“In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”
Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson
For those of us with our feet planted more firmly on the ground our thoughts just may be turning to wine, specifically the wines of the latest Spring Releases. In this series of features, I will endeavour to update you on the new spring releases from some of my favourite British Columbia wineries.
Unless you have been hibernating you’ve got to love this wine. You also know if you love it and you want it you have to act fast! So get your order in without delay.
2021 Poplar Grove Rosé
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Medium light rose petal pink. Aromas of fresh raspberries and apricot combine with an enticing hint of blood orange. A robust palate of ripe nectarines and cantaloupe is well-balanced with delicate citrus notes. Enjoy as a light, fresh opener to an evening or as a stand-alone aperitif.
Vineyard Notes
2021 arrived from one of the easiest winters we have seen with no bud or vine death detected. Bud burst was a full week ahead of 2020 so it was an earlier than normal start to the season. Early spring was dry and cool. A light frost in mid-May occurred but the vines were unscathed. May’s average temperatures were between 20 C – 25 C. First heat arrived the end of May; 40 C in Osoyoos that lasted for 2 days. With only a couple days of rain, it was one of the driest springs on record. The last week of June set records with a 7-day heat dome which brought 46 C in Osoyoos, 44 C in Skaha, and 43 C in Penticton. The remainder July enjoyed consistent heat with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s C. The first week of August saw some cloudy skies due to smoke from fires but the next 2 weeks of August were crystal clear and hot with very little precipitation. August 20th saw the cooler weather move in and 25 C became the norm. September was beautiful, sunny and warm, 25 C – 30 C, perfect for ripening grapes. Whites were harvested 10-14 days earlier than average. Because of the heat dome the estate vineyards were 15-20% down in tonnage but showed excellent fruit quality. The reds were harvested at the normal time with good tonnage. An average temperature of 23 C in the vineyard for October which meant lovely weather for picking grapes. The Munson Mountain Cabernet Franc was the last of the red grapes to be picked on October 31.
Production Notes
46% Malbec, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet franc, 6% Pinot Noir, 4% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon bunches were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Each varietal was kept separate. The extracted juice from the crushed grapes was left on skins for four hours, then cold settled and fermented at 15 C to preserve the bright fruit flavours. The yeast consumed most of the grape sugars leaving 1.0 g/l and yielding a wonderfully complex dry rose.
Other Notes
This wine is meant to be enjoyed upon release. Drink this year into 2023 for best enjoyment!
This is a wine I could drink anytime, only trouble is I never get to find out if it is a fall or winter Rosé because it is gone long before then.
Word to the wise; buy this wine now because you are going to love it!
Lightly delicate with soft, ripe fruit scents that tease the nose. Followed by wonderful acidity and exotic flavours, a bit tropical and a lot stone fruit and berries.
Perfect alone, and makes a terrific offering to the cook in the family. That would be me, and I often enjoy a sip or two while I’m working away in the kitchen.
Pair it with something else in its colour palate, like fresh Sockeye salmon on the BBQ or with a dessert of fresh raspberries in season.
Also available at 48 BC Liquor Stores $24.99 and featured in their Picks for Spring.
Read more about the wines of Poplar Grove here, including my review of the 2020 Rosé.
Winery notes (in italics) My notes (in bold italics) I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
