Wine roundup: Gray Monk, Cape Classics, Inniskillin, and more

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      Gray Monk Rotberger 2011/12
      ($15.99; specialty listing, while it lasts)

      A gorgeous wine that’s neither a blush nor a rosé; neon pink in colour. Gray Monk has the only plantings of the grape in North America. This lush, fruity pink wine has been hitting the mark for me since it arrived in our market some years back. Rotberger (pronounced “rote-berger”) is a fabulous food wine with hearty, huge fruit—nothing wimpy about it. It ought to be in all restaurants. Room temperature brings out the fullness of the grape, but a few moments in the fridge—even the freezer—is nice too.

      Compass Box Great King Street Artist’s Blend Scotch Whisky
      ($59.99)
      Speaking of room temperature or iced, I like my Scotch whisky both ways too, depending on the time of day. And I like a tipple of this OTB (one-time buy) if there’s any left. Consisting of some single malts blended with single-grain whisky, it’s mellower than the colour suggests; stylish and rich, soft and classy, it’s redolent of baked apple and rich, toasted oak.

      Gray Monk Odyssey Rose Brut 2009
      ($19.99)
      Bracing, bright pink, fresh, and delicious, this has exquisite bubbles.

      Plume Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
      ($29.99, specialty listing)
      This is a big and bold (14.6 percent) B.C./California coproduction by the Stewart and Zepponi families. It’s a real Sunday dinner Cab—lush and mellow, soft and broad. Superb layers of fruit and spice, smoke and wood—Mayacamas-style. A stunning wine and well worth the price.

      Cape Classics Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2011
      ($14.99, specialty listing)
      On the back label: “packed with juicy berry flavours and hints of dark chocolate, it makes a versatile partner for everything from cheeseburgers to chocolate pudding.” A unique South African Shiraz, and a tasty novelty at the price. Sweet and round, a bit roasty, strong aromas. Not for every taste.

      Gehringer Brothers Gewurztraminer/Schonburger Classic 2012
      ($15.99 at the winery)
      Forest-fresh, green and lush in the best possible way. A unique blend from the innovative and meticulous brothers.

      Inniskillin Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
      ($16.99)
      Oaky and very big; inky/purple; sweet, ripe fruit with some bite. For grilled pork tenderloin or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding—any kind of hearty meat, really.

      Sunrock by Jackson-Triggs Red Meritage Lot 190 2010
      ($34.99)
      A classic blend: 47 percent Merlot, 36 percent Cabernet Franc, 17 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Round blueberry notes with big, silky tannins; can stretch right through a meat dinner to dessert.

      Hillside Estate Mosaic 2009
      ($39.99 at the winery)
      Good name for a Meritage-style blend. All Naramata Bench grapes: Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Petit Verdot. Soft and smoky; full and deep; silky and big. Winemaker’s note: “Cellar for 10 years or drink tomorrow.”

      Fontanafredda Briccotondo (Piemonte) Barbera 2010
      ($20.95 suggested)
      Crushed raspberries and blueberries to the nose; soft, fruity, and agreeable. The ideal accompaniment for prosciutto and Parmesan and extra-virgin olive oil, and all kinds of charcuterie. Get some to go with some Italian bread.

      A basket of miscellany, some of whose prices I forgot to write down.

      Hillside Estate Old Vines Riesling 2009
      Tropical and überripe. Complex and rich, very nice, and very good fruit. For spicy dishes and soft cheeses.

      McLoughlin & Steele Canadian Rye Whisky
      ($44)
      From the Okanagan, very watery-pale-looking, but the requisite 40 percent, according to the fun label. Smooth to the point of bland but warms you up going down.

      Rafter F Pinot Gris 2011 One of the newer Okanagan labels. Shy nose, licorice-allsorts aftertaste, unique and special.

      Intrigue Gewurztraminer 2012
      ($16.90)
      More mineral than the classic kind. Hints of honeydew, better with foods of all types.

      Layer Cake Garnacha 2010
      A curious hybrid—Australian label for a Spanish wine. More interesting than the same winery’s Merlot.

      Fort Berens Meritage 2011
      ($29, restricted or at the winery, 743 cases made )
      Mostly Lillooet grapes, plus some from the famous Sundial Vineyard in Oliver. Merlot 47 percent, Cab Sauv 34 percent, Cab Franc 19 percent. Twelve months in American oak, six months in the bottle before release. Beautifully restrained tannins; a very long finish. Easily one of the best red Meritages from B.C. For barbecued meats and cheeses. Rich and elegant, but also thirst-quenching.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      Penelope D. Lightbourne

      Mar 28, 2014 at 6:53am

      ...I Love the mention of the Gray Monk Rotberger..brand new to me...will add that to my shopping list today...always a rich offering of choices here, with Jurgen's expert advice ...and for the budget conscious...this premiere list with all reviews under $50.00, makes for shopping heaven...very easy on the purse, and very wonderfully easy on the palate...thanks, ...this is divine...

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