• The 100% chardonnay fruit for the following 2014 HMC McWatters Collection Chardonnay was sourced from the estate’s Sundial Vineyard in the southern portion of the Okanagan on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver B.C. The present Director of Winemaking, Lawrence Buhler, started at the beginning of the harvest for the 2015 vintage and has strong Ontario connections. He began a student in the Algonquin College Sommelier Certificate Program, later graduating from CCOVI at Brock U. in St. Catherines, followed by winemaker at Colio Wines, then moving west to work with Harry McWatters at his various vinous endeavours.

   
HMC McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2014
VQA Okanagan Valley, B.C. $30.95 (488536) 13.9% alcohol
This is rich, almost unctuous with sharp spice, creamy texture and a peach skin/grapefruit pith bite on the lengthy aftertaste. Aromas of ginger, baking spice and oaky notes dominate the nose. It attacks the palate with wild abandon—sharp ginger, lemon curd, baked apple with poached pear and a warm bite on the aftertaste. It’s medium-full bodied, generously textured and certainly not a wall flower or your garden-variety chardonnay. (Vic Harradine)

  
Wild River Pinot Noir 2014
Waipara Valley, New Zealand $19.95 (376244) 13.5% alcohol
This well-orchestrated, approachable New Zealand pinot noir deftly matches silky texture to lively acidity and ripe red fruit. The nose offers aromas of sweet vanilla and spice, red berry and cherry with earthy hints of beetroot. Mid-weight and dry, it flows like satin across the palate, the earthy character and light tannins subtly underlining flavours of tangy red currant, strawberry and red cherry. Clean notes of cinnamon and nutmeg add liveliness to the wine and linger through the flavourful finish. (Susan Desjardins)