When you remark on the wines you imbibed in 2019, what are some that come to mind that really impressed you? 

I have the opportunity to taste a lot of wine so I'm on the perpetual hunt for bottles that will knock my socks off.

Luckily, there are many from 2019 that really stick out in my mind.

These are the wines that brought me to tears, made me feel like electricity was coursing through my body, or just rendered me speechless. 

Clau de Nell 2016 Chenin Blanc Anne Claude Leflaive

This was poured for me blind with some friends and I immediately knew it was Chenin Blanc, it had that woolly, candied character on the nose with searing acidity on the palate.

Each sip brought to mind new thoughts, and an hour later I realized I had inadvertently written a poem about love.

Zorjan, Dolium Muscat Ottonel, Štajerska, Podravje, 2015

I had the opportunity to visit Zorjan this past June; they take biodynamic farming to the extreme. In fact, we were not permitted to bring any electronics into the cellar, which affirmed their commitment to the ideology. Clay amphorae are buried underground beneath the stars, tapping into the lunar cycle and external forces believed to positively impact the resulting wine. This is an orange wine – so clean, pure and fresh – it is the type of stuff that forever changes you. 

Chateau Le Puy Emilien 2013

One of the oldest estates in Bordeaux, this family has been farming free of chemicals and machines for nearly 400 years.

What's more, the wines are available at unbelievable prices ($30 – $40) which is unusual for quality of this calibre. Be sure to visit their Instagram, where you can have a glimpse into their practices, including plenty of footage of their horses used to manually till the soil in the vineyards. 

Stray 1 – Episode 1 North Naramata

 Likely one of the most exclusive wines I had the chance to taste this year. Made by my good friend Rhys Evans, who at the time was working at Township 7 on the Naramata Bench, but wanted to make his own custom project.

He sourced 1 ton of cabernet sauvignon, allowed it to spontaneously ferment and aged it briefly in neutral oak.

The wine was such a unique interpretation of cabernet sauvignon, lighter in the body than typical examples, offering a freshness not generally synonymous with the variety. Sadly, I don't have any bottles remaining, but I plan to drink more of Rhys' releases in the future. 

Synchromesh 2017 Pinot Noir, Stormhaven Vineyard

 While hanging out with a friend in Penticton over many bottles of wine, this Pinot Noir from Synchromesh was brought out.

While they are generally known for their outstanding Riesling, they also make a few top-notch reds, too.

This is a total glou glou example of Pinot Noir – at only 10.6% alcohol, we deemed it a "Hemingway picnic" wine, the type of bottle you throw in a stream to chill down a few degrees and enjoy on a warm summer day with a fresh baguette and wheel of brie.

What was your favourite wine of 2019?