from their Diamondback, Black Sage planting, just across the valley:
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2012 (Okanagan Valley)
Lifted berry fruits on the nose followed by a well-textured, quite full-bodied palate, with approachable tannins, well-balanced fruit and oak, and a good close. This is one of the workhorse wines that very much helped put B.C. reds on the map. It’s easy to see why ($19.99, 89 points).
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2012 (Okanagan Valley)
Tinhorn has been one of the driving forces behind this variety’s rise in B.C. popularity, having been among the first to plant and make it as a single variety. Raspberry and dark cherry up front, followed by a nicely structured palate with a clean core and good acidity, underpinned by appealing earthy and herbaceous notes that continue throughout the finish ($24.99, 90 points).
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September’s calendar brims with activity as harvests and festivals of every kind kick into full gear. Here’s one very good reason to hop back on a ferry: Sip & Savour Salt Spring runs Sept. 19-21, with a wealth of delicious distractions throughout the island.
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. Contact: [email protected].
