Sandra Oldfield, a graduate of the University of California-Davis, and viticulturist Andrew Moon orchestrate the harvest of two estate Pinot Noir sites on opposite sides of the Okanagan River in the South Okanagan Valley – Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench and Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench near the winery. The latter, at age 24, is the older planting by seven years, and the results achieved by their October harvest at 23 Brix is superb. Ten months in barrel imparts aromas of strawberry marmalade and dusty blackberry with fruit cake spice and cinnamon bark. The pour brings a pleasing mix of cherry jam and raspberry flavors, black currant skin tannins, cranberry acidity and a finishing blend of cola and nutmeg. It’s one of the largest bottlings of Pinot Noir in the province, yet it’s difficult to imagine there being a more delicious example anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 2,541 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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