What I've Been Tasting - British Columbia Wines Jan 2026
21 Jan 2026- Details
- Category: What I'm Tasting
Scoring is out of 5 stars
The "+" sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,
but not enough to send it to the next level
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Here are some wines I found on my database at the end of 2025; all wines can be purchased at the venue as indicated, while some wines are unfortunately sold out; I include them anyway, just in case you can find, or can put your hands on, a bottle somewhere. All wines below are from British Columbia, Canada.
Alderlea Vineyards 2023 Pinot Gris ($26.45 - winery)
Pretty salmon colour that delivers peach and other stone fruit flavours plus a real good hit of acidity - wowza. (*** ½+)
Alderlea Vineyards 2023 Lizzante ($29.90 - winery) 
This bottle of traditional bubbles is zippy and zingy, just how I like my bubbles to be. Sure it's fresh and lovely with a whole lotta tasty thrown in for good measure: citrus, green apple, bready and yeasty with acidity that's very balanced and brings this wine to a new level of yum. (****+)
Country Vines Winery 2022 Contact Pinot Gris ($24.14 - winery)
Salmon to orange in colour, which matches what's going on in the glass. Orange, nectarine and fuzzy peach candy - it tastes pretty good and with a little grit on the finish from the skin contact it ends up pretty a pretty well-balanced wine. (*** ½+)
Culmina 2022 Unicus - Gruner Veltliner (sold out)
The interesting part of this wine is that it is a Gruner from BC, Canada - that's where the intrigue stops. It has some grassy and peapod notes with some nice acidity; but there is very little else to get jazzed about. (***+)
Culmina 2022 Viognier (sold out)
Hot Damn, finally something in the Culmina line-up I can get behind. This is pleasant Vio with all the tropical fruit notes that goes with it: pineapple, peachy and tangerine are the most noticeable of flavours, but it keeps giving up more the longer in sits in glass. (****+)
Deep Roots Winery 2022 Reserve Gamay ($34.90 - winery)
The concentration on this Gamay is wonderful and really shows off what BC can do with the grape: big on cherry with notes of white pepper - exactly what it should be. Not the first Deep Roots Gamay I have liked and if past is prologue, certainly not the last. (****)
Dirty Laundry 2022 Pinot Gris ($21.99- winery)
There is a pleasantness of white fruit right off the top: namely peach and pineapple, there's also a seam of acidity that helps to balance that sweet feel from the fruit. Very tasty. (*** ½+)
Dirty Laundry Vineyard 2023 Pinot Gris ($25.29 - winery)
Juicy Gris with notes of floral, peach blossom, apple and even some lemon candies. (*** ½)
Hester Creek 2023 Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon (sold out)
Sweaty notes with some grassy and lanolin components. (***+)
Hester Creek 2022 GSM ($34.99 - winery)
This Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre delivers: lots of juicy raspberry fruit and that is just compounded with the aromas wafting out of the glass. This is a real delight. (****+)
Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine - Cabernet Franc ($29.99 - winery)
Smooth, silky and quite easy drinking: earthy, smoky, cigar box and licorice all play a part in the enjoyment of this one. (*** ½+)
Hester Creek 2022 The Judge ($49.99 - winery)
Merlot dominant at 47% ... this is juicy and fruit forward with just the right amount of spice while tannins drift in and out finishing off with mocha, blackberry and cassis. (****)
Hester Creek 2021 The Judge (sold out)
Tried the 2022 before the '21 and I have to tell you I am liking this version just a touch better. Same 47% Merlot, but the 2021 has developed a smoothness and suppleness: blue and black fruit, mocha-cherry, nice balance, it even has notes of licorice and a touch of pepper. The medium length finish helps to enhance what is already there and the oak plays a nice background role instead of possibly being upfront and in your face. The 14.5% alcohol is well-hidden. (****+)
Hester Creek 2022 Syrah ($29.99 - winery)
A nice complex Syrah with good fruit and spice: Blackberry, cassis and black cherry with notes of chocolate and floral on the finsh. (****)
Hester Creek 2024 Meritage - Columbia Valley Collection ($22.99 - winery)
This is made from Washington State fruit that is true to the fruit from that region; there is plenty of wild strawberry at the core of this wine. Juicy and tasty. (*** ½)
Hillside Winery & Bistro 2023 Unoaked Pinot Gris ($25.00 - winery)
Start here with that pretty salmon colour, move down the line on the palate - first sip - where you get some sweet fruit and also thrown in is a little bitter for balance. The wine then goes for a stroll along the tongue where acidity makes it punchy and jumpy: peach, nectarine and lemon join the fray. This is just tasty as hell and ready for summer sipping. (****)
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate 2022 Okanagan Reserve Pinot Gris ($25.29 - winery)
Comes across as pure apple from start to finish, including the skin - it has it's moment of refreshment and also drinkability. (*** ½+)
Moraine 2022 Riesling ($25.00 - winery)
Here we see some yellow apple, mainly of the delicious variety, plus floral and subtly sweet nuances invading the finish. (*** ½)
Moraine Winery 2021 O'Port ($45.00 - winery) 
Quite possible the best bottle of Canadian Port I've ever tasted. Made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc there's a smoked coffee character to this wine that layers in bittersweet chocolate, cassis and blackberry - so good that Gorgonzola might be required. (**** ½)
Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2017 The Crown Merlot ($45.99 - winery)
Made from Merlot, this faux-Port is a grab on the senses: smooth and chocolatey with notes of mocha and black cherry. Pass the blue cheese. (**** ½)
Privato Vineyard and Winery 2020 Woodward Collection - Grande Reserve Pinot Noir ($86.24 - winery)
What I liked it this bottle was it's simplicity of flavours and aromas: lively cherry fruit, a juicy core that delivers on more red fruit, all with an earthy finish. No doubt this is Pinot. (*** ½)
River Stone Estate Winery 2023 Pinot Gris ($27.49 - winery)
Onion skin colour with dry notes up front: peach pit and apple skin - there's even a hint of pear skin to give it a well-rounded flavour. This one has a serious side to the normally playful Gris. (*** ½+)
Solvero Wines 2020 Pinot Noir ($40.35 - winery)
Juicy fruit kicks things off right from the first sip. Then comes the usual earthy note, some sour cherry and rhubarb also rears its head - wood is well-integrated and does get in the way. Nice job. (*** ½+)
SpearHead Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Okanagan Valley (41.40 - winery)
A pinot that plays both sides of the red fruit spectrum: sour and sweet; it balances them both very well. (*** ½+)
Volcanic Hills Estate Winery 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt ($46.00 - winery)
Zeigelt is not everyone's cup of tea, but this one hits all the buttons for a good one. There's a nice fruit sensation and well-balanced acidity. The finish is smoky-dark fruit which makes this a perfect fit with some BBQ. I totally dug this wine - haven't had a Zweigelt this good since Lailey and Derek Barnett. (****)
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