Vintages Release: June 26, 2010
Quails’ Gate Chardonnay 2008
VQA Okanagan $TBA 14.0% alcohol
Produced from Mt. Boucherie estate fruit, 65% saw only stainless steel while 35% spent 10 months in French oak. Pale gold and luminescent, it’s finely balanced and well integrated with subtle aromas of toast, caramelized apple and light citrus. It’s dry and complex with a refreshing and smooth texture coupled with attractive flavours of ripe tree fruit, pink grapefruit and orange zest. The lingering finish is creamy and fresh. A great match for pasta primavera or warm chicken salad with sautéed mushrooms. (Susan Desjardins)
Quails’ Gate Merlot 2007
VQA Okanagan $TBA 14.5% alcohol
A deep opaque red, this Merlot is produced primarily from estate fruit that was aged 18 months in seasoned French and American oak barrels. The nose is alluring with plummy fruit and spicy, smoky aromas along with a hint of Okanagan sage. It’s well structured, displaying ripe firm tannins along with fresh acidity, ripe plum and cherry flavours mingling with exotic spice and cocoa notes. Dry and full bodied, the wine has an extended finish with lingering traces of toast and berries. Cellar up to 5 years, or serve with roast beef tenderloin and mushroom tarragon sauce. (Susan Desjardins)
Vintages Release: Summer/Fall 2010
Sandhill Pinot Blanc 2008
VQA Okanagan $17.95 12.0% alcohol
Sandhill was named Winery of the Year in 2009—also achieving white and red wine of the year. Half the fruit was fermented in stainless with the balance spending 6 months in French oak. Complex aromas of pear, apricot, lemon-lime with light floral and toast notes introduce this approachable fresh-tasting gem. On the palate it’s bright and crisp with zippy acidity—redolent of fresh tropical fruit salad with a squeeze of lime. It’s light-medium bodied with an extended refreshing finish. It’s also a delight! (Susan Desjardins)
Vintages Release: Fall 2010
Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $31.95 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of dark briary fruit and mixed spice roll from this medium-bodied, nicely textured Pinot. The flavours replay on the palate with black raspberry, spiced pie cherry and red currant galore. The tannin is soft and supple and the finish lip-smacking good, redolent of cranberry and Christmas cake spice. Pour with smoked grilled duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 7, 2010
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2008
VQA Okanagan $TBA 12.7% alcohol
Fermented in stainless and produced from north Okanagan fruit, it’s a clean pale gold. It displays tropical fruit aromas with notes of melon, clover honey and spice. Dry and medium bodied, it’s a fruit bowl of flavour—bright citrus, ripe apple and hints of nectarine. Crisp acidity refreshes the palate through the mid-length fruity finish. It’s a clear choice for wild BC salmon or chowder. (Susan Desjardins)
Vintages Release: September 4, 2010
Gray Monk Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA Okanagan $TBA 12.9% alcohol
Extended skin contact leads to the enticing, expressive aromas—lychee, ripe stone fruit, spice and elusive citrus notes. On the palate the layered ripe fruit flavours are matched with fresh acidity. Mouth filling, round and just off dry, the wine is mid weight and beautifully balanced. It offers a lovely extended finish that replays stone and tree fruits underlain with a refreshing zesty citrus note. This is a great match for all manner of spicy foods. (Susan Desjardins)