“This series features both the BC Wine new vintages and a few favourites”
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2020 Pinot Gris
WINE PROFILE
Winemaking
This veintage was makde with Pinot Gris from our estate and longtime growers, Pascoa and Chahal in Oliver area vineyards. The grapes were handpicked, sorted and destemmed, with the remaining berries left whole and pressed. A long, cool fermention at 13° C for approximately 28 days in stainless steel was followed by a brief 4 moths aging in stainless steel. An early bottling in January retained the bright fruit flavours and aromatics for a beautiful expression of the south Okanagan.
Tasting Notes
Juicy and fresh, our unoaked Pinot Gris bursts with peach and pear aromas. The dry yet lush palate has a lovely stony minerality complimented by wildflower honey, ripe pear and fresh acidity. an enchanting wine, pair with light seafood dishes and orchard fruit summer salads.
2020 Character White
WINE PROFILE
Tasting Notes
A juicy ripeness is highlighted with fragrant aromas of rose petal, lychee fruit and peaches and cream in this vintage of our Character White blend. An irresistible palate follows of ripe orchard and tropical fruits along with a pleasing amount of acidity. Unoaked and joyously fruity, pair with a sunny patio and a fresh peach and Okanagan goat cheese flatbread.
Vineyard Notes
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the south Okanagan. The early part of spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with lighter grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to the concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the fruit to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by then. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year that the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
Winemaker Notes
Fragrant and fresh, this vintage is approximately 2/3 Pinot Gris and 1/3 Gewürztraminer. The grapes were entirely sourced from nearby vineyards including our Golden Mile Bench and Road 7 estates, our vineyard manager’s property and select local growers. All of the fruit was handpicked, destemmed and pressed prior to entering stainless steel tanks. The lots were cool fermented for an average of 31 days, then blended and aged in stainless for four months on fine lees. A wine of Character that is a wonderful representation of Oliver terroirs.
2020 Pinot Gris Viognier
Winemaking
A captivating white blend, this vintage was made entirely with premium Oliver area grapes. The Pinot Gris was sourced from our Vineyard Manager’s
own properties, as well as select local growers. The Viognier fruit is from longtime growers, Fournier and Chahal’s vineyards. The fruit was hand-picked, sorted, destemmed and then whole berry pressed. A long cool fermentation at 13° for 35 days in stainless steel tanks enabled the varietal’s bright aromatics and flavours to really shine. Following fermentation, the tanks were racked and further aged in stainless for 4 months. The final blend was bottled early in the new year to retain the vibrant fruit flavours.
Tasting Notes
Fun, yet complex, this inviting white blend of approximately 2/3 Pinot Gris and 1/3 Viognier shows lovely aromatics of ripe peach, citrus and clover. Waves of honeysuckle, peach, and citrus zest fill the palate, followed by crisp mouth-filling acidity. Unoaked and wonderfully juicy, pair with summer afternoons, good friends and light cheeses.
Unique to select Save-On-Foods (BC)
2020 Cabernet Franc Rosé
WINE PROFILE
Tasting Notes
A pretty Rosé, that showcases the fun side of Cabernet Franc, this vintage expresses vivid aromas of rhubarb, strawberry, watermelon and hints of white pepper. A pleasing and luscious palate follows of juicy rainier cherry, strawberry and candy apple. Unoaked, refreshing and absolutely delightful. Serve well chilled and pair with summer charcuterie plates of cured meats, olives, creamy blue cheeses and fruit chutney.
Vineyard Notes
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the south Okanagan. The early part of spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with lighter grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to the concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the fruit to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by then. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year that the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
Winemaker Notes
The Cabernet Franc for this vintage is sourced from select Oliver and Osoyoos area growers. The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and left whole to cold soak for 4 days on the skins. The fruit was then gently pressed, racked and underwent a long, cool fermentation of 32 days at 12°C. The ferment was stopped just prior to dryness to feature the natural juicy strawberry flavours. The resulting lots were blended and aged in stainless steel for 4 months and bottled early in the season to best retain the concentrated fruit aromatics and flavours.
2019 Character Red
WINE PROFILE
Tasting Notes
Juicy and inviting this vintage displays heady scents of blueberry, blackberry, white pepper, clove and allspice. The palate is full and luscious, filled with a dark fruit basket of Italian plums and blueberries along with fresh pepper and creamy caramel. A wine of character and finesse with a lengthy finish. Enjoy with good friends and try pairing with charred leg of lamb or an Indian spiced portobello mushroom burger topped with smoked Gouda.
Vineyard Notes
The 2019 grape growing season in the Oliver and Osoyoos region was one of remarkable variability, with fluctuating conditions in the winter and fall, but seeing a beautifully balanced summer. Overall Growing Degree Days (GDD) were 1598, above the 20 year average of 1474. Seasonally average temperatures with few heat spikes in the summer resulted in an even growing season overall leading to a great start for harvest. The temperatures in September were somewhat warmer than usual, however we experienced more precipitation than normal. Our picking started September 3 with the last of our table white wine grapes finished on October 2. Our Merlot harvest was completed shortly thereafter, with the last of our reds picked November 4. A severe widespread frost event throughout the entire Okanagan Valley occurred the night of October 9th. Despite this early cold snap, our remaining grapes on the vine were fortunately at the right maturity levels, with desired ripeness achieved. Crop levels were only slightly below normal and as a whole, the 2019 wines are showing outstanding aromatics and flavours, with bright natural acidity, and good colours and structure. We expect our wines from the 2019 vintage to really shine.
Winemaker Notes
Fruit for our Character Red is sourced primarily from our historic estate vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench. The predominant varietals in this vintage are our Italian Merlot along with Syrah and Petit Verdot. Small amounts of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were added to the blend for additional savoury red fruit, peppery elements and to contribute a more dynamic finish. The grapes were entirely hand harvested and hand sorted, then destemmed and left intact to ferment in our Italian Ganimede fermenters. The fermenting lots are mixed gently in a natural process that uses the CO2. After desired colour and flavour extraction has been reached and fermentation is near completion the juice is carefully pressed. The lots undergo malolactic fermentation, then are blended and matured in primarily French oak for a wine rich in texture, body and character.
Harvest Report
From a winemaking perspective 2020 was an exceptional vintage in the south Okanagan. The early part
of spring started out colder than average but by mid-to-late June, temperatures were at or above average. Following a summer that began a little later than usual, September was very warm resulting in our vineyards seeing a smaller than average crop with lighter grape bunches. The vines benefited from a dry September, with a smaller berry size contributing to the concentrated flavours. The warm weather in late September and early October enabled the fruit to reach ideal phenolic ripeness, with our white varietals all handpicked and fermenting in tank by the first week of October. Following a warm start to fall, the weather turned and we saw a rare snowfall and freezing event in the valley on October 23rd. Fortunately, the majority of our red grapes were harvested by then. From a temperature perspective, the 2020 vintage was the 5th warmest in growing degree days in the last 2 decades. Overall, the 2020 season delivered exceptional quality grapes of
a smaller berry size with abundant ripe fruit and beautifully enhanced flavour profiles. It is a year that the quality will be talked about for years to come, producing wines that are cellar worthy.
Wine profiles courtesy of the winery. Images: MyVanCity I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature. Any opinions are my own.
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