I must admit I had heard good things about Corcelettes but I had not been to the winery and vineyard before this year. I am so glad we took the time to stop here on our last journey to BC Wine Country. Corcelettes is a member of the Similkameen Independent Winegrowers.
The Similkameen is ideally located as a force in the burgeoning grape growing and wine making industry that is BC Wine Country. Nestled in a river valley surrounded by mountains and hills on either side. The terrain is rugged and rocky. When you stand on the balcony off the Tasting Room at Corcelettes you get a feeling of awe looking out towards the molten and steep cliff which is directly behind you. This area is no place for the faint of heart.
With very unique climatic conditions the area of the Similkameen Valley benefits from the river below, an abundance of sunshine and heat during the day, cool nights and the wind.
Grapes aren’t the only thing to grow in the Similkameen and many of us are familiar with Keremeos and Cawston in terms of fruit like the famous Ambrosia apples (the authentic ones are grown right there), and the many fruit and vegetable stands. I stopped on the way home to buy asparagus and in the fall I always stop for apples and the best garlic ever. Late fall Coronation grapes for eating and like so many other things that grow in the Okanagan and Similkameen they are uniquely BC.
Corcelettes was our first stop on our sojourn into spring BC Wine Country. What a pleasant surprise, lovely Tasting Room with the welcoming and friendly Jesce Baessler. Jesce is a one person team onto itself, Sales, Marketing, Wine Shop Manager, Managing Partner and mom to twin girls. Talk about multi-tasking but this former Nunavutite is a bundle of energy with a welcoming smile.
I tasted white, rosé and pinot noir, my travelling companion tasted the pinot noir and red wines. Here’s what we thought along with the winery’s tasting notes (in italics).
2018 Corcelettes Santé
Our quest to bridge traditional winemaking with our modern world is expressed in this festive Frizzante style bubbly wine. Blending Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, the nose bursts with pineapple and orange peel, while the palate is racy with ripe lemon-lime.
What’s your reason to celebrate? Drink chilled and enjoy now- Santé!
This wine’s grapes came from the Upper Bench in Keremeos. I found it fun, zesty, and festive in the glass. Fresh with peach scents. Delicious! $19.04
2018 Corcelettes Gewürztraminer
This wine had the good scents and aroma I expected and love to find in a Gewürz. It is a blend of an early and slightly later harvest. Complex, stone fruit, citrusy and acidic. A nice taste, not sweet but finishes smooth not tart. $15.57
Corcelettes Rosé Oracle
This Provence inspired rosé is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Gentle, whole cluster pressing combined with a cold and slow fermentation created this perfectly pale pink, dry, yet rich and creamy summer time marvel! Hand-picked from two contrasting vineyards to craft fruit and freshness. Oracle is layered with grapefruit citrus and wildflower aromas while bright melon, apple and cranberry keep length and focus to this fun yet serious rosé.
Drink chilled, enjoy now.
Light, not tart but not sweet either. Lovely pale colour. Tavel-like but with more flavour 85% pinot noir, 15% syrah. $19.04
2018 Corcelettes Pinot Noir
Juicy and fruit forward, this Pinot Noir is crafted from two select vineyards in the Similkameen Valley. With a gentle fermentation process and careful French oak aging, winemaker Charlie Baessler is able to express a fresh and balanced Pinot style that provides versatility in both the lounge or in your dining room.
Enjoy now or cellar for 3-5 years.
Just a faint hint of smoky flavour. Sweet tasting but not too sweet. So tasty. A lovely starter wine with sweet aromas. $21.65
My companion didn’t make too many remarks in his little green note book so I’ll just list them here in the order of his preference from very good to excellent starting with:
2016 Corcelettes Merlot
Rich in texture with a traditional elegance, this Merlot is crafted from own-rooted, cl 181 and cl 184 vines hand picked from Corcelettes’ estate Stemwinder soils. Harvested on multiple dates and fermented in several small lots, winemaker Charlie Baessler crafts a Merlot with layers of complexity and depth. This wine is aged in a series of 1000L French oak vats that allow the wine to mature while maintaining it’s identity- Similkameen Valley terroir. Look for a stony, mineral component integrated in soft tannin.
I guess he was thinking of food because he mentioned pairing with spaghetti, cheddar cheese and beef bourgogne. $23.39
2018 Corcelettes Pinot Noir
Juicy and fruit forward, this Pinot Noir is crafted from two select vineyards in the Similkameen Valley. With a gentle fermentation process and careful French oak aging, winemaker Charlie Baessler is able to express a fresh and balanced Pinot style that provides versatility in both the lounge or in your dining room.
Enjoy now or cellar for 3-5 years.
You are not seeing double we both sampled the Pinot Noir. Yep, we both liked this one. He found it pleasantly light but good. $21.65
2016 Corcelettes Cabernet Merlot
More information on each individual Club Package
Tasting notes in italics and feature image courtesy of Corcelettes. All other images, except as noted, MyVanCity. I (we) received three complimentary bottles of wine after our tasting. All opinions are my own, his opinions are evidenced by his list of wines by preference with the last entry being his overall favourite.
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