Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine for the week of Sept. 22, a bottle to cellar and calendar items

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Cornucopia, Whistler’s annual celebration of food and drink, returns for its 26th year in November and will spill out across the month with a full lineup.

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The festival’s Signature Events will complement intimate off-site gatherings and new programming. Tickets are on sale now with more event information at whistlercornucopia.com.

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If your wine store shelves are empty, fear not; the first fall Iron Gate Fine Wine Auction is open online until Sept. 27.

It is the most extensive catalogue to date, full of blue-chip wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and California Cult wines, investment-grade Australian wines and emerging stars from Chile and Argentina.

The Calgary-based auction house is highly reputable and legally delivers your successful bids right to your door. For more auction info, go to irongateauctions.com.

B.C. wine of the week

Tantalus Riesling 2021, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada 

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$27.85 I 91/100

UPC: 626990067412

Purity is the watchword at Tantalus when it comes to Riesling, thanks to their impeccably managed old vineyard. Interestingly the flagship label is the regular Riesling, although there is nothing regular about this wine. The nose is an exceptional mix of aromatics, fresh orchard fruits and floral notes. The palate is all Tantalus with stunning concentration and balance. Look for lime, tangerine zest, juicy fruit, a long wet stone, and a mineral saline finish. You can drink this now or hold it for a decade. It will only get better in the bottle.

Wine for the cellar 

Il Fauno di Arcanum 2019, Tuscany, Italy 

$39.99 I 92/100

UPC: 850202002247

The 1011-hectare Tenuta di Arceno estate sits between Florence and Siena and has produced wines for nearly 3,000 years. According to Roman mythology, an ancient Roman statue, Il Fauno, was installed in the middle of the estate to protect it from intruders. The estate, famous for Sangiovese, is particularly suited to Cabernet Franc and Merlot like this arcanum. The nose is a riot of savoury black cherries with a dusting of mint. Rich, robust, and full-bodied, it is only beginning its life. Black plums and licorice dominate the palate, supported by cedar, toasted oak, and a more savoury, peppery note in the finish. Il Fauno is a super-Tuscan blend of 43/32/20/5/ Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot that you lay away for seven to 10 years. However, wild boar would be a good match if you must drink it now.