These Are the Wines That Blew Us Away Last Year

It hasn’t been our habit to round up the “best” wines of the year, in the same way we’ve avoided giving wines scores. We’ve always tried to celebrate what’s unique and compelling such that we think sourcing a bottle would be a happy adventure. And yet, people invariably ask for recommendations for things that knocked our socks off and—who’s kidding who—it’s the first question wine writers, somms and other oenophiles always ask each other when they get together: “Drank anything cool, lately?” Well, we have, so with no formal ranking or numbers, we nonetheless present the bottles that blew us away in 2025.

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1. Martin’s Lane Simes Vineyard Riesling 2022, $66

This wasn’t exactly an out-of-left-field choice. Martin’s Lane has been at the very pinnacle of Canadian winemaking since the day they opened the the nicest winery in the Okanagan. Their pinots are among the best in the country, their rieslings among the best in the world—and I still don’t think they get their due. Even with that, this bottle, daringly done in an off-dry style, still took my breath away with its power, balance and plain freaking deliciousness.

2. Domaine Thibert Pouilly- Fuissé 2018, $62

There may be no better deal in white Burgundy (a phrase that is darn-near an oxymoron) than that stalwart of the 1970s Pwee-Wee Fwee-Say. Its former popularity means that the cool kids sometimes snicker at it as a wine from the past, but in the bottle, it is the magic of chardonnay—all enticing mouthfeel brought to bear with supremely focused acidity—at a reasonable price point. That we can find bottles from this small scale, family-run operation (which is so flipping precise in its execution) almost brings tears to my eyes.

3. Ailm 2021 Blanc de Blanc, $65

The future of the Okanagan is bubbles. Our grapes, with their abundant natural acidity, react well, to the methode traditional (i.e., champagne) way of making sparkling wine and there are a handful of B.C. bottles that easily eclipse some of the mass market champagnes that everyone so adores. This new winery from Quails’ Gate is serious about making serious bubbles—these are fine moussed bubbles, crisp delivery of ultra clean citrus and a bit of age to round things out and toast it up a bit. In five years, this has an excellent chance to be the standard bearer in the Okanagan.

4. Castelo di Ama Chianti Classico 2018, $45

Oh yeah, red wine. Chianti, you have my heart, but sometimes you’re the Goldilocks and the Three Bears of the wine world. The low-end bulk is fine, the high-end Gran Selezione is still finding its elevated place but in the middle, bottles likes this vivid, bright, juicy wonder are so just right. A touch of age gives it a much more august finish to boot, and it’ll still be singing in 2035. In our markets, chiantis in the $30 to $50 range are as sure a bet as you’ll find at the BCL.