Mike Raffan's vineyard that surrounds his winery on British Columbia's Naramata Bench produced both the Gewürztraminer (60%) and Pinot Gris (40%) for this proprietary white blend. Harvest began Oct. 17 with the Gewürz, and the aromatics are rather pretty with notes of orange oil, watermelon, Sunkist Lime Jelly Belly candy and cellophane. Piercing acidity awaits on the palate … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2012 7 Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19
British Columbia
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2010 Blue Terrace Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, $26
Bradley Cooper has been producing wine for this property on British Columbia's beautiful Naramata Bench since 2005, and he's making his mark with Bordeaux varieties from this site on the acclaimed Black Sage Bench, just north of Oroville, Wash. The nose hints at Chukar Cherry, NECCO Wafer candy, sagebrush and a fresh-cut noble fir. Sauve flavors feature Royal Ann cherry, red … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2010 Blue Terrace Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, $26
Township 7 Vineyards and Winery 2011 7 Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19
Bradley Cooper, T7's winemaker, merely stepped out his backdoor of his cottage on the Naramata Bench to sample the grapes for this co-fermented estate blend of Gewürztraminer (60%) and Pinot Gris. He decided to pick on Oct. 15, which paved the way for aromas of yellow grapefruit, lychee, cantaloupe, gooseberry and Mountain Dew. The Pinot Gris shows itself more on the palate and … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards and Winery 2011 7 Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $19
JoieFarm 2012 Muscat, Okanagan Valley, $23
Dry Muscats are extremely rare in the New World, yet the folks at this winery on British Columbia's Naramata Bench annually craft one that is nothing short of sublime. The label calls this "The Pure Grape," and we could not agree more. Owners Michael Dinn and Heidi Noble blended Moscato Giallo and Moscato Canelli - two distinct varieties of Muscat - to create this. It opens … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2012 Muscat, Okanagan Valley, $23
JoieFarm 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $23
This tree-free Chardonnay comes from one of British Columbia's finest wineries, run by Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn, two former restaurateurs who turned their passions toward winemaking. This opens with aromas of tropical fruit, including mango, followed by rich, minerally flavors that include apple, passionfruit and banana. A delicious wine to drink as a cocktail or with … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $23