Inspired by Burgundy, yet features Naramata Bench and Okanagan Falls grapes, and accordingly treated to barrel fermentation and lees contact. Embrace its effusive spice, pineapple and vanilla aromas. Enjoy tangy Meyer lemon and tangerine flavours, enhanced by a toasty hazelnut finish. Bacon dishes beckon.
The Vinemount Ridge appellation is quickly becoming the new “sweet spot” for Riesling production on the Bench. Medium-bodied, this wine is still reserved. That being said, there is lime, mineral, green apple and peach on the nose and palate. There is some residual sugar, but the perception is that of a dry wine, due to the crisp acidity. Drink over the next 5 years.
These ranchers-turned-vintners are in good hands with vineyard manager Richard Cleave (of Burrowing Owl fame) and winemaker Michael Bartier (Okanagan Crush Pad). Fresh, clean lemon and apple aromas. Elegant and well-balanced with mid-palate heft. Complex finish brings out chalk, mineral and lemon zest. Sublime with grilled salmon fillets.
This fine l’Acadie offers excellent aromatic character redolent with grapefruit, peach, green apple and green herbal notes. Bright green fruit flavours are rounded out with a distinctive squeeze of lime, slatey mineral and signature crisp acidity.
This is a full-throttle Chardonnay from the Okanagan. Straw-coloured with a smoky, toasty nose of citrus with barnyard notes; full-bodied, dry and elegant with rich apple and green pineapple flavours supported by toasty oak.
Bachelder’s other single-vineyard Chardonnay from Niagara is a slightly more restrained version. The medium straw colour segues into a bouquet of smoke, toast, cream, apple and pear. The palate features much of the same, as well as a spicy finale and refreshing acidity. Drink between 2013 and 2017.
This has always been my favourite Chardonnay from Tawse. The 2010 vintage, with all its heat, has produced a fuller and rounder wine than recent vintages. Medium- to full-bodied, it is the oak which dominates at this early stage: vanilla, smoke, caramel, spice and cream meshes with apple/pear purée and pineapple. The mouth is creamy and round with excellent length and a long, smoky aftertaste.