Now on our third vintage of making this fickle “heartbreak grape”, we have a love affair with Pinot Noir. A love affair that has all the ups and downs with any relationship. Identified as the “heartbreak” grape, Pinot Noir requires a great attention to detail throughout its development to your glass.
In the vineyard, this grape grows as a tight cluster and tends to mutate too easily for it to be loyal to its purpose. It can be difficult to grow as climate and growing conditions should be ideal for this delicate love. Pinot Noir is a risky and expensive proposition for the winegrower and the winemaker. But it is precisely this high-stakes gamble that makes Pinot Noir all the more alluring and rewarding. Knowing that, the heartbreak grape is thin-skinned, it is vulnerable to disease and splitting if not managed carefully in the vineyard. The correct amount of sun, consistent cool climate temperatures with very little heat spikes, dry growing conditions and well drained gravelly soil are ideal components of the terroir required to develop this grape into a true example of a fine Pinot Noir wine.
For the winemaker, this grape is a temper tantrum waiting to happen if it is not cared for properly. Pinot’s glory is derived from its complexity and nuances therefore special attention must be given during winemaking to obtain and preserve the delicate flavours. Gentle punchdowns and minimal pumping helps to preserve the lustrous subtleties of the wine. Over manipulation in fermentation and pressing can over-extract tannins and destroy the prized, plush texture and mouthfeel.
Our current 2018 release has all the gorgeous elements so prized in a Pinot and was honoured with numerous 90+ points reviews from the critics this summer.
Rick VanSickle comments on winesinniagara.com, “It has an enticing nose of black cherries, field raspberries, bramble and savoury spice notes. It has wonderful silkiness on the palate with earthy red berries, anise, fine-grained tannins and plenty of juicy acidity to keep it vibrant on the finish. Can cellar 5+ years. SCORE: 92”
Daenna Van Mulligen writes in winescores.ca, “Made from Burgundian clones 115 and 667 grown in the single Remuda Vineyards in the Okanagan Falls appellation, this complex Pinot delivers aromas of sweet cherry and red currents, beet green, mixed spices, dusty lilacs, tealeaf, rainforest floor and dried orange peel. Juicy but intense, classic but also powerful, it shows leather, red fruits, tobacco and brown spice flavours. A layered version, energetic and stylish. SCORE: 92”
John Schreiner states on johnschreiner.blogspot.com, “The winery fermented the fruit slowly (11 days), with pump-overs twice daily. The wine was then aged 12 months in French oak barrels. The wine shows some power, with aromas than mingle dark cherry with toasted oak notes. It is fleshy on the palate, with flavours of cherry and spice punctuated with forest floor notes on the finish. SCORE: 91.”