Last week was the trade tasting for the annual Naramta Bench Winery Associations Wine Tasting, by far the most organized 'Sub-Appellation' [since there is no official sub-apps yet] out of the Okanagan. I personally like what is coming out of the Naramata region, and the odd Syrah I have tasted from these wineries have been good, now the fruit may not be 100% naramata but the quality coming out of there is pretty high. John Schreiner Blog has article that the Golden Mile might first get a Sub-Appellation Status but that for another day
I am still trying to figure out for myself how to take tasting notes and transfer them properly to a written version where they sound good, hmmm its all a learning process
My Favourite Wines of the Night was the Laughing Stock Syrah/Viognier, most Pinot Gris were fantastic
NARAMATA BENCH TASTING - Westin Bayshore Hotel (4/12/2010)
This is the Annual Naramata Bench Tasting. A region in the Okanagan which I think is where the good quality wines are coming from. Sits high above a Lake moderating the temperature from the desert like conditons of the Okanagan
Whites, Some Good Wines coming out of here, Good Quality Pinot Gris [if made in the Alsatian Style] Some Viognier doing well as long as not a lot of Oak is used
- 2008 Nichol Vineyard Gewürztraminer - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Med Minus Intensity, Flinty
T: Grapey, Rubber/Petrol, Refreshing Citrus
Conclusion: Not your typical Gewurtz, lots more acidity, no Floral notes mineral tho,(82 pts.) - 2009 Nichol Vineyard Pinot Gris September Ranch - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
C: Light Peach
A: Richness, Cream Strawberry
T: Strawberry Cream, Med Acid.
Conclusion: Very tasty but I almost thought it was a Rose, def had that profile(88 pts.) - 2008 Therapy Freudian Sip - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Fuzzy Peach, Perfume
T: Watery [Might of Been Too Cold]
Conclusion: Thought it lacked Acidty, and tasted watery - 2008 Therapy Chardonnay - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Big French Oak on the NOse
T: Surprsing Oak is not as dominant as I would expect from the nose, Great Acidity, but def oak flavour, then touch of fruit(85 pts.) - 2008 Therapy Pink Freud - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Delicious Fruit, Peach/Apricot, All Stone Fruits
T: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Conclusion: Just great, I totally would enjoy this(89 pts.) - 2008 Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Light, Delicate
T: Petrol, Mineral, Roundness, Med to med minus acid - 2008 Van Westen Vineyards Viognier - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Light Aroma, Flowers
T: Round Texture, Great fruit, Nice Acid, Viognier Bitterness coming through very good tho
Conclusion, really enjoyed this Viognier - 2008 Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Big Peach + Flowers
T: Good Apple/Pear, Great Acid/Balance, Freshness, Roundness(89 pts.) - 2008 Lake Breeze Vineyards Pinot Gris - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Good Fruit, Tart Peach
T: Tart Peach - 2009 Lake Breeze Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Seven Poplars - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Fruit Herbascious
T: Bitter Finish, S'alright(82 pts.) - 2009 Lake Breeze Vineyards Gewürztraminer - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Powdery Perfume, Roses
T: Round, Luscious Goldenfruit
Conclusion: Totally was into this wine(88 pts.) - 2008 Black Widow Winery Pinot Gris Single Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
Note says Really nice solid, must of liked it(88 pts.) - 2008 Black Widow Winery Schönburger Oasis - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Lemon Peel, Flowers
T: Residual Sugar Off Dry Noticable, Good Blance of Fruit - 2009 Black Widow Winery Schönburger Oasis - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
This was a tank sample
A: Cologne
T: Stonefruit, Peach, Pear Citrus
Conclusion: thought was way better then the 08 and the sugar was about the same but not as noticable on this vintage(89 pts.) - 2009 Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc Summa Quies Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: A Interesting Nose, Fascinating [what I wrote down I think it surprised me]
T: Fresh Lemon Juice Candy, Really Good, High Acid for sure tho - 2009 Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
T: Nice Texture, Ripe Fruit, Richness
My type of Pinot Gris more Alsatian in style!(89 pts.) - 2009 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Slightly Closed
T: Great Finish, Great texture coming from the Viognier I think, pick up the nice Sauv Blanc fruit too
Conclusion: Yeah I know terrible notes(88 pts.) - 2008 Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Flinty, French Oak
T: Oak Presence, High Acid, Apples - 2009 Laughing Stock Vineyards Viognier - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
T: White Flowers, Some Oak, Round, Textured
Conclusion: Oak used well, even tho I dont like Oaked Whites, it didnt kill the floral aspect so i am happy about that. Def Has Potential(89 pts.) - 2008 Poplar Grove Winery Pinot Gris - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Low Intensity [Guessing too cold]
T: Good texture, nice acid, fruit - 2008 Poplar Grove Winery Chardonnay - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Closed Nose
T: Good use of Oak not over done - 2008 Monster Vineyards (Poplar Grove) Manmade - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Nutty
T: Clean Simple Fruit, Some Creaminess(84 pts.) - 2009 Monster Vineyards (Poplar Grove) Rosé - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Strawberry Candy
T: Good Fruit...something I can't read
Conclusion: Really Enjoyed this(89 pts.) - 2008 Red Rooster Winery Pinot Blanc - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: nice Fruit
T: Nice Round Texture, Peachy, Good Acid - 2008 Red Rooster Winery Gewürztraminer Reserve - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
T: Residual Sugar noticeable, Crystalized Fruit, Good round texture - 2008 Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
No Greenness, Citrus, High Acid
Enjoyable(84 pts.) - 2008 Township 7 Chardonnay Unoaked - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Mineral
T: Mineral, Roundness, Citrusy
Conclusion: I really did enjoy this, I would recommend this for sure and a good price too i think(87 pts.)
Reds are good as long as they stay away from Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab Franc / Merlot Blends good stuff
- 2005 Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
Polarizing Wine of the Night, I liked it others not so much
A: Good Fruit, High Quality Red Fruit
T: Good Acid, Red Fruit, Med Tannins but not harsh
Conclusion: I found this approachable other found this had more noticeable tannins then the 06 - 2006 Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
Polarizing Wine, People loved, some were meh, some disliked
A: Good Quality Red Fruit Thumbs up!
T: Good Acid, Big Tannins, Just way to young
Conclusion: See Potentional for sure - 2008 Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Summa Quies Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
C: Med(-) Ruby
A: Nice Ripe Pinot Fruit
T: Sour Creamy Cherry, Very Fruit Driven
Conclusion: Has Potential, Oak needs to integrate really tho before drinking(89 pts.) - 2007 Howling Bluff Sin Cera Summa Quies Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Coffee
T: Good Fruit, Balance, Grape [Good Type tho], Coffee
Conclusion: Could use a little less Oak but its not like hey look at my oak(88 pts.) - 2007 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Nice Fruit
T: 'Salty' , Red Cherry - 2007 Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
after tasting this last year defeintly showing IMO awesome, starting to open up on the nose, Pencil Shaving oh yeah. Tasting Sweet Beautiful Tannins, good cherry nice stuff(89 pts.) - 2008 Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah/Viognier - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: Absolutlu Just Beautiful, Flowers, Caramel, Meaty, Red/Dark Fruit!
T: Good Acid, LONG Finish, Nice Texture some Vanilla
Conclusion: Yup I am buying its just gorgeous(92 pts.) - 2006 Poplar Grove Winery Merlot - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
A: High Toned Red Fruit
T: Med+ [Silky Tannins] Red Fruit - 2006 Poplar Grove Winery Cabernet Franc - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
I tasted but no notes and don't remember ah well - 2006 Poplar Grove Winery The Legacy - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley
T: Good fruit, and tannins [shrug] - 2008 Red Rooster Winery Cabernet-Merlot - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Coffee, Veg, Hoisin/Soy
T: Vanilla, Cherry, Stalky, Caramel
Conclusion: Has those green notes you are going to find in a BC Cab Sauv, and use of oak is noticable - 2007 Red Rooster Winery Meritage - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Vanilla
T: Nope
Doesn't work do not liek at all(79 pts.) - 2006 D'Angelo Estates Pinot Noir - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA
A: Fig, Prunes, Very Dark
T: Red Cherry, Warm, Big Tannin, Chewy
Conclusion: Not something I associate with a Pinot Noir, very big and Chewy(85 pts.) - 2005 D'Angelo Estates Merlot Cabernet - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: High Tone Fruit, Veg
T: Soft Cherry
Conclusion: QPR this is a great value, the high quality fruit with the veg goes, I mean if your using Cab in the Okanagan you are most likly going to get those veg notes(86 pts.) - 2007 D'Angelo Estates Tempranillo - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
A: Smell is muted
T: High Acid, Sour Cherry, Chalky
Conclusion: Surprised me this actually a tempranillo, and I think it could work in the Okanagan with that High Heat it gets, it may actually work(87 pts.) - 2005 D'Angelo Estates Sette Coppa - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
Really Nice Balance, Good Acid Really Nice
Couple other people I know form the tasting really thought this was Really good too(88 pts.)
