A blend of Syrah (92%) with Viognier, from the hottest vintage on record to date, and from one of the rockiest sites in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, made almost entirely with free run juice, with a small amount of viognier blended in. Matured for 20 months in new and second use American and French oak. Aromas of red and black berries with plum and cherry above some meaty gamey hints. The plush, full-bodied palate rewards with black current, cassis and spicy black pepper notes. This is underpinned by a definite savoury, herbal streak with a distinctive mineral edge and seamless tannins before a lengthy gently savoury and vanilla close.
From another unusual vintage that experienced one of the hottest spring’s on record before a cooler growing season. Made from 100% estate Cabernet Franc, de-stemmed and gently crushed, small batch fermented in French and American oak, aged over 20 months. Upfront black fruit and red fruit with dusty notes and hints of tea and graphite. A superbly balanced palate of herbaceous and spice notes with cassis, pepper and trademark Similkameen minerality wrapped in approachable tannins through the lengthy close.
Medium body with bright acid and chewy tannins with savoury notes of bright plum, graphite and cedar aromas. A bit simple on the moderate finish but honest and well-made. A natural for hanger steak.
Ruby colour. Lightly cedary nose of black raspberries. Medium-bodied, dry, greater concentration of flavour than the QG’s regular Pinot. Rich black raspberry flavour carried on lively acidity to a firm finish of resolved tannins.
Mainly Syrah (28.5%) with 21.5% Malbec, de-stemmed and placed in open-top fermenters in small lots with twice daily punch-down for 8 to 10 days before basket pressing and maturing in French oak barrels. Intense purple in the glass with upfront black fruits and some graphite notes before a generous, well-balanced palate of boysenberry, mulberry and black pepper notes with vanilla and spice hints supported by firm tannins through the lingering finish.
The typical fresh notes of pencil shavings, red plums and raspberries that are associated with Cabernet Franc. Medium body with fresh acid and firm tannins. A pleasing salty black licorice nuance on the moderate-to-long finish. Well-integrated oak. Pleasing now but this wine will shine even more in a few years.
I love the unexpected, and this wine was just that. Tasted blind back in June, I had a preconceived idea when I was told it was a Petit Verdot from BC. How wrong I was! Full body with firm tannins and fresh acid and abundant notes of leather, dark plum and toast. One needs a piece of red meat to fully appreciate this wine. The tannins will mellow with proteins.