 Tuesday, August 24th, 2010: The Similkameen Wineries Association is a group of 8 small family owned properties that have banded together to promote not just their own wines but the area as a whole. Vineyards have existed in the Similkameen for 3 decades but it’s really only in last 5-10 years that we are seeing wines made from fruit grown here. Now the area is growing rapidly. A separate valley from the Okanagan Valley, it runs parallel to Oliver/Osoyoos. During the growing season, the Similkameen is actually hotter than the latter during the day. Other distinguishing factors include the predominance of glacial soils and a strong wind that keeps the vineyards clean and dry. Having attended the inaugural tasting last year, I was excited to catch up with the wineries at the 2nd annual tasting. Kudos to organizer Rhys Pender, Canada’s newest Master of Wine for organizing this event. We look forward to eventually tasting the wines from his recently planted vineyards.
My picks:
-2009 Orofino, Riesling $23
Includes a good portion of fruit from the property’s 20 year old vines. Slightly richer style of Riesling with ripe peach, apricot and musk melon. Alcohol is fairly high but the sugar and acidity is in balance. Perfect turkey wine if you are looking ahead to Thanksgiving. | | |
 -2008 Orofino ‘Beleza’ $34*
Bordeaux blend dominated by Merlot. New oak is apparent but doesn’t completely over power. Dark fruit with chocolate, tobacco and lifted mint notes and a silky mouth feel. A crowd pleaser.
I was particularly impressed with the wines of Orofino. Across the board they are well-made and offer consistent quality. (Amiable owner/winemaker John Weber pictured right).
-2009 Rustic Roots, Plum Wine $19*
Fantastically fresh aromas. Besides the obvious plum notes there is a hint of strawberry and refreshing watermelon. Dry with great acidity. The sweeter Santa Rosa Plum wine is also delicious as is the Mulberry fortified wine. www.rusticrootswinery.com
-2008 Cerelia, Cabernet Franc $25*
Perhaps my favourite wine of the tasting. Fresh and savoury with tobacco, vanilla and sweet blackberry fruit. As charming as the winemaker Megan Mutch. Impressively, this is the winery’s very first vintage. www.cerelia.ca
Also noted: The biggest change was apparent in the wines of Crowsnest Vineyards. Winemaker Ann Heinecke obviously took to heart comments made last year about residual sugar in the whites. The wines are much drier and better for it. Try the Riesling. As for Robin Ridge, I would like to see the wines with a little bit less oak, especially the Gamay. There is beautiful concentrated fruit underneath. Unfortunately I didn’t get around to tasting the fruit wines from Forbidden Fruit! Must learn to talk less.
*Prices quoted from the cellar door. May vary in wine stores. | | |
| Michelle boards C Restaurant’s Floating Dining Room | | |
Click image to close Wednesday, August 19th, 2010: I joined Jeremy Baker, winemaker of Thomas George Estates on C Restaurant’s Floating Dining Room. The lowdown: Jeremy ran multiple restaurants in Toronto and worked for premium wine import companies but his real dream came true in 2008 when he purchased a winery (Davis Bynum) in one of his favorites wine regions. Located in the cooler Russian River region of Sonoma, Thomas George Estates is a small, family-run business specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. While both the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir were stunning, I was surprised that it was the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc that really captivated me. To add to the experience, sommelier Kim Cyr perfectly paired each wine with a delectable five course meal. A stunning day where the sun eventually decided to join us. This is why we love what we do!
The top performers:
-Thomas George Estates, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County 2008, $45-50
Vibrant, lush and pure aromas and flavours of guava and lime. Juicy, balanced and extremely refreshing. A unique style of Sauvignon Blanc that you can’t compare to any other Sauvignon Blanc you’ve had before. Absolutely charming! | | |
 -Thomas George Estates, Viognier, Sonoma County 2008, $50-55
I must admit that I am not a big fan of Viognier. And yet, I was completely seduced by this one. I was surprised by how quickly I finished my glass without spitting. Oups! This Viognier is a testament to how good it can be in the right hands. Beautiful pure flavours of apricot and peach with pleasant bitter grapefruit peel on the finish. Very harmonious. *Fermented in stainless steel and no ML. Explains the freshness….
-Thomas George Estates, Zinfandel, Dry Creek 2007, $50-55
Bursting with flavours of fresh blueberries, red plum and tar that make you salivate. Equally charming on the palate with explosive black licorice and lingering mineral notes. Made from 102 year old dried farmed vines. A fantastic value!
*Also tasted the 2008 Chardonnay Cuvée Inox from Alexander Valley and the 2008 Pinot Noir from Russian River. Both worth the splurge! Solid wines across the board. Well done!
*Available to private wine stores and imported by Stile. For more information about the winery visit thomasgeorgesestate.com | | |
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