Naramata [Okanagan BC] Tasting

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.)

Posted from CellarTracker

A Tinto Velasco Wine [Blened With Syrah]

...the other [group] is the Tinto Velasco variety, in which the predominant anthocyanin is 3-G-delphinidin, the initial anthocyanin in this route. Also, 3-Gcyanidin predominates over 3-G-peonidin in the Tinto Velasco variety due to weak FMT enzyme activity

The last group, which is quite different from the other samples, consists solely of the Tinto Velasco variety. This is characterized by a much higher proportion of 3’5’-hydroxylated than 3’-hydroxylated anthocyanins, which sets it apart from the Rojal, Gordera Roja and Teta de Vaca Tinta varieties. But it also differs from the other varieties in that, instead of 3’5’-hydroxylated anthocyanins predominating, 3-G-delphinidin and its derivatives predominate over all other 3’5’-hydroxylated anthocyanins because FMT enzyme activity is weaker.
Read Full Study [6pages]

Now that I have your attention, firstly let me say I don't fully understand all that technical stuff but its to make a point about this wine.  Especially the first image, the graph, I mean when I saw that [after Google'ing the Tinto Velasco Grape] it made sense as to why the wine tasted the way it did I mean look it is way outside of the range of the "Normal" Grapes, especially comparing to Tempranillo.

The Wine I had was a blend of Tino Velasco and Syrah, the aroma and flavours I was picking up from this wine was so interesting that well it made me think.  A wine so different then what we normally drink, yeah a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are different, but this is just way out there in Left Field, or as the chart shows top middle, in no mans land.

As you can see below from the note below I was definitely picking up Syrah notes, a more Rhone like style, and then the other flavour that just bam hit ya, you don't usually associate watermelon with a red wine maybe a rose.

Blogging Format Tasting Notes

• 2007 Bodegas El Linze Vino de la Tierra de Castilla El Linze - Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla (3/6/2010)
  Colour: Dark Purple
  
  Day 1
  Aroma: Big intensity, the most interesting nose I have had in a while, a unique fruit, Almost Cherry/Watermelon Rind. Like A Lip Gloss you would fine at A Sephora store in Vancouver, little meatyness too
  
  Taste: Earth, Candied Fruit, Watermelon Rind, Cherry, Little Oak Use
  Med Acid, Med minus body, lots of tannins grippy
  
  Day2
  Aroma: Charcoal, Perfume [Almost Quince Like]
  Taste: Meaty, Charcoal, Red Fruit Cherry/Cranberry something Flowery (90 pts.)

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)

Slow to Post - BC vs WA? Wines

Have not posted in a while finding it hard to write, I am just not a writer, heck in high school I was a C average student in English, and A/B student in Math. Started this blog to practice my writing skillz, yeah with a Zed, not a Zee.

That being said Had a mini wine tasting at my place with two people from Seattle, one moving up here we had 8 wines. 4BC wines and 4Washington state. Made a Interesting Night made some oxtail 'Roulade' [Pulled Oxtail with a little star anise, Butter, onion/garlic, Banyuls Vinegar, Wrapped in Cured Sherry Aged Beef]

The best part of having 8 wines between 3 people. Left over wine they both took home two bottles, and left me with 4. Must say Washington Wines have lots of acidity, needs time in bottle plus decanting. and have that Northern Rhone Quality of being less over the top.
The Two BC Reds I bought were excellent drinking now, and last for a couple years. But hands down fantastic drinking now

Poplar Grove Merlot 2004
95% Merlot, 5% Malbec
My last bottle of this Really Showing Well now, If only I could buy some more of these. The Wild Sage/Eucalyptus nose has mellowed A LOT which is good.
A: Big sweet Rich fruit little Rubber, and something we couldn't put on nose on
T: Drinking now beautifully, good fruit, not your normal Merlot, acidity is good all in all thumbs up


Blue Mountain Stripe Label Pinot Noir 06
What can you really say about this wine in that its awesome, its on the bigger side, very earthy, the fruit is toned down nicely balanced creamy/round smooth. A must try

Tantalus 07 Riesling
Petrol going on
Day 2
A: Little Tropical, Rubber
T: Lemon Juice, Round Quick Finish

Paradise Ranch Late Harvest 2005
Chardonnay 70% Riesling 30%
I haven't had this Paradise Ranch before I've had there ice wine the all Riesling one. The Chardonnay does give it that roundness a nose I couldn't pin down, I was going with Flinty but it wasn't really. Riesling gives it a little acidity balance. Good if you want a nice round mouth feeling Late Harvest
DAY 2
A: Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup. No Doubt about it, and my friend picked it up too
T: same as Aroma but lighter

DeLille Cellars, Chaleur Estate Blanc 2007
68% Sauv Blanc, 32% Semillon
I loved this wine, round smooth, melon and tropical fruits. I could drink this all the time. Better then Chardonnay. It is a big wine, held it own to Oxtail Roulade I made

Doyenne 2005 Aix
50% Cabernet Sauvignon 48% Syrah 2% Mourvèdre
A: Sweet perfume, then I found later in the evening Potato Chip nose really interesting.
T: Warm Feeling, Good acidity wish I could of tried this the next day

Trust 07 Syrah Day 2 notes
A: Pepper, Cherry Cola, Big Warm Nose
T: Red fruit good "sweetness", lots of acidity

St Michelle Ethos Late Harvest Riesling 2005
This is why I like Dessert Wines the Acidity just rips through this like no tomorrow so good and balanced
Day 2
A: Celery, Petrol
T: Tropical, Grape Bubble Gum [those cubed one from 10years ago] Good Acidity, Petrolly

SaltSpring Island Vacation Wines (6)

So I went down to my local wine store [Liberity Wine Merchants, Granville Island] Always so helpful, it must help being in a tourist location so that's great. I mean I know enough about wine but I don't know what each individual wine taste like and that's why you need to ask these people what they have tasted and if its any good, and if so is it worth the money 5$ to 100+$

I wanted wines that I generally don't drink, and one expensive one that I would assume I would like [we will get to that later on]. I wanted a Loire Sauv [check] a sparkling [no-check] why no sparkling didn't really want to buy a bottle of champage shrug. Another white was thinking a Viognier Condrieu [check Viognier, no-check Condrieu]. Italian, I don' drink Italian, have been turned off by Sangioveses [check Nebbilio, Check Chianti] And I wanted a Bandol! [check] Because It was summer - Vacation - warm - water front property - just like Provence minus all the people? Then I had some Coronas too but eh that beer is too sweet for me, I prefer Kronenberg 1664

2007 Domaine des Corbillières Touraine Blanc
This was such a nice surprise for me, I went to a NZ wine tasting and really was turned off by all the Green Pepper [under ripe IMO]. This had a touch of that but with a touch of sweetness, lots of fruit just fantastic, the nose translated to the palate which was really good. Ripe Roaring Acidity which I love, which is why on Cellartracker I gave it 92Pts.

2008 Marichel Vineyards Viognier
A Viognier Trying to be a Sauvignon Blanc? As weird as it sounds it was maybe the fact that the fruit was very Sauvignon Blanc with good acidity (with no Greenness). Had Aromas of Zestyness with some Candied Orange Peel Day 2. Floral Notes were more pronounced becoming more Viognier but still not there. Tasting it It got my thinking is this a Viognier or a Sauvignon Blanc. Lots of really good acidity pure fruit can start to taste the alc at room temp. This wine is good but I wanted a Pure Viognier! this would be really amazing to I think someone who liked a Sauvignon Blanc but didn't like those under ripe greenness that usually it comes with. I gave this a 90pts

2004 Mauro Veglio Langhe Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo I have had a Barberesco, which I thoroughly enjoyed and so this was better then that one. At First it hits you with all those Tannins that you are going to get, some fruit. I stopped after that glass, and moved to the Bandol and had a glass of that then came to this again, and now the wine was tasting better maybe because of the fruit of the Bandol made it more palatable? I would of liked to decant this a lot longer tho. I have gave this a 90pts I would definitely like to try it again

2004 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico
This was very nice but not my style because of the spiced Plums, its not a smell I generally like myself but it was good in that sense. Aromas of Stewed Spiced Plums Taste not stewed, initial attack was bubble gum then opened up into good dark cherry touch of spice good acidity. I gave this a 88pts

2004 Bunan Bandol Moulin des Costes
Ah Bandol the Warm Climate wine, the Original Fruit Bomb? This was Pure Fantastic Fruit, not over the top but controlled, it was fruit it was real. Just big dark Jammy (but not over cooked jammy) Really Yummy. This wine I could drink all the time just for shear pleasure I mean, want to open a wine for yourself and for someone who doesn't drink wine you both will like this. Maybe even two bottles! I gave this 91pts

2005 Domaine du Coulet (Matthieu Barret) Cornas Brisse Caillou
This was suppose to be my piece de resistance, the most expensive a North Rhone Syrah! I love Northern Rhone Syrah because of the cooler climate Syrah, then after I drank it I read that Cornas is the warmest of the northern, or something like that! Now I know pfft. I think this would of tasted better if Let it sit for 10years but nope I didn't. Day 1. Aromas of Sugar Fruit, over the top crazy not pleasant to me. Day 2. Got more interesting Of Moroccan Dried Olives like really shriveled salty olives with little splash of Cherry Juice over it (Real Juice not that Sugary stuff from earlier). but the olives were in your face. Tasting wise they both followed the same path. I had a beautiful lamb dinner made from Salt Spring Island Lamb and everything it failed to live up to the expectation ah well. 88pts I gave it 89 on cellartracker I just down graded it. Tho maybe in 10years this vintage will be good.

I am Off to Salt Spring Island!

So I Leave tomorrow for Salt Spring Island, going by BC Ferries really the only way unless I want to fly by float plane but a little pricey for me today.

I have 6 bottles of wine for 4 days, really 2 half days and 2 full days.

Plan to Visit Salt Spring Island Winery, David Woods Goat Cheese mmmm, and buy some Salt Spring Island lamb to go with the wine!

Rhone Gang Tasting Part 2 (Red)

Part 2

Went to a Rhone Gang tasting event put on by Free House Wine and Spirits here in Vancouver, and tried a lot of Rhone Wines, lots of Viognier, Grenache, Syrahs. The wine makers were here as well pouring and talking about their wine which is really cool, If you ever get a chance to get to a tasting or event and the wine maker is there definitely go its worth it and its super fun.

Rodolphe de Pins of Chateau de Montfaucon
Louis Barruol of Chateau de St Cosme
Frederic Chaudiere of Chateau Pesquie

Rhone Reds defintitly have a Distictive Rhone Character, how to explain that I have no idea I am not that experienced. Yet.

Lets Start with Chateau Montfaucon

2006 'Comtesse Madeleine' Cotes du Rhone Rouge: A Young wine needs more time in the bottle to just settle down a TON of acidity bouncing in there like an energetic child.

1998 Cotes du Rhone: This is like Smooth Strawberry Juice going down, with a touch of acidity not a lot left but just enough, this wine just shows that a bottom level wine can age and gets better everything just mellows and becomes Delicious

2005 'Baron Louis' Cotes du Rhone: Violet Colour Taste of red fruit with acidity on the palate still a baby not as Energtic as the Comtesse Madeleine

2000 'Baron Louis': Aroma of Nutty Sherry very pleasant, with Cherry Juice, very Smooth very nice Very Delicious

2007 Monsineur Le Baron: Before I get into the notes this wine is made "Old Skool" way of basically just taking all the grapes in the vineyard (whatever variety they maybe) Putting them in a fermenting vat, and letting to their thing together with natural yeast. This wine has 15 Varietals Rhone, Including Viognier, Oban, Tempranillo[30year old vines in Rhone Madness I know]. Violet in Colour not Super Dark remember there is white wine in here maybe 5-10%. On the nose you do pick up the Syrah, the Cinnamon Bun nose I like to call it has that sweetness, and on the mouth its gentle and nice I mean its a 2007 and drinking very nicely.

Chateau Pesquie

2006 'Les Terrasses' Rouge: 70% Grenache 30% Syrah Taste of Apples and Very Dry Its wierd its a red wine and tsate like apples but Hey I calls them how I tastes them

2005 'La Quintessesce' Rouge: 80% Syrah 20% Grenache Dryer then the Les Terrasses and Bigger fills the mouth very nicely you can almost feel the difference that the ration of More syrah does but its not Syrah as a typical Warm Rhone, these are grown in southern Rhone but on a Mountain I think he said Elevation was 500ft atleast.

2006 'Artemia' Rouge: 50% 80year old Grenache, 50% 50year old Syrah. Aroma of Petrol [Nail Polish Variety] very mild tho] and this was with it not be decanted when I had it decanted it was different but I was basically drinking this becuase I felt this was the best wine here and was drinking and not taking notes. Taste of Red Fruit, Cherry Acidtiy very High, thought this should go with food very well, went and grabbed some blue cheese, creamy brie like cheese and both went extremly well.

Chateau Saint Cosme:

2007 Cotes du Rhone Rouge: 100% Syrah Aroma of Game and Grill Brick [A grill brick is what you use to clean your flattop in a restaurant it has a distictive smell almsot like a smelly beach]

2007 Gigondas: Taste of red fruit sweet and ripe, good acidity

2006 Gigondas Valbelle: 90% Grenache (sorry no notes)

2007 Gigondas Les Claux: 100% Grenache Taste of Sweet Black Tea was pleasant for sure

2006 Saint Joseph: Aroma of grill brick[see above] and strawberry taste of Fruit, nice Tannin Structure but almost smooth

2005 Chateauneuf-de-Pape: 50% Mourvedre Dry Tannins not a lot of fruit on the palate IMO this is a baby and should decant for along time or come back in a couple of years defintily high quality wine tho

2007 Cote Rotie: Aroma of Coffee[hint] syrup, green olives! Taste of Red Currant, red berries very red in the flavour profile in a good way a niec tartness with low aciity


The Rhone Gang

2007 Hold Up: 70% Pinot Noir 30% Grenache Taste and Aroma of Cherry on top of Cherry very approahable for everyone smooth and a hint of creamyness from the oak

2005 Wanted: Aroma is Rhone Typical, Taste of Sweet Cherry

Rhone Gang Tasting Part 1 (Whites)

Went to a Rhone Gang tasting event put on by Free House Wine and Spirits here in Vancouver, and tried a lot of Rhone Wines, lots of Viognier, Grenache, Syrahs. The wine makers were here as well pouring and talking about their wine which is really cool, If you ever get a chance to get to a tasting or event and the wine maker is there definitely go its worth it and its super fun.

Rodolphe de Pins of Chateau de Montfaucon
Louis Barruol of Chateau de St Cosme
Frederic Chaudiere of Chateau Pesquie

Viognier one of my favourite wine variety if not my favourite, its so floral, and perfumie with hints of acidity and apples all the good stuff, has a slightly oily texture, the grape skins are very bitter and can make a Viognier bad if the juice isn't extracted from the grapes fast enough. Also the perfume aspect can be overwhelming for some people.

Chateau Montfaucon Viognier 2007, its funny I tried this when it was on ice and to be it was boring nothing there, then at the end of the show I was talking to the winemakers decided to have another go this time not as chilled warmed it up a bit and it really opened up, Floral, Perfume but Not over the top crazy a nice balance, and the taste like how a Viognier should be (sorry thats what my notes say hah).

His 2007 Marsanne now I haven't tried a lot of Marsanne so it is new to me, I can say this one had some of the chartaristics of a Viognier but toned down, if not even more balance very nice.

Chateau Pesquie 2007 Viognier Has a nose of Light Flowers and the taste of Light Apple Juice very refreshing was served I little to cold for my taste.

There other line they make is La Paradou 2008(There most southern Rhone Vineyard, border of Provence) and you can taste the warmth of Provence The temp range from day to night here is 10C where at their Pesquie vineyard it is 15C and you can taste the difference. I really enjoyed the La Paradou for 16$ Canadian its a steal really.

The Rose (Decided to add this to white section)
Chateau Pesquie "Les Terrasses" Rose Aroma of Game T: Mild light it is made up of 50% Cinsault 50% Syrah(aprox) I perfer my Rose to have more of that Grapefruit taste like Joie Farms.

Chateau Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2007 this wine was also on ice to long and at the end of the show there were to many people around the table to get another taste of this Blanc, only notes I have are aroma of Green Apple Juice.

Over I like Viognier and The Southern Rhone style is very nice some had so much of that perfume nose you could taste it at the back of your throat

California Wine Fair

Went to the California Wine Fair here in Vancouver, Canada lots of wines to drink from, Didn't taste them all some stood out, a lot were good, but nothing special, definitely some creamy chardonnays, had one chardonnay that almost tasted like a Chablis but I don't know the vineyard name it was beside the stag's leap stand but that doesn't help me hah. Pinot Noir were good, lots of acidity on most and nice balance mostly sonoma, some really nice Zins, all the Cabernet Sauv tasted the same Coffee/Cocoa, fruit big, Some were better then others like the Miners.

Bubbly

Domaine Chandon

Blanc de Noirs [Check]

Brut Classic [Check]

Rose, California [Check] Good fruitiness I really enjoyed this I went back at the end of the show to end off on this but they were all gone ah well

Whites

Bonny Doon [Both these stood out really interesting and good]

Albarino 2008

A: Lime "Candy" not over done candy tho hints

T: Lemon Lime Green Apple [Malic Acid I have Malic Acid Powder at work so it tasted like that]

Le Cigare Blanc [Best tasting note for Aroma of the day]

A: Ocean (Beach) Dried Shellfish, Shells, Oyster shells like when they sun dry on the sandy beach.

T: Can't remember forgot to right down hah the nose was to interesting.

Newton

Unfiltered Chardonnay, I liked

Truchard

Roussane, old world stinkyness coming through, good nose / taste, The people around the booth tasting were more excited about this then I was.

There Chard was nice too

Reds

Dutton-Goldfield Winery A really nice show among all their reds. Both their Syrah and Zin were not your typical style and I liked them both, the lady from the winery was up here and she said you don't like the typical wines eh, yeah sounds like me Not liking what everyone else likes hah

Pinot Noir 2006

A: Fruit, Heat

T: Raspberry, Tingly

Cherry Ridge Syrah Definitely would buy

A: Game, Flower, Syrup Fruit (In A good way and I liked it at GV would say)

T: lighter then expected, very Northern Rhone, my style of Syrah no Pepper Bomb (Didn't taste like Aussie Syrah) nice acidity on it nice balance

Morelli Lane Zin

A: Good nose

T: Good finish fruity not your typical Zin I liked it.

Gary Farrell

Pinot Noir 2006

A: Old World Nose (Barnyard / Game / Poop Combo Kinda)

T: Lots of Fruity and Acidity Blackberry Black Cherry very Balanced also very nice

Justin Vineyard

All Wines were good the Syrah my notes have Cherry with a hint of Greenness I think it was a vegetable or a herb but couldn't nail it down

Miner Family Vineyard

Probably the Best of the Cab Sauv I tasted at the show then again they were 100 and 120$ bottle prices (Remember Canadian BCLD mark up 117%)

Cab 2006

The Oracle 2005, The Big Boy Wine

Patz & Hall Wine Co.

Jenkins Ranch Pinot Noir 2007

A: B-O (yes body odor hah)

T: Nice Fruit, Acid really nice Balance.

Stags' Leap Winery (Not Stag's Leap)

Petit Syrah 2005 One of my Favorite of the Show.

A: Interesting Nose, Could not nail down the aromas.

T: Coffee, Sugar (Not over done)

Truchard (Red)

Pinot Noir 2005

A: Stinky Dirt

T: Creamy, Fruit, Acid Nice Balance hint of Bitterness

Cab Sauv 2005

Coffee Grounds, Big Tannins, Really smooth

Best of Show

Bonny Doon Albarino

The Chablis Tasting Chard If I remember what it was

Stags' Leap Petit Syrah

Dutton-Goldfield Winery Cherry Ridge Syrah

Food and Air Defiantly the way to go!

First of all I would decant this wine for an hour to two hours in decanter (I have a large base decanter) or at least a couple hours if just opening the bottle.
That being said the colour when first poured comes out light (Im thinking it is young vines) had defintily has the colour of it being sitting in oak (21months says the label)
The Stats:
Poplar Grove Winery
Syrah 2005
100% Syrah
21 Months in French Oak
8 month bottle ageing
475 Cases Produced
13.8% Alc

The nose on first smell is off Dried Sour Cherries, syrupy fruit hint of strawberry leather for sure and a touch of oak. Now when First smelled it had some game notes that I would say you would find in a burgundy red but when I tried it after an hour was no longer there. The oak at about 1.5hr to 2hr came through from the decanter just big wiffs the same smell from the Poplar Grove 04 Merlot, must be the oak they use because it has a smell that is uncanny. Syrupy Eucalyptus notes. Also Notes of leather definitely.
The taste feels like it has a cool climate character like Rhone Valley but really far north not deep south. Notes of tart cherry mixed with cranberries, nice tannins easy drinking now with nice acid which is great for food the finish is medium length.
Now the beauty of this wine is the way it goes with food, I had a tangy Salad and a Rich Creamy Polenta and both went together which is why this is a must have for dinner. If you going to drink this have it with food not by itself it shrines through with food.
Side note: About 3 hours later when I poured another glass the wine was darker no longer as light as I would say