Gold Hill whites

The Gill family owns 65 acres of vineyards in the Okanagan Valley, with 24 acres on the Golden Mile and 32 acres in the heart of Osoyoos.

Gold Hill White Blend 2019 (Okanagan Valley)
Blend of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Light straw in colour; aromatic, honeysuckle nose with a note of ginger; medium-bodied, just off-dry, perfumed, lychee, mango and pink grapefruit flavours, exotic and easy drinking, Great length. Drink now and though 2021. (89)

Gold Hill Chardonnay 2019
Light straw in colour; apple with a floral pear skin top note; medium-bodied, fresh, winter apple and lemon flavours; beautifully balanced and lingering. Drink now. (89)

Gold Hill Chardonnay 2015
Medium straw colour; apple nose with an apple blossom note; medium-bodied, richly extracted, apple and pear flavours with a thread of minerality; unctuous on the palate with a long finish. Shows the warmth of the vintage. Drink now. (90)

Gold Hill reds

Gold Hill Merlot 2013
Dense purple-ruby in colour; spicy, cedary, plum bouquet; radium to full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, juicy black plum flavour with toasty-smoky notes and a delightful floral note on the end taste; well-balanced and firmly structured with ripe tannins. Drinking well now and can hold well for 3–4 years. (90)

Gold Hill Syrah 2014
Deep ruby-purple colour; cedary, smoked meat nose with vanilla notes; full-bodied, dry, rich and ripe mulberry flavour with oak spice carried on lively acidity to a rose petal finish. Great length. Drink now or hold for 1 2 years (90)

Gold Hill Charisma Red Blend 2016
(40% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% other grape varieties) Deep ruby colour; cedary, smoky, blackcurrant bouquet with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, sweet black fruit flavours; rich and mouth-filling, fleshy but well-balanced and firmly structured. Evident tannins on the finish. Hold 1–2 years. (89 – 91)

Other wines tasted:

Indomita Gran Reserva 2018

Indomita Gran Reserva Carignan 2018 (Maule Valley, Chile, $17.95, Vintages #16627)
Deep purple-ruby in colour; spicy, black plum bouquet; medium to full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, black raspberry flavour; firmly structured with lively acidity, ending on a dark chocolate note. (90)

Kacaba Unoaked Chardonnay 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $15.95, LCBO #326975)
Pale straw in colour; apple nose with a mineral note; medium-bodied. Dry, well-extracted apple flavour with a lemony finish. Good value. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)

Kacaba Cabernet 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $15.95, LCBO #499384)
(51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Cabernet Franc) Deep purple colour; lightly cedary, toasty nose of blackcurrants; medium-bodied, dry, sicy, fruity, blackberry and blackcurrant flavours with firm but supple tannins and a floral note on the end taste. (89)

Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir 2019 (Short Hill Bench, Niagara, $24.95, to be released in Vintages Feb. 20^th)
Red ruby colour; spicy, toasty, raspberry and tea-leaf nose; medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted, slightly smoky raspberry flavour tinged with vanilla oak. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)

Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2019 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara, $19.95, Vintages #557165, to be released March 20^th)
Bright, pale straw in colour; minerally, spicy, lime and grapefruit bouquet with a hint of petrol; light-bodied, dry, grapefruit flavour with a touch of honey; elegant, lovely mouth-feel with a lively lemon-lime finish. (90)

Henry of Pelham Chardonnay Speck Family Reserve 2019 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara, $29.95, Vintages #616466, to be released May 1^st)
Bright, straw colour; lightly toasty, apple nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, apple and pear flavours; beautifully balanced, great mouth-feel and a crisp, lemony finish. (90)

Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2014 (Okanagan Valley)
(50% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot) Deep purple-ruby in colour; cedary, blackberry bouquet with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, milk chocolate and sweet black plum flavours; mouth-filling, with ripe tannins and great length. (93)

Gustav Lorenz Sylvaner Réserve 2019 (Alsace, $16.95, Vintages #18160, to be released March 6^th)
Bright, pale straw in colour; minerally, floral, peach nose; light to medium-bodied; crisply dry, green peach flavour, beautifully balanced, lovely mouth-feel and great length. Best buy. (90)

Troupis Winery Fteri Moschofilero 2019 (Greece, $14.95, Vintages #647388, to be released March 20^th)
Bright, pale straw colour; spicy, honeyed lychee and white peach bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, floral, peach and tangerine flavours. Great wine to hasten summer! (89)