Bartier Bros. wines
The Bartier Brothers, Don and Michael, farm the 5.9 hectare vineyard in Oliver, B.C.
Bartier Bros. Rosé 2020 (Okanagan Valley $17.99)
(6% Merlot, 42% Gewurztraminer, 52% Chardonnay) Palest pink with a bluish tint; aromatic, minerally, lightly spicy, red apple nose with a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, tangerine, lychee and strawberry flavours carried on zesty acidity. Long fresh finish. (90)
Bartier Bros. Merlot Cerqueira Vineyard 2019 ($22.99)
(100% Merlot) Dense purple in colour; cedary, rich black plum bouquet with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, full in the mouth, well-balance plum and currant flavours with ripe tannins and a long finish, Great mouth-feel. (90)
Bartier Bros. The Orchard Row 2019 ($36.99)
(47% Cabernet Franc, 24% Gamay Noir, 24% Pinot Noir, 5% Syrah) Deep purple colour; cedary, spicy, chocolate nose with a smoky, toasty, plum nose; medium-bodied, dry, juicy, fruity, plum and cherry flavours, firmly structured with ripe tannins and a touch of minerality. (89)
Bartier Bros. Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2019 ($41.99)
(44% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre) Deep purple in colour; lightly floral nose of blackberries and white pepper with a mineral note; medium-bodied, dry, lovely floral, blackberry flavour with well-integrated oak; beautifully balanced, savoury and fresh. Reminiscent of Cornas. (91)
Other wines tasted:
Pelee Island rosés
Pelee Island Lola Cabernet Franc Rosé 2020 ($15.95, to be released in Vintages on May 29th)
Pink with a bluish tint; a nose of wild strawberries with a mineral note; medium-bodied, just off-dry with a strawberry flavour and perfumed note, (87)
Pelee Island Bella Sparkling Rosé ($18.95, LCBO #11597)
Pale salmon pink in colour; active mousse of tiny bubbles; minerally, lightly floral, strawberry and watermelon nose; light-bodied, dry, strawberry and red plum flavours with a floral perfume. Easy drinking. (88.5)
Sisters Run Shiraz 2018 (McLaren Vale, Australia, $17.95, Vintages #269464)
Opaque purple in colour with a ruby rim; herbal, cedary, peppery nose of blackberries with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry and black olive flavours with acy acidity and a bitter chocolate finish. (91)
Di Majo Norante Cabernet 2018 2018 (Terre Degli Osci Molise, $18.95, Vintages #723742)
Ruby colour; cedary, spicy, tobacco leaf nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, licorice and plum flavours with firm tannins and lively acidity. (89)
