Bench 1775, formerly known as Paradise Ranch and later Soaring Eagle, has been rebranded to reflect both a new beginning and its place.
Val Tait, with a background in both viticulture and viniculture, joined the team in 2013 and made great improvements in the vineyard knowing full well that this is where good wines begin. She is passionate about the site and this is reflected in the quality of the wines. “We want to over-deliver on quality while keeping our prices affordable,” Val claims. (from the wineries web site). If you ask me, Val has succeeded in spades.
I recently had the opportunity to taste some of the wines in their current line up. The wines I sampled show a consistent quality with lots of varietal character showing and with lower than expected, but much appreciated, alcohol levels. These are delightful wines that are sure to please anyone who tries them.
Chill 2015
Clear, pale straw in colour with medium-light intensity. The nose shows aromas of honey, peach, melon, pears and citrus. Good balance with good mouthfeel, big and round in the mouth. Peach, apricot, citrus and honey on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a social style wine, perfect for the patio. Serve it with prawns, scallops, shrimp salads, Thai coconut curry soup or a ham and pineapple pizza.
Viognier 2015
The wine is clear and bright, pale straw in colour with medium-light intensity. Tropical fruit, pineapple, white peach, honey and wet stones on the nose. Well balanced with good mouthfeel and lively acidity. The palate shows white peach, citrus, honey and rosewater notes followed by a medium-long finish. Classic viognier character. Pair this with grilled halibut and peach-mango chutney, fresh fruit salad or butter chicken.
Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Pale straw in colour with medium-light intensity. Aromas of green apple and lemon with subdued grassiness. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, well balanced with good body. Flavours of grapefruit, lemon, stone fruit and green apple on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. Elegant with harmony from beginning to end. This wine would be a great match for white fish, seafood, pork cutlets, lemon roasted chicken or a stir-fry.
Cabernet Franc 2013
Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of plums, cherries, smoky oak, cedar, vanilla, spice and a hint of chocolate. Good balance with bright acidity and smooth ripe tannins. Red fruit, black pepper and oak on the palate followed by a medium-long finish. This wine will age well and improve for another three to eight years. Serve this with pork tenderloin or leg of lamb.
Merlot 2013
Garnet red with deep intensity. Red fruit, meaty, spice, dark cherries, plum and toast on the nose. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins and good mouthfeel. The palate shows flavours of spice, black cherry, smoky oak and dark fruit followed by a medium-long finish. This would pair up nicely with BBQ hamburgers, lamb chops, meatloaf or spaghetti and meatballs.
Syrah 2013
Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose is complex with layers of aromas including, raspberry, spice, dark fruit, blackberry, meaty, leather, oak, vanilla and chocolate. Well balanced with integrated smooth tannins. Cherries, raspberry, spice, vanilla black berry and meaty flavours on the palate. Flavours intensity on the medium-long finish. Excellent with BBQ ribs or a grilled steak.
If you are touring in the Penticton / Naramata area this summer be sure to stop by and sample their impressive offerings. Be sure to allow enough time to enjoy spend a while on their patio, which has probably the best view in the Okanagan. Where will you find them? At 1775 Naramata Road. How easy is that?
