Painted Rock Winery

Went to a Painted Rock Wine Tasting this week, one of Okanagans' new premium wines. First the History of this piece of land, was owned by Hillside Estate for approx 10years, never developed, no idea why as it was rated #1 meso-climate [now I know they say its Micro-Climate, but really micro is under every leaf where the grapes grow, Meso is the Vineyard, Macro is the Appellation] by BC Wine Institue, property originally called "BlackHawk".  To Illustrate the how good this site is, In 2009 there was some heavy freezing, Painted Rock suffered no damage, The Vines are sloped so that they go towards the water, where they get a good vacuum effect allowing the Lake Skaha to Moderate the vineyard. Also there is Amphitheater at the back of the vineyard reflecting the heat back into the vines during the growing season, and of course lake reflection where the Petit Verdot is planted

What made me want to try these wines was that the Red Icon blend had a heavy amount of Petit Verdot, 20% in the 2008 Vintage, unheard of in a "cool" climate.  Amazingly these vines were planted mostly in 2005, and the quality of wine coming from such young vines not to shabby. Another interesting point someone made at the tasting was that the Syrah tasted a lot like Walla Walla syrahs when the vines were young, sooo that could mean good things for this syrah and I may have to get on that but right not super fruit forward due to youngness but ya know still tasty

PAINTED ROCK PORTFOLIO TASTING - Wine Vault (5/12/2010)

Whites

• 2008 Painted Rock Chardonnay - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
  C: Pale Lemon.
  
  A: Med+ Intensity Initially oak is on the nose, and was quiet scared because I know this is 100% New French Oak, started to blow off, peachy, pear, toast, burnt popcorn [good!]
  
  T: med Acid, med+ body, med+ finish
  Lemon, Apple, Pear, Mineral, CLEAN,
  
  Conclusion reminded me a Mersault I had couple weeks ago, so good and clean fruit, the Oak Integrates/disappears so WELL, I would drink this wine and Im not a Chard/Oak Fan (92 pts.)

Released Red

• 2007 Painted Rock Merlot - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
  A: Med+ Intensity
  Perfume. Licorice, Dark Cherry/Plum, Spice Cake, High Toned
  
  T: Med_ Acid, Med Tannin[dusty/silky], med body, med+ finish
  Red Fruit, Smooth, Clean, Purity of Fruit, Paired really well with Duck Prosciutto
  
  Conclusion: This wine was showing the best out of the reds straight out of the bottle so good (91 pts.)
• 2007 Painted Rock Syrah - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
  First 6month in New French Oak, then 30% Transferred to American Oak [New] Then rested for 24motnhs[I think]
  
  A: Sweet Caramel, Red Fruit/Stinky/Earth, Brocolli, Fatty, Meaty, Cabbage
  
  T: Round, Creamy, Red Good Fruit, Spice, Earth
  
  Conclusion These vines are only 5years old I think if that, the potential is there I would love to see how this shows with older vines, maybe the 2012-2015 vintage. Its Delicious right now but does not have that depth of Character (87 pts.)
• 2007 Painted Rock Red Icon - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
  33%Cab Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, 16% Merlot, 16% Cab Sauv 15% Malbec
  
  This wine is very tight At the Moment
  
  A: Eucalyptus/Mint, Lipstick, Vanilla, Spice/Pepper, Earth/Stemy
  
  T: Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin [ Smooth Silky Tannins], Good Balance
  TIGHT~ , Chocolate, Dark Fruit,
  
  Conclusion, Needs time very tight

Barrel Sample

This was a Barrel Sample, Final Blend, Now Sitting for another 4 months in Oak

• 2008 Painted Rock Red Icon - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
  !!!!THIS IS A BARREL SAMPLE, Final BLEND still in Barrel for another 4 Months!!!
  20% Petit Verdot, 30% Merlot, 25% Cab Franc, 25% Malbec
  
  A: med+ Intensity, Cherry, Rich
  
  T: Med Acid, Med+ Tannin[Silky], Red Fruit, Opening up with "Sweet Tannins and Ripe Fruit'
  
  Conclusion: Would like to see this affter a year in bottle to calm down, but the Vines are still young and not getting a lot of 2nd'ry Complexitiies yet

Posted from CellarTracker



THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)