Veteran grower Richard Cleave is especially fanatical about growing only the best possible grapes at his Phantom Creek Vineyard on Black Sage Road. Sandhill winemaker Howard Soon is equally fanatical  about turning those grapes into top wines. Through several vintages now, Sandhill Small Lots one has established itself one of the Okanagan’s outstanding Bordeaux blends. This wine, made from the decade’s best vintage so far, is immensely satisfying.

Small Lots is the term that Sandhill applies to its super-premium wines, always made with limited production. At 532 cases, this is one of the largest Small Lots releases, meaning you should still be able to order some directly from the winery or from the retail store at the Granville Island Brewery in Vancouver.

The wine makes a fantastic first impression, with gobs of fruit in the aroma and on the palate. The mouth-filling flavours show currants, red liquorice and mocha with toasty notes from the oak (18 months in French and American oak). The ripe tannins contribute to the long, lingering finish. This is the best Sandhill one so far. 91