I received a selection of wine from Sandhill Wines in the Okanagan Valley.

Sandhill Single Vineyard Viognier 2018 (Osprey Ridge Vineyard, Okanagan Valley)
Pale straw in colour; lightly floral, peach bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach and lemon flavours; beautifully balanced and long on the palate. Drink now. (90)

Sandhill Pinot Gris 2018 (Okanagan Valley)
Light straw in colour; peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, green peach flavour with racy acidity and a touch of almond bitterness on the finish for added interest. Drink now. (88.5)

Sandhill Cabernet Franc 2017 (Similkameen Valley)
Deep, dense purple colour; warm, cedary, green tobacco nose with oak spice and a lifted floral note; medium-bodied, savoury, blueberry, green herbs, black olive and dark chocolate flavours; firmly structured with evident but ripe tannins. Open in 2021–22. (89 now; if cellared 90–92)

Sandhill Syrah 2018 (Similkameen & Okanagan Valley fruit)
Dark purple-ruby colour; cedary, tobacco, black fruit nose with vanilla oak spice and notes of sweet herbs; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry flavour carried on fresh acidity. Lovely mouth-feel. Rink now and through 2021. (90)

Sandhill Single Vineyard Two 2016 (Sandhill Estate Vineyard: 60% Merlot/40% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Deep ruby-purple in colour; spicy, fruitcake nose of blackcurrant and plum with floral and black licorice notes; medium-bodied, dry and savoury, firmly structured with a warm alcoholic finish. A beautifully balanced wine but still tight. Hold two years. (89–91)

Sandhill Single Vineyard Sangiovese 2016 (Okanagan Valley)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, cherry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, tobacco and cherry flavours with an earthy note. Nicely balanced and fresh on the palate. Good length. Great mouth-feel. Drinking well now but will reward cellaring for 1–2 years. (90)

Other wines tasted:

Bookwalter Readers Chardonnay 2018 (Columbia Valley, Washington, $19.95, Vintages #634162)
Very pale, bright straw colour; apple nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, apple and melon flavours with lingering fresh acidity and a lovely mouthfeel. Great value. (90)

Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns 2018 ($16.95, Vintages #168708)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, plum bouquet with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry flavour with fresh acidity. (89)

Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Lodi, California, $21.95, Vintages #135624)
Opaque purple in colour; spicy, cedary, vanilla and black fruits on the nose; full-bodied, juicy, jammy plum and blackberry flavours with a sweet core but balanced by lively acidity. (89)

Beronia Tempranillo 2018 (Rioja, $13.95, LCBO #243055)
Purple-ruby in colour; violets, plum and cherry bouquet with oak spice and tobacco notes; medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and plum flavours; well-balanced, firmly structured with good length ending on ripe tannins. Good value. (90)

Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 (New Zealand, $19.95, Vintages #277665. To be released Oct. 31)
Medium ruby colour; lifted nose of violets and back raspberries with oak spice; medium-bodied, raspberry flavour with a sweet core; great balance and mouth-feel. (90)

Just Merlot 2019 (Vin de Pays d’Oc, $11.95, Vintages #17528, to be released in October).
Ruby-purple in colour; spicy plum bouquet with cedar notes; medium-bodied, dry, juicy, jammy raspberry and blackcurrant flavours; easy drinking, finishing with fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness in mid-palate. Good value. (89)

Inniskillin Cabernet Franc 2017 (Niagara Peninsula, $25.95, Vintages #317016)
Dense ruby-purple in colour; cedary, spicy, blackcurrant nose; medium-bodied, dry, fleshy, lovely mouth-feel, ripe plum and blackberry flavours; well-balanced with a floral flourish on the finish. (91)

Flat Rock Good Karma Chardonnay 2019 (Niagara Peninsula)
Bright, straw colour; apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively on the palate with green apple and lemon flavours. (89)

Meiomi Rosé 2018 (California, $22.95, Vintages #557611)
Salmon coloured; strawberry and watermelon on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, redcurrant and cranberry flavours; well-balanced, fresh on the palate with a finish of orange. (90)

St. Didier Calos Réserve Malbec 2016 (Cahors; $18.75, Vintages #15356)
Deep purple-ruby colour; spicy, lightly cedary, black plum bouquet; full-bodied, dry, earthy, blackcurrant and black fruit flavours with grainy but ripe tannins. A nicely balanced wine. (89)

Graffigna Pinot Grigio 2019 (Argentina)
Very pale in colour with a lime tint; minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, green peach flavour. Easy drinking. (87)