Tony Aspler, the Wine Guy

Monday, December 15^th: Tasted Hester Creek Undici 2022, an Okanagan Valley salute to Super-Tuscan blends: 61% Sangiovese, 19% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Dense purple-ruby in colour; toasty, vanilla and blackberry bouquet; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, spicy and savoury plum and currant flavours carried on lively acidity. (Undici is Italian for “eleven.” I asked Susan Burns at the winery what was the significance of the wine’s name. She emailed me back: “The 11 is significant as it represents Vineyard 11. It is our furthest south vineyard at the north end of Osoyoos. It’s known for its hot, dry location, and we source our big reds from here. The sandy soil absorbs the heat very well. With that being said, it cools off very quickly as well. The Sangiovese loves it down there! We call it Vineyard 11 because that vineyard consistently produces fruit that is 11 out of 10.”) Continue reading →

For more than 20 years (since September 20, 2004), I have been writing this weekly wine diary, and for more than 20 years my friend and technical director, James Harbeck, has been editing and posting it.

So I’m dedicating this column to you, James. Take a bow.

And this is the wine I’m celebrating with: a new release from Big Head – a sparkling rosé, a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend. A beautiful balance dry with flavours of raspberry and red apple. (91)

Big Head sparkling rosé

Tuesday, December 9^th: Tasted the following Hester Creek wines: Continue reading →