“In this series we bring you our #FavouriteThings Holiday Gift Suggestions which we personally recommend”
I can think of no better recommendation for Black Market Wine Co. than the one that our intrepid wine reviewer Sam Hauck shared on MyVanCity earlier in 2024.
Not only did Sam enjoy his visit and tasting at Black Market Wine Co. he purchased three wines before he left. That is high praise indeed because you will go a long way to find someone more particular about wine than Sam. You can read what Sam has to say here.
And with that introduction here are our specially selected wines for your holiday gift giving and entertaining.
Secret Society Red 2022
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
This mysterious blend of 4 varietals is selected from our finest barrels to provide a luscious, supple and fruity wine that is approachable right out of the bottle. Aged for 21 months in French and American oak, with a moderate proportion of new barrels to ensure the oak maintain a supporting role in terms of flavour and structure.
Tasting Notes
Like a good secret, this wine is deep and dark and you won’t be able to keep it to yourself! Dark fruity aromas of black cherry and blueberry, with subtle floral and spice notes. On the palate, this wine is luscious and supple, offering flavours of cherry compote, blueberry, milk chocolate and hints of licorice. Nicely balanced between the fruit, tannins, acidity and oak, this brooding mysterious blend is enjoyable right out of the bottle and will cellar for at least 5 years.
Food Pairings
This is a casual wine, so think about casual foods to pair it with. Anything off the barbecue, like a steak, hamburger or pork chop. We think this wine would also be a great match with carbonara pasta.
Wine Specs
Vintage 2022
Appellation Okanagan Valley VQA
Vineyards Osoyoos, Oliver and Kaleden
The Syndicate 2021
Our Flagship Bordeaux-inspired red blend<
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
Step into the Old World through the New World’s front door. This medium-bodied blend is classically structured, but brimming with vibrant Okanagan fruit. An elegant combination of Merlot (51%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Petit Verdot (18%), and Cabernet Franc (13%). This wine was grown in sun-drenched vineyards in Kaleden, Oliver and Osoyoos, and harvested between October 21st and November 1st. Each varietal was fermented separately in small 1-ton fermenters and aged for 30 months in French oak barrels, of which 40% were new.
Tasting Notes
An elegant, well-balanced wine with aromas and flavours of black currant, plum, dark chocolate, cedar and tobacco. Firm tannins with a hint of acidity, and a long finish. Smooth and rich in texture and approachable now, this wine will blossom with another 5 years in the bottle.
Food Pairings
As food and wine always go hand-in-hand at our house, The Syndicate is always destined to be a food wine. We achieved a balanced wine with enough acidity and tannins to enjoy with a variety of foods, especially with grilled or roasted red meats.
Wine Specs
Vintage 2021
Appellation Okanagan Valley VQA
Vineyards Kaleden, Osoyoos & Oliver
Estate Series Merlot 2020
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
The Merlot vines at our Conviction Ridge vineyard in Kaleden were planted in 1985 and produce naturally low yields at less than 3 tons per acre. The resulting wines are powerful, concentrated and ideally suited for long-term cellaring. The 2020 vintage was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
Only 125 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
A bold red wine with depth, concentration, length and complexity. A nose of cassis with earthy undertones of forest floor and tobacco leaf. The entry is firm with lively tannins and acidity that persists. Flavours of cassis, plum, blackberry and black cherry, while the mid-palate offers mocha, cedar, and a hint of vanilla. On the finish you’ll find subtle notes of cinnamon, cloves and cracked black pepper. This is a structured wine that will reward some patience in the cellar.
Food Pairings
In its youth, this is most definitely a food wine. Suggestions include smoked brisket, braised ribs, and grilled ribeye steaks.
Wine Specs
Vintage 2020
Appellation Okanagan Valley VQA
Vineyards Conviction Ridge Vineyard, Kaleden
Estate Series Bacchus 2023
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
The Bacchus grape has noble heritage. A Vitis Vinifera cross between Riesling, Sylvaner and Muller-Thurgau, it produces intensely aromatic and powerful wines. The 2023 Bacchus is made exclusively from grapes grown at our Conviction Ridge estate vineyard in Kaleden. Hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve the acidity, the grapes were lightly pressed and then the juice was fermented in stainless steel to produce a clean, fresh style of wine.
Tasting Notes
This wine offers expressive aromatics that include both orchard and tropical fruits, along with herbaceous and grassy undertones. The palate is round and creamy with nice concentration and flavours of poached pear, thyme, sage, and pink grapefruit. There’s a bit of lime peel on the finish and a flinty minerality that persists to the end of the long finish.
Food Pairings
The freshness, aromatics and crisp acidity enables our Bacchus to pair well with many different dishes. Great on its own as an aperitif, it’s also awesome with coconut poached halibut with lime cilantro gremolata!
Wine Specs
Vintage 2023
Appellation Okanagan Valley
Vineyards Kaleden – Conviction Ridge
Estate Series Pinot Blanc 2023
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Estate Series Pinot Blanc is made with grapes from our Conviction Ridge vineyard in Kaleden. With naturally low yields the grapes show incredible depth of flavour and aroma. Hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve the acidity, the grapes were lightly whole-cluster pressed and then the juice was fermented in neutralbarrels. After fermentation, the wine was aged 8 months in barrel, with batonnage (stirring of the lees) twice a month to build body and texture.
Tasting Notes
This wine has aromas of white peach, green apple and floral notes. Soft and round on the entry, this wine has a striking acidity that keeps it lively and fresh on the palate. White peach, pear, pineapple and citrus lead off, followed by lemon curd and poached pear. The long finish shows notes of lemon peel and raw almond. The rich texture is beautifully balanced between the lively acidity and the creaminess and length of the finish.
Food Pairings
This is a highly versatile wine on the table. The textural complexity, medium body and crisp acidity enables our Pinot Blanc to pair well with many different dishes. Try it with a warm artisan brie cheese, or with Potato-Crusted Salmon.
Wine Specs
Vintage 2023
Appellation Okanagan Valley BC VQA
Vineyards Conviction Ridge – Kaleden
Omerta Rose 2023
Wine Profile
Winemaker Notes
A crisp, dry rosé made from 100% Pinot Gris. The delicate salmon-pink hue of this rosé perfectly disguises the intensity that lies within. Hand-picked and hand sorted, the wine was gently destemmed and soaked on the skins for 24 hours before being pressed. A 7-day period of Stabulation followed, where the juice was chilled, left on the gross lees and stirred twice daily before the onset of fermentation…this builds additional depth to the flavours and aromas. Only free-run juice made its way into this wine.
Tasting Notes
Energetic and lively, this fruit-forward wine has amazing depth and complexity. Aromas of madarin orange are followed by citrus and strawberry notes. On the palate you’ll findflavours of crab apple, strawberry-rhubarb pie, and a hint of pink grapefruit. With a faint hint of sweetness on the entry, the crisp acidity gives this wine a pulse that beats through the long finish.
Food Pairings
Refreshing on its own, our rosé is also a highly versatile wine on the table. The textural complexity, rich flavour and crisp acidity enables Omertà to pair well with many different dishes, like fresh bocconcini salad, grilled Merguez sausages, or creamy goat cheese crostini. Want to see the versatility of this rosé? Try it with a sous vide duck breast, finished in a hot skillet and served with a pink peppercorn sauce.
Wine Specs
Vintage 2023
Appellation Okanagan Valley
Vineyards Kaleden – OPG Vineyard
Fueled by passion | Driven by perfection | Unconstrained by Tradition
Wine notes, bottle shots and feature image (a previous vintage) courtesy of the winery. I receivced complimentary wine to facilitate this feature.
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