“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
The holiday season without the wines of Vanessa Vineyard would be like no Santa Claus! Vanessa wines are a must have anytime but especially so during the holidays when only the very best will do. There is something very special about Similkameen wines, the terroir, the climate, the ruggedness of the terrain all factors in making such exceptional wine.
These are gifts for the special wine lovers on your list, those that appreciate good winemaking and excellent results that never disappoint.
The wines we highly recommend:
2018 Right Bank
Flavour Profile
Our Right Bank is a Merlot-dominant wine with small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in for complexity. The nose shows ripe cherry, mixed red berries, clove, and dried rosemary. The full rich pallet is filled with black cherry, plum, blueberry, and spice on the long, powerful finish. The blend shows the fine balance, intensity and elegance of the Similkameen.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. This cuvée is almost entirely comprised of free run juice with only a small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. The individual varietals were barrel aged for 8 months prior to blending, then aged an additional 12 months in American and French oak barrels that were medium-plus toast. Beautiful integration of the soil minerality gives the wine exceptional character and quality. Only 24 barrels produced.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
2o18 Meritage
Flavour Profile
Our Meritage is a Cabernet-dominant blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The nose balances red plum, cassis, cedar, and dried herbs. The palate is elegant and full bodied with notes of ripe raspberry, blueberry, savoury herbs, and a hint of smoke with a long rich finish.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. This vintage is almost entirely comprised of free run juice with only a very small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. Each varietal was individually fermented, and barrel aged for 8 months. The small lots were then carefully blended, and the final assemblage was aged 12 additional months in American and French oak of which 40% were new barrels. Beautiful integration of the soil minerality gives the wine exceptional character and quality. Only 31 barrels produced.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
2018 Syrah
Flavour Profile
Our Syrah shows the power, texture, complexity, and elegance of the Similkameen. It was co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier in the classic Rhône style. The nose balances ripe damson plum, blackberry, and vanilla. The palate is complex with flavours of blackberry, plum, fig, fresh herbs, and black peppercorn. A full body with a lovely rich texture and a balanced crisp acidity leads to a very silky long finish.
Winemaking
Crafted from only 100% estate grown and hand-picked fruit. The grapes were destemmed and underwent a gentle crush before small-batch fermentation and hand punch down to maximize flavour and extraction. A small percentage of Viognier was co-fermented with the Syrah in the traditional Northern Rhône style. This vintage is almost entirely composed of free run juice with only a very small quantity of pressed juice added to balance the tannins. Our Syrah was then aged for 20 months in a combination of new and used oak barrels, 60% being American oak and 40% being French oak. Only 27 barrels produced.
Growing Conditions
A long, moderate growing season started on schedule, yet with warmer than average spring temperatures. Cooler summer temperatures led into particularly warm autumn days with cool evenings. The results: an early bud break, increased crop sizes and slow ripening that allowed the fruit to fully mature with exciting flavour development for the reds in this vintage. Harvest began right on time, with our harvest for reds finishing in early November. Total heat units for 2018 at Vanessa were recorded at 1730.5 Growing Degree Days, similar to the previous year. The prolonged and mild 2018 growing season gives this vintage unique character and exceptional quality.
VANESSA VINEYARD
Carved from stone, fuelled by sun, a vineyard like no other
Vanessa Vineyard is located in one of the finest wine regions in Canada and is dedicated to producing wine that is true to the heritage of its terroir. Situated on the hillside overlooking the Similkameen Valley, Vanessa Vineyard grows its grapes on 75 acres of sloping, well drained rocky terrain. The vines grow in rows of rock, stressing the plants while absorbing the day heat and imparting that warmth during the cooler nights, contributing to the grapes’ unique character.
Wine notes courtesy of the winery. Images MyVanCity. I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
