Sandhill Wines | 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
This renowned Kelowna winery has been crafting fine wine since 1997. Each bottle of Sandhill wine is made from one of six unique B.C. vineyards — Sandhill Estate, King Family, Phantom Creek , Osprey Ridge, Hidden Terrace, and Vanessa Vineyard. Each vineyard possesses its own magical combination of soil type, microclimate, exposure, drainage and other geographical idiosyncrasies. The complex, subtle, unique character of each vineyard reveals itself in your glass.
Sandhill's winemaking techniques are designed to enhance, not interfere with, the naturally occurring fruit flavors in our wines. Two words you will hear frequently from Sandy Leier to describe her winemaking technique are gentle and non-interventionist. Great fruit, helped along only when necessary using a soft touch, will result in great single vineyard wine from BC.
Wines included this month
November 2022
Enthusiast Red: White: 2021 Small Lots Viognier, 2020 Cabernet Franc
Enthusiast Red Only: 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2018 Small Lots Barbera
Enthusiast White Only: 2021 Sovereign Opal, 2021 Small Lots Viognier
Expert Red: White: 2021 Small Lots Viognier, 2021 Small Lots Sangiovese Rosé, 2020 Cabernet Merlot
Expert Red Only: 2018 Small Lots Barbera, 2017 Small Lots Sangiovese, 2020 Cabernet Merlot
Expert White Only: 2021 Sovereign Opal, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Small Lots Viognier
Master Red: White: 2020 Small Lots Viognier, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Rosé, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Small Lots Syrah, 2019 Small Lots One
Master Red Only: 2020 Merlot, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Syrah, 2018 Small Lots Barbera, 2017 Small Lots Sangiovese, 2017 Small Lots Three
SMALL LOTS VIOGNIER, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Osprey Ridge Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.7%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 316
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Honeysuckle and jasmine, nectarine, and yellow apple.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, stone fruit, tropical fruit, and citrus flavours.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Food Pairing: Ginger-and-soy vegetable stir fry, chicken korma, white pizza topped with spinach, rosemary, and potato, grilled pork chops with maple glaze, and lobster thermidor.
CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Vanessa Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, and Sandhill Estate Vineyard, Okanagan Valley
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,681
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, lightly floral blackberry and blueberry bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury black fruit flavours, well-integrated oak, ending on a note of sweet herbs.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Awards:
Silver - 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Grilled veggie wrap with corn salsa, chicken lo mein, Irish beef stew, hamburger topped with caramelized onions and goat cheese, and slow-cooked lamb chops in red wine sauce.
SOVEREIGN OPAL, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sovereign Opal
Vineyard: Casorso Family Vineyard
Alcohol: 11.8%
Residual Sugar: 15 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 3,222
Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Orange blossom and lychee bouquet.
Palate: Spicy, dry, lychee and ginger flavours carried on vivid acidity. Great length.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Food Pairing: Roasted zucchini and hummus pita pocket, shrimp pad Thai, oven-baked honey BBQ chicken wings, parmesan- and garlic-crusted halibut, and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin on a bed of figs and arugula.
SMALL LOTS BARBERA, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Barbera
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 775
Appearance: Deep ruby-garnet in colour.
Nose: Cedary, black cherry with oak spice on the nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, succulent cherry and redcurrant flavours with a suggestion of oak. Beautifully balanced and harmonious. Lovely mouth-feel and a long finish.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023 – 2024.
Food Pairing: Cedar plank salmon, chicken tikka masala, charcuterie with bold cheeses and cured meats, honey garlic pulled pork, and flatbread with steak, gorgonzola, and mushrooms.
SMALL LOTS SANGIOVESE ROSÉ, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sangiovese
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 225
Appearance: Rose-gold in colour.
Nose: Cherry pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, orange, redcurrant and sour cherry flavours. Fresh and lively on the palate.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Awards:
Silver - 2022 All Canadian Wine Championships
Bronze - 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Gnocchi with sage in butter sauce, Tuscan bean soup with toasted sourdough bread, classic spaghetti and meatballs, broccoli and bacon pizza, and roasted leg of lamb served with smashed rosemary potatoes.
CABERNET MERLOT, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietals: Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), Cabernet Franc (8%)
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, and Vanessa Vineyard, Similkameen Valley
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 10,500
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, vanilla, blackberry and blackcurrant nose with a note of white pepper.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, coffee bean and dark chocolate flavours. Well-integrated oak, well-structured with ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now but will reward with a year or two in your cellar.
Awards:
Silver - 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Silver - 2022 All Canadian Wine Championships
Food Pairing: Baked ziti with roasted vegetables, jollof rice with chicken suya, barbecued pork back ribs with collard greens, bacon-tomato linguine with basil, and beef wellington with herb-roasted fingerling potatoes.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Sandhill Estate and Hidden Terrace vineyards
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,599
Appearance: Clear. Pale straw colour.
Nose: White flowers, tropical fruit, red apple, peach.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Tropical fruit, peach, red apple, orange, lemon-lime zest.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Oysters with smoky bacon vinaigrette, Pakistani zucchini curry, salmon and cucumber sushi rolls, Dungeness crab tacos, and spring pea risotto with sautéed mushrooms.
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