Enjoy Chef Ian McHale’s deliciously decadent yet simple country cooking at its finest, brilliantly paired with the rich, mouth-filling wines of The Prisoner Wine Co, a pioneer of California’s most luxurious red blends, at this multi-course feast designed to celebrate the peak of autumn goodness.
2013 Stall Speed (Meritage) 40 Knots Comox, BC $25.90 Made from a blend of Naramata fruit – Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Garnet / black with deep intensity. Dark fruit – raisins, prunes and fresh strawberries, earthy with a faint hint of watermelon. Very good balance with smooth ripe tannins … Read moreWednesday Wine Reviews by Sam Hauck aka @Sam_WineTeacher
In fact I was so excited about the first course options I decided, even before we arrived, that it would be fun and a bit adventurous to start at the top and work all the way through the list, sharing the dishes, of course.
A few of our favourite Chardonnays are fully allocated and the remaining bottles will be heading to our library. Before we hide them away, stock up on some of these great Chardonnays!
Before we began our tasting we took some time to stroll the grounds and vineyards. The vines are amazingly close and it is interesting to take the opportunity to do a little exploring.
On this afternoon the tasting was a prelude to our Tasting Menu dinner at the Liquidity Bistro. I highly recommend and suggest a lunch or dinner prior to or following your tasting to enhance your visit. Both the Vertical Tasting or the Reserve Tasting are a leisurely exercise that takes time to enjoy.
I first was introduced to the wines of Nighthawk, a member of the Okanagan Falls Wineries Association, at the 2018 spring release tasting. The Spring Release Tasting is held in Vancouver annually in early spring and is a great way to taste the wines from this region.
We had a terrific visit and Joe is the ultimate host, so knowledgeable and he made the experience really enjoyable. One of the best ways to enjoy the winery is as a Club 13 member. You can book a tasting in the Castle Tasting Room.
The unique, Pied de Cuve wine is Checkmate’s only unoaked expression of Chardonnay. A modern take on tradition, naturally fermented in ceramic Clayver vessels placed in the Dekleva Vineyard.
For this particular pairing we dined at home thanks to the culinary skills of a family member who had done just a little foraging and market shopping earlier in the day.