Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
Laughing Stock Portfolio
Canadian Red Wine (VQA)
Everything Wine
$59.99
Various locations
In honour of Canada Day this past week, I thought it only fitting to open one of my favorite BC wines. The 2019 Portfolio is Laughing Stock Vineyards’ flagship Bordeaux-inspired red blend, showcasing the exceptional quality and aging potential of the Okanagan Valley. Named in recognition of the founders’ careers in the financial industry, Portfolio reflects the same philosophy as a well-balanced investment portfolio—bringing together the strengths of five classic Bordeaux varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot), the blend creates a wine of depth, complexity, and harmony.
Though the 2019 vintage faced challenges with optimal summer conditions followed by a rainy harvest, the wine shows the strength and quality of production. Sourced from meticulously managed vineyard blocks on the Naramata Bench, the fruit is hand-harvested and double-sorted before spending approximately 21 months in French oak barrels.
Rich and full-bodied, the wine opens with expressive aromas of cassis, dark cherry, and cigar box, layered with notes of mocha, cedar, and subtle spice. The palate is concentrated yet refined, supported by firm, polished tannins and vibrant acidity that provide both structure and balance. Built for longevity, the 2019 Portfolio will continue to evolve beautifully over the next five to ten years, making it an outstanding example of premium Bordeaux-style winemaking in British Columbia.
Laughing Stock Portfolio pairs well with grilled meats such as lamb, steak, or burgers. Although I opened this wine from our cellar, the current vintage is available.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master’s program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass