I had the pleasure of meeting Hillside Winery winemaker, Kathy Malone, last summer. It was the first time I had visited Hillside and it quickly became one of my favourite B.C. wineries. Please about my visit last year HERE.

One month ago, I was set to head up to the Okanagan and do interviews for the Wine Soundtrack Canada podcast. Kathy Malone would have been one of my guests on the show, but life threw my family a curveball , and I am not sure when I will be able to journey up again.

Thankfully, I received some beautiful Hillside wines to review and score. Spoiler alert – these wines are awesome!

• Merlot 2016 Dickinson Vineyard Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley B.C. VQA – a delicious expression of a single vineyard Merlot, this wine boasts integrated tannins and a smooth, silky complexity. On the palate, loads of ripe plum fruit alongside a dusting of chocolate and vanilla. 92 Points
• Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Howe Vineyard Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley B.C. VQA – this is a wine club exclusive and a great reason to join up! The Howe Vineyard was planted in 2007 and the results of this Cabernet Sauvignon are incredible. Notes of ripe raspberry, cherry, chewing tobacco burst on the palate creating a voluptuous wine with complexity, balance and beautiful length. 91 Points
• Gewürztraminer 2020 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley B.C. VQA – I admit, Gewürztraminer is not a variety I often reach for when I am looking to open a bottle of wine. This succulent wine, however, is a game changer. Delicate aromatics in the glass of fresh pear, rose water and lychee deliver a beautiful, off-dry expression. This is a balanced wine with good acidity and a lengthy finish. Currently, my favourite Gewürztraminer in British Columbia. 90 Points
• Mosaic 2015 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley B.C. VQA – the tagline on Hillside’s top-tier new wine label reads ‘small pieces coming together to make a work of art’ – how true. This is a beautifully crafted Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Currently, this is a ‘Mosaic Club’ member wine but will be released to the public late this summer. It is balanced, complex, has integrated tannins and is incredibly expressive. Aromas of cedar, sweet tobacco, plum, raspberry and a dusting of vanilla follow through to the palate. 93 Points.

Thank you, Hillside Winery, for providing these wine samples to score and review.

If you have not visited Hillside Winery yet, I suggest you make it a part of your wine touring schedule this summer.

Christine