A Napa Valley favourite, perfect for special occasions and gift giving.
Expect notes of rich cassis, smooth dark mocha and toasted spices that are followed with sunbaked earth and succulent undertones. The palate is supple; it has generous fruit, a substantial weight and plenty of rich, satisfying flavours. Plush fruit, spiced mocha with licorice and clove flavours trail across the finish. The finish is long and chocolaty. Delicious!

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 7th, 2012

Napa Valley soil runs in the Wagner family's veins and Chuck Wagner makes his wines just as he likes to drink them, "round, rich and full of fruit." His premium offers plush cassis and black raspberry notes that leap out of the glass and are layered with spice cake, vanilla, licorice and chocolate. Concentrated flavours of plump juicy dark berries, baking spice and sarsaparilla linger long after you swallow. It's an exceedingly satisfying and supple wine with sweet ripe tannins.
Delicious!
This is an impressive special occasion or gift wine.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 1st, 2012

Powerful, masculine, textural.
This vintage, CedarCreek has decided to make single vineyard Pinot Noir from both Block 2 and 4.
Tasting them side-by-side I concluded that Block 4 is more restrained and masculine but with impressive underlying power.
More closed than the Block 2 initially it finally gives up tart cherries and wild briary berry notes alongside tealeaf, forest floor and a whiff of violets. It's more textural than Block 2 and still tightly wound. Bittersweet on the palate - think rhubarb, sour cherry and currents atop spice and cedar. The finish is long and mouthwatering.
I suggest holding this one for a couple more years.
Sold out at the winery, check your local private wine retailer.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 5th, 2014

Savoury, classic, textural.
From 26-year-old vines grown the lower slopes of CedarCreek's Home Block Vineyardand I have to admit, I have a very slight preference for the Block 2 over the 4.
The Block 2 is more savoury; red currants, beet greens, tealeaf, rhubarb and fine spice aromas lead to a palate that is more tangy and angular, but also complex and more textural. It has a youthful yet classic quality.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 13th, 2019

CedarCreek winery, located on Lakeshore Drive in Kelowna, produces organically grown grapes from estate only vines from three sites in Kelowna, and Osoyoos.
The estate's Home Block Vineyard (located at the winery) is widely known for producing exceptional Plot Noir, which we seen in the Block Series (specifically Block 2 and 4) in recent years. Now, winemaker Taylor Whelan's Platinum tier Clonal Series takes it to a new level; he separates the Pinot Noir grapes by clone, fermenting and bottling them as such. They are, as expected, small lot and are sold as a trio, so you can experience all three clones and see what stands out about each. The 2018 vintage trio is comprised of 115, 667 and 777 and sells via the winery for $135.
Clone 115: tealeaf and smoked spices, forest floor and wild sour cherry aromas are bolstered by violets. Silky but still quite tightly wound, it gets fleshier mid-palate with woven earth/fruit/spice flavours. There is a distinct savoury bitterness on the finish. 90-points
Clone 667: Quite mute - delicate notes of wild red fruits, cedar, earth and cocoa shyly push their way through. Wonderful levity in this clone, it has more texture, the tannins more angular and grip the side of the tongue. Dark espresso flavours trail on the finish. Time is this bottle's friend. 91-points
Clone 777: sweet black raspberry and cherry burst from the glass woven with a potpourri of cedar chips and violets, star anise and cardamom, leather and dried herbs. Supple in weight, silky in texture it shows the most expressive palate; sweet red fruit and pipe tobacco flavours notably. Power and elegance, the most outgoing of this trio. 93-points
A fascinating comparison resulting in great conversation.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 24th, 2020

Golden, honeyed, bright.
A very good representation of Pinot Gris with wonderful balance.
Notes of honey, guava, stone fruits, oil of grapefruit and pretty spring blossoms. The palate is crisp but with ripe and concentrated fruit; lush yet citrusy. It has a kiss of fruit sweetness, which is deftly managed by a mouthwatering finish.
Pair: vegetable stir-fry, crab cakes with spicy fruit salsa and coconut curries.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 23rd, 2015

This is the third vintage of CedarCreek's Pinot Noir pink. It is made by bleeding off juice from Pinot Noir grapes while in fermenting tanks (aka saignee), they get this brilliant ruby-hued rose.
It's wonderfully scented with strawberries and cream, raspberry, nectarine stone, orange zest, rose petals and lilacs. I love the concentration; it is tangy and zesty and does have some residual sugar but is deftly balanced. Pristine berries, tobacco and potpourri, spice and citrus zest flavours hang on for a good length.
Pair with friends on the patio, chilled spicy noodles, smoked salmon or pretty much anything you want.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2013

Taut, pprecise, nervy.
This outstanding white is made from a special block of 27-year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
Consistently on-point it leads with racy notes of green apples and lime, grapefruit, crunchy apricots and white flowers atop forest floor and mushroom. The palate is as taut and precise as the nose. It has snappy citrus and tree fruit flavours with lovely slick weight and concentration; the finish is nervy.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 3rd, 2021

Made from a special block of 21 year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
It's zingy and fresh and has a duel personality that allows it to be elegant yet extremely gulp-able. The nose offers pretty aromas of wet stone mineral, lemon drops, honey, ripe orchard fruits and spring blossoms. It has a fine and delicate palate of citrus, tangy green apple and tree fruits. Wonderful focus, only 8% alcohol and the kiss of sweetness is offset with racy acidity.
Excellent job by a winemaker who knows his Riesling - Darryl Brooker.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 1st, 2013

Stylish, racy, focused.
Made from a special block of over 20 year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
It is a heady perfume of freesia and grapefruit, peaches in honey and fresh mountain stream. The palate is tnegy and focused with great tension. Flavours of lemon drops, green apples and still crunchy peaches lead to a mouthwatering finish. It has great bones, a slick weight and long finish. Stylish.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 9th, 2015

Stylish, pristine, nervy.
Made from a special block of 27-year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
Consistently outstanding, this vintage is racy. It has a pristine nose of crunchy peaches, snappy lime, crisp green apples, white flowers and honey. The palate is lip-smacking and nervy, it has concentration and style; the finish is mouthwatering and lengthy.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 6th, 2020

Elegant, racy, crunchy.
Made from a special block of 22 year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
It has a duel personality that allows it to be elegant yet extremely gulp-able. A nose of crunchy green apples, apricot skin, honey and lemon drops and garden flowers leads to a racy mouthful of tangy fruit and citrus, snappy not-quite-ripe peaches, lemon and lime flavours. It has a slightly phenolic finish and racy acidity that keeps your mouth watering long after the swallow...
Pair: Munster, pate, pork, spicy cuisines.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 14th, 2014

<Stylish, pristine, textural.
Made from a special block of over 20 year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
Here, pristine mineral aromas bleed into lime and beeswax, lemon drops and honeysuckle. The palate is crisp nectarine, crunchy green apples, wildflowers and honey. It's a drier style with notable precision and a textural racy finish.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 20th, 2018

Stylish, racy, focused.
Made from a special block of over 20 year-old Riesling vines in what CedarCreek calls a Mosel-by-way-of-Okanagan style.
It is a bit of a life-changing and precise version with its racy green apple, sweet honey and peaches, and fragrant white blossom aromas. Focused and racy it has distinct mineral elements with tangy lime flavours. Complex and poignant with impressive tension followed by a textural finish to add some heft.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 21st, 2016

Pristine green apples, tangerine, grapefruit, honeysuckle and peach aromas lead to a fresh palate that is both tangy and off-dry. Citrus and green apple flavours follow through on the palate, it is zippy and thoroughly enjoyable with very good persistence.
Recommended pairings: fish tacos, BC halibut or spot prawns, frites with garlicky aioli, sushi...

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 27th, 2013

The Cellar Hand wines round out a more premium Black Hills portfolio and this white is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
It's a very quaffable wine with aromas of honey and butterscotch, tropical fruit, exotic flowers and citrus. It has an attractive weight and richness in the mouth with a spicy, nutty and buttery character. Expect good concentration and length.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 20th, 2013

Persistent, creamy, fresh.
A traditionally-made and well-priced fizz with good complexity.
Golden in hue, you can expect aromas of warm brioche and creamed butter, yellow fruits and toasted nuts. It is creamy yet fresh with notable weight, balance and persistent bubbles
Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Pair: appetizers, white meat, calamari holiday dinners, or seafood salads.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 17th, 2019

Seductive, fragrant, engaging.
A classic Bordelais sticky (made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle), aged roughly two years in barrel. Golden in colour and redolent with apricot, honey, dried pears and brulee; it is truly reminiscent of a fragrant patisserie. The palate is a concentrated elixir that is sweet but not cloying; bright acidity adds levity and encourages another sip. Overall, an engaging, enjoyable, and charming dessert wine to pair with fruit tarts, ripe cheeses, and praline petit four.
Serve chilled.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 19th, 2018

Seductive, supple, delightful.

This is a classic Bordelais sticky (made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle) that was aged roughly two years in barrel. I like to serve it chilled, but not enough to dumb down the seductive aromas of apricot jelly, honey, chamomile lowers, lemon meringue, golden pineapple and praline. The palate is equally opulent, but not cloying. Excellent concentration, supple weight and oily texture; it also has delightful acidity to add levity and freshness.
A lengthy sipper, perfect for fruit tarts, ripe cheeses and desserts with a praline base.
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 19th, 2017

Outstanding, dashing, value.
This Merlot and Cabernet blend comes from the 16th Chateau de Courteillac near the village of Saint Emilion. The chateau has been in the family current Rayne family for four generations.
It offers outstanding value. This vintage is quite dashing; plumcake, wild currents, leather and spice, patchouli and vanilla with grilled red bell peppers and a sprinkling of rose petals. It has and appealing umami character, savoury and a little salty with fine spices, pencil shavings, bay leaf and mocha. Very good balance and structure with a long cocoa finish.
Pair: Roasts, lamb and rustic lentil dishes.

©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2015