Wines I tasted this past week:

Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Creek 2 Bench White 2017 (Okanagan Valley; 28% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier, 18% Semillon, 6% Muscat): Pale straw colour with a hint of lime: slightly grassy nose of lemon, green apple and forest floor with a light floral note (Chardonnay dominates the blend). Medium-bodied, dry, rich mouth-feel, well-balanced with tangy acidity that prolongs the citrus, peach and apple flavours on the palate. Drink now or within the next two years. (89)

Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay 2017 (Okanagan Valley): Bright, pale straw colour; lightly cedary, lemon meringue bouquet; medium-bodied, gently spicy with apple and pear flavour lifted with well-integrated oak. Lovely texture on the palate. Drinking well now but can hold 2–3 years. (90)

Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2017 (Okanagan Valley): Bright, pale straw colour; lychee, rose petal and ginger notes on the nose; medium-bodied, just off-dry, exotic, lychee, cardamom and rosewater flavours and Turkish delight; rich and full on the palate with a long clean finish. A seamless wine with true varietal character. Drink now to 2019. (91)

Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir 2017 (Okanagan Valley): Deep ruby in colour; spicy, cedary, black cherry and dark chocolate bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, cherry purée flavour with a raisiny note; firmly structured with ripe tannins and a fine spine of acidity and a warm alcoholic finish. Hold 1–2 years. (89)

Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2016 (Okanagan Valley): Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, vanilla oak and plum aromas with a floral grace note; medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced, savoury, cherry and plum flavour with a firm tannic finish. Drink now to 2020. (90)

Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2015 (Okanagan Valley): Dense purple-ruby in colour; cedary, spicy, black fruits on the nose with a floral flourish; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and cherry flavours with well-integrated oak, ripe tannins and balancing acidity. Quite forward. Drinking well now but can hold 3–4 years. (91)

Sumac Ridge Black Sage Vineyard Merlot 2015 ($28.95): Deep purple colour; savoury, cedary, lightly peppery nose with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, fruity but firm with ripe tannins. (90)

Black Hills Viognier 2017 ($24): Bright straw colour; rich nose of peach with a light honeysuckle note; medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling flavours of ripe peach and sweet grapefruit. Lovely mouth-feel. (91)

Black Hills Ipso Facto 2016 ($49.90 – 40% Syrah, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon): Deep purple colour; cedary, savoury-herbal nose of black fruits; medium to full bodied, dry, plum and blackberry flavours carried on lively acidity. (90)

Black Hills Syrah 2016: Opaque purple-black in colour; herbal, blackberry nose; medium to full-bodied, blackberry and black plum flavours with well-integrated oak and firm but supple tannins on the end taste. (91)

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