Comparing 2012s and 2011s - #22
Comparing 2012s and 2011s - #22
Wines from West Kelowna, Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls and a guest pinot from Oregon
Dark chocolate, velvety smooth tannins, grilled herbs, balsamic note mid back palate. – VS
Well-balanced complex fruit. Tantalizingly subtle! – Jacquelin G
Smoky – dark toast, wood, dark fruits (blackberry, cherry), forest floor. – EU
Mission Hill Red Barn Pinot Noir 2012 | $15.00 | B- ~ 90
Anarchist Mountain Pinot Noir 2012 | $40.00 | B- ~ 90
SpierHead Gentleman Farmer Pinot Noir 2012 | $30.00 | C ~ 86
SpierHead Pinot Noir 2012 | $24.00 | C to C+ ~ 87
Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir 2011 | $40.00 | C- to C ~ 85
Bethel Heights Aeolian Pinot Noir 2012 | $42.00 | C- to C ~ 85
Prospect Winery Rock Wren Pinot Noir 2012 | $16.00 | C to C+ ~ 87
#1 Mission Hill Red Barn Pinot Noir 2012 12.5%
Quality Rating: B- ~ 90 Price: $15
Eye
VS: Clear pale garnet, long thin legs – medium pacing. LC: light, into garnet. BG: Pale, cherry rim. AKG: Garnet. EU: Garnet. Jacquelin G: Crystal clear, medium ruby core and watery rim.
Nose
VS: Clean medium to medium minus initially, strawberry, cherry, cranberry, red currant, hint of cherry cough syrup. Cinnamon, spice, Oak vanilla, toast. LC: Blueberry, warm spice, vanilla, and floral – cranberry BG: Cherry, beet, faint/subdued. AKG: Strawberry, toasted oak, cherries, hint of forest floor. EU: Dark cherry, grilled meat, savoury spices (garam masala). Jacquelin G: Gobs of fresh strawberries, hints of wet forest floor, hints of barnyard. Slightly hot. Cinnamon.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, light body, soft/minimal tannin, higher alcohol guessing 14%, light intensity, medium length, acceptable. Similar on palate to the bouquet. Classic bouquet, refined. LC: Blueberry, spicy white pepper, followed through from nose. Good acid, light body, medium long finish – finishes a bit hot. Feminine. BG: Ripe cherry fruit long wide dark fruit aftertaste. Blueberry, ripe cherry, opens beautifully – knitting together, minerality. AKG: Nice structure structure, a bit hot, long finish, toasted flavour. EU: Rich, cherry, warm spices, balance acid and tannins. Long finish, bright cherry strawberry blueberry. Faded quickly. Jacquelin G: Refreshing acidity, gentle ripe tannins, fruity palate, but short finish! Medium light body.
Notes:
Aged in French oak for 10 months with grapes sourced from Oliver 82%, Osoyoos 10% and Kelowna 8%.
Closure – Stelvin screwtop
Mission Hill Vineyards Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
#2 Anarchist Mountain “Wild Fire” Pinot Noir 2012 13%
Quality Rating: B- ~ 90 Price: $40
Eye
VS: Clear, pale garnet, sheets the glass, legs very slow to fall. LC: Purple tinge. BG: Pale, mauve rim. AKG: Cherry, saturated. EU: Blue edge – purple/magenta. Jacquelin G: Very slightly cloudy with a medium ruby core.
Nose
VS: Clean, light initially, developing. Strawberry, Black Forest cherry, earth, toasty, black pepper, blueberry, Blackberry, ripe fruit (hot climate); sweet vanilla. LC: darker fruit, but no seems money; dusty. I had to work at this one. bit of heat. pomegranate/cranberry. BG: Blueberry. AKG: Smoky, cherries. EU: Blueberry, forest floor, cherry. Jacquelin G: Initially closed, opens up with cherries, warmer, savoury barbecue, fruity and savoury = well-balanced complex fruit. Tantalizingly subtle!
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, medium body, medium plus + alcohol, medium minus intensity, cherry, toast, dry tobacco leaves, dark spice, integrated, black cherry. Finish is long with dark chocolate, velvety smooth tannins, grilled herbs, balsamic note mid back palate. Shows well, complex, vigorous yet refined LC: Acid seems to cover fruit. Shortish finish. Vanilla. BG: Acidity a little low, long blueberry/cherry, some power, and ripeness. Savoury fruit, vanilla. AKG: Great mouthful medium plus acidity, cherry, rich blueberries. EU: Strawberry, cherry, pepper tingle, good acid and tannin balance. Cedar and tannin in the finish. Jacquelin G: Ripe velvety tannins, palate cleansing acidity. Fruity palate really lingers – very elegant medium bodied.
Notes:
A single vineyard pinot noir cropped at 2.3 tons per acre from a half acre block. 2012 was the inaugural vintage of this wine. Made at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls by their winemaker Chris Carson. 70 cases produced. Closure – Stelvin screwtop
Awards:
Gold Medal awarded by Taste BC.
#3 SpierHead Gentleman Farmer Pinot Noir 2012 12.8%
Quality Rating: C ~ 86 Price: $30
Eye
VS: Clear, medium garnet, fast legs. LC: Dark to rim. BG: Purplish rim, pale to medium depth. AKG: Almost purplish/cherry. EU: Dark magenta. Jacquelin G: Very dark ruby core. Pinot? Clear and bright.
Nose
VS: Clean, medium plus intensity, developing. Jammy cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cough syrup, earth, wet dirt, wet leaves, hint of black fruits, savoury – grilled herbs, liquorice, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, pepper, hot climate, hint of red plum, pomegranate. LC: Heat dark cherry, plum. Cinnamon/allspice. BG: Clove/nutmeg/sweet spice. Glycerine, cherry, oak, pomegranate acid. AKG: Sweet, cherry/port aroma, pomegranate, beet. EU: Smoky – dark toast, wood, dark fruits (blackberry, cherry), forest floor. Jacquelin G: Cherries and strawberries, savoury meats, cooked beets.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, medium body, medium intensity, medium alcohol, medium tannins, tar cherry, cranberry, red fruits, liquorice, some sweet spice on finish, bubblegum note. Long length – finishes toasty/Oak, Woody. Acceptable. Not as well integrated as first two wines. LC: Acidic but quite well balanced. Warm spices/ginger. Longish finish – tannic but fine tannins. Slightly hot. BG: Pomegranate and some heat, cherry, savoury, oak, smoky. AKG: Smooth, even, nice dark fruits, blackberry. EU: Bright strawberry, hard fruit candy, light body. Some strawberry jam in the finish. Smooth and balanced. Some wood tannins. Jacquelin G: Acid dominates the palate and finish. Acidity = cherries, cranberries on palate and finish. Tannins a bit rugged. Should, calm down with time but not worth aging in my opinion.
Notes:
From a 4 acre plot at 1550 ft. planted to three Dijon clones of Pinot Noir (828 50%, 115 25% and 777 25%). 10 months in 100% French oak. 97 cases produced. Closure – cork
Awards:
Wine Press Northwest – 2014 Awards
Double Gold Medal
Okanagan Wine Festival – 2014 B.C. Wine Awards
Bronze Medal
2014 National Wine Awards of Canada
Silver Medal
Okanagan Wine Festival 2014 – Spring Competition
Best of Varietal Finalist
2014 All Canadian Wine Championships
Gold Medal
Global Pinot Noir Masters 2014 – London, England
Bronze Medal
Spierhead Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
#4 SpierHead Pinot Noir 2012 12.4%
Quality Rating: C to C+ ~ 87 Price: $24
Eye
VS: Clear, medium garnet, medium fast legs. LC: Purple notes. BG: Pale, cherry rim. AKG: Purplish/cherry. EU: Garnet red. Jacquelin G: Clear, medium ruby core.
Nose
VS: Medium plus intensity, developing. Oak! Woody, gamey, spice, blackcurrant, cherry, raspberry, vanilla chai, green spice – cardamom. LC: Blueberry, pomegranate, curry/Garam Masala, dusty, crayon. BG: Vanilla, Loganberry, crayon/cherry/strawberry, Oak. AKG: Candy, charcoal, oak, red fruits. EU: Strawberry, cherry, very ripe, smoky wood, dusty. Jacquelin G: Sweet fruit, ripe strawberries, blueberries, cherries, mild sweet spices.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, medium minus body, medium alcohol, soft tannins, some red fruit, heavy smoke/toast overpowers fruit, wet leaves, candy element, medium length. Not well integrated. Heavy bouquet but lighter on the palate. LC: sour cherry; Light body, fairly long finish. Acidic but not in the top. BG: Palate doesn’t deliver as on the nose. Acidic cranberry fruit, bit hot, pretty simple and basic. AKG: Very light, seems closed. Quite acidic. EU: Distinct acidity, sweet red fruit, hard candies, vanilla tannin in finish made more intense due to acid. Not integrated yet needs time. Jacquelin G: Well-balanced with ripe tannins, refreshing acidity and grapefruit. Pleasant medium length finish with fruit dominates. Could easily sit in cellar for 2 to 5 years some and experience greater development.
Notes:
Made from three Dijon clones of Pinot Noir (828 13%, 115 67% and 777 20%). 10 months in 100% French oak. 340 cases produced. Closure – Stelvin
Awards:
2014 All Canadian Wine Championships
Silver Medal
Okanagan Wine Festival – 2014 B.C. Wine Awards
Bronze Medal
Spierhead Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
#5 Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir 2011 12.5%
Quality Rating: C- to C ~ 85 Price: $40
Eye
VS: Clear, pale Garnet, a few and slow legs. LC: Purple tones but later. BG: Pale, purplish rim. AKG: Cherry/purplish. EU: Light bright red. Jacquelin G: Clear and bright, medium ruby.
Nose
VS: Clean, medium to medium plus intensity, developing, cherry cough syrup, strawberry jam, raspberry, funkiness (good and typical of Pinot Noir), cranberry, pomegranate, candy apple, red fruit, cherry cream, milk chocolate cordial cherry. LC: Hint of meat – forest; strawberry. Hot nose. Pinot. BG: Oregon? Cherry/pomegranate/strawberry some beet? A little candied but good. AKG: Sandalwood, notes of during and/barnyard, strawberries, buttery, vanilla. EU: Smoky, cigar, cooked Asian greens, sweet spice, strawberry/cherry. Maybe has problems in ferment, savoury notes reduced over time as it was open. Jacquelin G: Borderline mercaptans/rubberiness in my opinion.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, light plus body, soft tannins, medium plus alcohol (13.7%?) , cherry, earthy, black pepper, a bit tart, longish, hints of toasted oak, dark chocolate (back palate). Herbs (grilled). Sage, spice/tobacco dry. LC: Sweet strawberry, almost jammy. Not overly complicated. Medium finish, smooth – acid on lower side. BG: Silky texture. Flavour mostly in the end taste, palate doesn’t match the nose. Very soft tannins, good aftertaste, blueberry strawberry finish. AKG: Mature tasting, rounded edges, great balance. Blackberries, strawberries and balsamic, buttery oak. EU: Bright red fruits (not too acidic) beets roasted, vanilla, red fruits, dusty earth in finish, chocolate. Jacquelin G: Well-balanced, but feel mercaptans will worsen over time.
Notes:
Closure – cork
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
#6 Bethel Heights Aeolian Pinot Noir 2012 13.7%
Quality Rating: C- to C ~ 85 Price: $42
Eye
VS: Clear, medium Ruby? (Might be the ringer), fast legs. LC: Purple to rim. BG: Cherry rim, pale. AKG: Purple. EU: Dark purple. Jacquelin G: Clear, medium dark
Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
Ruby/purple rim.
Nose
VS: Clear, medium intensity, developing, plummy, raspberry, cherry, black cherry, blueberry, blackberry – dark fruit, dark chocolate, hint of earth, spice, pepper, sweet vanilla, baking spice, red liquorice, rosemary. LC: candy/medicinal – hint of rubbing alcohol. Beets, dark fruit. Ringer? BG: Rose petals/plum/cherry/tobacco. AKG: Toasted nuts, sweet fruits, jammy. EU: Strawberry, blackberry, meaty savoury, toasted oak, sweet cinnamon, cloves, very pleasant. Jacquelin G: Initial bit of savoury spices and pepper. Hot alcohol. Dusty, warm earth.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium intensity, fruit is “thin” , toasty oak leftover, flavour just falls off; short on substance, short in length, acceptable. Cherry, tart. LC: Sweet darker fruit. Medium to short finish. Good body. Does not say Pinot. BG: Some tannic grip. Light plum notes. Some lovely elements in the aftertaste, very long. AKG: Tannic finish. EU: Strawberry, cherry, roast black cherry, smoky Oak tannins, vanilla and finish. Jacquelin G: Youthful rugged tannins, a bit too acidic. Peppery finish dominated by acidity. Nothing in the nose or palate says Pinot Noir.
Notes:
Barrel aged 11 months in French oak, 40% new barrels and bottled unfined.
2390 cases produced. Closure – Cork
#7 Prospect Winery Rock Wren Pinot Noir 2012 13.0%
Quality Rating: C to C+ ~ 87 Price: $16
Eye
VS: Clear, pale garnet, fast legs. LC: Garnet rose. BG: Cherry rim, pale. AKG: Cherry. EU: Dark garnet/magenta. Jacquelin G: Clear medium garnet/bricky core.
Nose
VS: Clean, medium intensity, common cherry, strawberry (artificial), raspberry, anise, herbal, toast, vanilla (very light), black tea leaves, hint of pepper (mix white & black). LC: Pomegranate, red fruit – raspberry. BG: Cherry cough syrup, tar, rough. AKG: Medicinal. EU: Blueberry otherwise like dark fruit, nose strong, strawberry. Jacquelin G: Strawberry jam, sweet cherries, warm baking spices. Gently oaked.
Palate
VS: Dry, high acid, light body, medium plus alcohol, medium minus intensity, cherry, tartness, cranberry, taste the alcohol, red fruits, sour red plum, hints of tobacco (dry), medium plus finish with notes of toast. Easy drinking open a bottle tonight kind of wine. LC: Sweet red fruit– meaty, candied fruit, acidic, light body, long finish. BG: Short, bit hot, not too complex, high acid. AKG: Sweet fruit. EU: Not a lot of life, light cherry, Porty light tannins, and some cherry vanilla on the finish, maybe hot, light acid. Jacquelin G: Well-balanced with ripe tannins and medium acidity. Drinking well now, good fruit throughout the palate lingering finish.
Notes:
100% Pinot Noir. Aged in French oak for 9 months. Sourced from vineyards in Oliver, Osoyoos, Kelowna & Naramata. Closure – cork
Prospect Winery Pinot Noir – Current Vintage & Availability
Tasting held January 13, 2015