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Dunham & Froese, which opened in 2006, is located at the famous Covert Farm, just north of Oliver. The winery is a partnership of two couples, Eugene and Shelly Covert and Crystal and Kirby Froese, with Kirby being the winemaker. They honour the friendship behind this partnership by releasing two flagship blends (and white and a red) under the Amicitia label. The word is Latin for friendship. It is a bit of a tongue twister for a fine pair of wines.

Amicitia Red – pronounced ah-mee-CHEE-tee-ah – is a big, bold red built around 64% Cabernet Franc and 17% Syrah, with the other varietals all adding complexity to the blend. The rich aroma recalls a good spice cake. On the palate, there are flavours of spicy black currants, sweet plums, dark chocolate and tobacco, all set on a platform of ripe tannins and earthy minerals. The muscular wine is drinking well now as long as it is decanted, and will be even richer and riper with more age. A tour de force that one can afford.

The 2008 Amicitia White ($24.90) is 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon and 10% Viognier. Kirby also put a lot of work into this blend, fermenting some in barrel. The result is a full-bodied white with an array of tropical fruit aromas and flavours. 88