modern, supple, Fresh.
Established in 1968, Hester Creek is a pioneer of the Golden Mile Bench sub-GI outside of Oliver.
The wine was aged 16 months in French oak.
Notes of vanilla and cassis, licorice and cherry juice are underscored by baking spice aromas. It's a smooth wine, supple in weight with notable freshness. It's approachable and medium-bodied.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 2nd, 2025

Fresh, light, easy.
This new 66-calorie (per 150ml) unwooded Chardonnay from Yalumba is refreshing but definitely on the watery side; not unexpected for a wine that's only 7% alcohol.
Notes of yellow plum and apples, white flowers and lemon lead to a palate that is citrusy and quaffable. Wines like this have a purpose and while It's not something I would reach for first, I think it's a great lower-alc option and you can really feel the difference when you're drinking it.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 30th, 2025

Purity, crunchy, zesty.
Poplar Grove's Cascadia Series project was born out of necessity following the devastating freezing event of 2024, which significantly impacted their estate vineyards and those of much of the Okanagan Valley. In order to continue bringing exceptional wines to customers, they sourced premium fruit from just across the border in Washington State. Despite the origin of the grapes, every other part of its journey--from fermentation to bottling, aging, and packaging--happened in Canada. Poplar Grove selected vineyards from some of Washington’s most renowned AVAs, each known for their unique terroir and exceptional grape quality: Wahluke Slope, Goose Gap, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills.
"We embrace the Pacific Northwest’s winemaking potential and celebrate the ability to craft wines that showcase the best fruit available while staying true to our Canadian roots." ~ Poplar Grove

This Pinot Gris (with splashes of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscat) is a blend of cooler and warmer sites to achieve ripeness but also maintain acidity. It offers aromas of Asian pear and kumquats, honeysuckle and fresh mountain stream. The palate is fresh but has a slight creaminess and boasted lifted sweet orchard fruit flavours. It has a long zesty finish with a hint of marzipan; very satisfying with a lovely purity overall.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 18th, 2025

Snappy, racy, verdant
Poplar Grove's Cascadia Series project was born out of necessity following the devastating freezing event of 2024, which significantly impacted their estate vineyards and those of much of the Okanagan Valley. In order to continue bringing exceptional wines to customers, they sourced premium fruit from just across the border in Washington State. Despite the origin of the grapes, every other part of its journey--from fermentation to bottling, aging, and packaging--happened in Canada. Poplar Grove selected vineyards from some of Washington’s most renowned AVAs, each known for their unique terroir and exceptional grape quality: Wahluke Slope, Goose Gap, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills.
"We embrace the Pacific Northwest’s winemaking potential and celebrate the ability to craft wines that showcase the best fruit available while staying true to our Canadian roots." ~ Poplar Grove

Elderflower leaf, grass clippings, wet stone and lime aromas lead to a snappy palate with grapefruit and lime flavours in the mouth. It's a bit soft in the mid-palate, but the finish is racy.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 18th, 2025

Pretty, delicious, blushing.
Poplar Grove's Cascadia Series project was born out of necessity following the devastating freezing event of 2024, which significantly impacted their estate vineyards and those of much of the Okanagan Valley. In order to continue bringing exceptional wines to customers, they sourced premium fruit from just across the border in Washington State. Despite the origin of the grapes, every other part of its journey--from fermentation to bottling, aging, and packaging--happened in Canada. Poplar Grove selected vineyards from some of Washington’s most renowned AVAs, each known for their unique terroir and exceptional grape quality: Wahluke Slope, Goose Gap, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills.
"We embrace the Pacific Northwest’s winemaking potential and celebrate the ability to craft wines that showcase the best fruit available while staying true to our Canadian roots." ~ Poplar Grove

This blushing rose gold rose is made from Malbec and Muscat. It delivers aromas of wild berries and watermelon, pink grapefruit, orange blossoms and honey. High-toned red berry flavours are layered with fine spice and tealeaf with honey undertones and a lively citrus-y core. A very pretty and delicious rose.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 18th, 2025

Sensuous, elegant, outstanding
Domaine Drouhin, a 235-acre estate, was established in 1987 by Burgundy's Maison Joseph Drouhin in the Willamette Valley's Dundee Hills.
Made from hand harvested estate grown Pinot Noir that was aged in French oak, this outstanding example is incredibly pretty. A sensuous nose is dominated by aromas of violets and raspberry, which are layered with star anise, wild blueberry and cedar. It has a delicate entry and grows more structured mid-palate. It's silky with juicy high-toned red fruit, fine spice and tealeaf flavours.
Lengthy and elegant it's a wine that will show well for 10+ more years.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 17th, 2025

Expressive, supple, harmonious .
Clos du Soleil's estate Celestiale red, is a blend of 44% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. It was matured for 15 months (13% new) in French oak.
The 2021 has quite a bit less Cabernet Sauvignon by comparison.
It delivers cocoa and forest berries, brown sweet spices and wild herbs. Sweet summer berry and spice flavours lead the palate. It's a supple, harmonious and expressive red to pair with hearty pasta dishes, aged cheeses, grilled meats and roasted root vegetables.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 17th, 2025

Supple, concentrated, fresh.
Clos du Soleil's flagship estate red is made from three Similkameen vineyards and the 2021 is comprised of: Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), Merlot (34%), Cabernet Franc (18%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot (7%). The wine was aged 16 months in French oak barrels before bottling.
Notes of cherry pipe tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, dried purple flowers and baking spices lead to a supple and fresh palate. It checks the balance and structure boxes nicely and shows notable concentration with a bright and smooth finish.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 11th, 2025

Brooding, grippy, lengthy.
Okanagan Valley's well-loved Quails' Gate winery produces this quite brooding Merlot delivers charred plums and blackberry, leather, tobacco, roasted spices, vanilla and chocolate aromas. Tobacco and black fruits, toasted oak, that broodiness really comes through in the mouth--with a charry and extracted character. The tannins are polished and it shows good persistence.
Pair: A wheel of Camembert and crusty bread, grilled meats or hearty mushroom pastas.
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 10th, 2025

Sensuous, supple, complete.

From one of Chile's most awarded producers, the family owned Vina Montes winery is located in Colchagua Valley. The east/west situated valley rests in central Chile, south of Santiago. It's been years since I visited the winery and a few since I've tasted one of their wines.
The Wings label symbolizes the two Aurelio Montes (founding, father and his son of the same name) illustrated by the twin wings of Montes' iconic angel. This Carmenere hails from the smaller Apalta region, and Montes' Finca Apalta de estate. This blend of Carmenere and Cabernet Franc (15%) is aged 16 months in new oak (80%) and second use (20%) barrels
Expect a sensuous wine with cherry preserves, blueberry, licorice and molasses, pipe tobacco, roasted red bell pepper and bergamot aromas. The palate echoes the nose with sweet purple fruits, orange peel, tobacco and sweet brown spice flavours. It's a silky and complete wine; delicious, balanced and with good length.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2025 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 10th, 2025