Charisma wines

Gold Hill Winery, located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, produces the “Charisma” line, known for being approachable, fruit-forward, and well-priced, including Pinot Noir Rosé, Cabernet Merlot, Malbec, and Pinot Gris.

Monday, March 23^rd: Dinner: Lamb chops with Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2023 (a Portuguese blend of Baga, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional).

Tuesday, March 24^th: Tasted the following wines from Gold Hill in BC and their other label, Charisma:

Charisma Pinot Gris 2023 (Okanagan Valley)
Old gold in colour; toasty, vanilla, pear and hazelnut nose; full-bodied, dry, well-balanced peach and pear flavours carried on lively acidity to a firm finish. (90)

Charisma Pinot Noir 2022
Ruby colour; lifted, cherry nose with a touch of the forest floor; medium-bodied, dry. Fruity cherry and raspberry flavours. A stylish Pinot Noir. (91)

Charisma Cabernet Merlot 2021
Deep ruby in colour; spicy, slightly smoky, tarry nose of black fruits with an oak note; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury flavours of blackberry and plum. (89)

Gold Hill wines

Gold Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Okanagan Valley)
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; grassy, passionfruit nose; medium-bodied, dry, flavours of kiwi, lime and lemon. Good length. (89)

Gold Hill Syrah 2022
Deep ruby colour; blackberry and white pepper bouquet with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, mulberry and black plum flavours; mouth-filling and lingering. (90)

Gold Hill Founder’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Dense purple-ruby in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, firmly structured flavours of black cherry and black fruits, firmly structured with balancing acidity.

Gold Hill Grand Vin 2018
Bordeaux style blend – Cabernet Franc 27.3%, Cabernet Sauvignon 27.3%, Malbec 27.3%, Merlot 18%. Dense purple in colour; cedary, spicy, vanilla, blackcurrant bouquet with an oak note; full-bodied, richly extracted blackcurrant and blackberry flavours, backed by sweet oak and lively acidity. A beautifully balanced wine. Needs time for the tannins to meld. (93–95)

Wednesday, March 25^th: Pasta dinner with a bottle of Speck Brothers Family Tree The Bootlegger Baco Noir 2024.

Thursday, March 26^th: Our friend John came over for dinner. We started with a bottle of La Lumiere Sparkling Riesling 2023. Deborah prepared chicken breast in a Boursin cream sauce. John brought over a bottle of Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2022.

Friday, March 27^th: Dinner: rib steak with Gold Hill Syrah 2022.

Saturday, March 28^th: Dinner: pan-fried salmon with Gold Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2022.