october 29, 2011 release DOWNLOAD OUR FREE IPHONE APP OR GO TO OUR MOBILE-FRIENDLY SITE

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1 bestbc release of october 29, DOWNLOAD OUR FREE IPHONE APP OR GO TO OUR MOBILE-FRIENDLY SITE

2 cedar creek burrowing owl moon curser osoyoos larose hester creek sandhill painted rock inniskillin nk mip stag s hollow tantalus jackson triggs oculus mission hill ii

3 Welcome to the Best of BC Fall 2011 wine release, proudly presented by BC Liquor Stores. This year s selection features our best local talent, some new-found highlights and an exceptional range of quality BC reds. The Okanagan Valley, the heart of British Columbia wine country, has experienced much over its history. Included in this booklet is information on recent vintages, a vintage chart and some background on the aging potential of BC wines. A pre-release consumer event and tasting will be held at 39th and Cambie on Friday, October 28th and on the release day, Saturday October 29th. Please contact the store directly for more information. We invite you to come and explore the coveted wines selected as the Best of BC! On October 29th, 2011, Best of BC wines go on sale at 21 Signature and select BC Liquor Stores. Quantities are limited, so shop early for the best selection. 1

4 2 Do BC Wines Age? Following on last year s Best of BC booklet, which started the conversation about BC wines and aging, here is another look at our local industry and the direction towards making wines that improve with time. In September 2010, the British Columbia Wine Institute hosted its annual fall tasting salon with industry. With recognition that the industry was 20 years young under the VQA banner, a special Founders tasting was held. Attending were industry builders from the s time period who showcased wines from their wine libraries. Some interesting highlights included: Calona Sangiovese Reserve 1998 is very impressive for its first harvest and boasts an excellent varietal profile. Gehringer Pinot Auxerrois 1994 is as fresh as a daisy, this Auxerrois carries an incredible, youthful hue. Quails Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir 1994 has good fruit and varietal character. CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2002 is still quite youthful and has a time to mature further.

5 Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2004 is intensely aromatic with freshness and fruit. Sumac Ridge Pinnacle Red 2000 is just hitting its stride. Perfect drinking now. The above snapshot is very revealing, as the wines without fail come from better to outstanding vintages. With a northern location and cool climate, not every year is going to measure up to making age worthy wines but many vintages are exceptional. The white wines from BC can age well due to the abundant acidity which drives whites to be lively and improve with cellaring. The reds offered complexities of age and yet still retain fruit character. The beauty of wine is that a few bottles of a vintage can be saved for later sampling to appreciate the development over time. The proof is in the glass. To be on the doorstep of a local industry that we have watched grow up to be able to compete handily with the rest of the world is very exciting. To also have red wines of character and complexity that will age is another sign that our wines have arrived. So take advantage of being able to shop at the winery or at retail, and make sure you have some of British Columbia on hand in your wine collection. 3

6 In 1993, Jim Wyse began the vineyards that would become the Burrowing Owl estate winery. Starting with the 1997 vintage, the emphasis was on premium wines under the Burrowing Owl name, a milestone at the time for the BC wine industry. Capitalizing on their location on the Black Sage Road south of Oliver, the estate vineyard aims for riper fruit and high quality winemaking to make stylish wines. With a restaurant and guest house, the combination has resonated with wine tourists looking for a world class reception. The result has catapulted Burrowing Owl to a top seller in the province and, alas, there is never enough Burrowing Owl to go around. Notes 4

7 2008 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon $37.90 Cabernet Sauvignon as of the 2011 BC WineGrape Acreage Report is now the third most planted red varietal in the province. Which is an interesting development, considering this varietal is tricky to ripen particularly in such a northern growing location. But rising to the challenge the 2008 offers excellent colour, varietal flavours and pleasing length Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc $32.90 One of their signature wines is Cabernet Franc, a grape varietal starting to be of greater interest to winemakers in the Okanagan Valley. Mostly seen in blends, it offers black currant hints and texture, in a more elegant angular profile. Awarded Gold Medal at the San Francisco 2011 International Wine Competition. Notes 5

8 CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir $39.90 The Platinum Pinot Noir incorporates four clones grown at the winery location and at Greata Ranch near Peachland. First class oak treatment contributes to the output being extra special, reflecting the outstanding vintage for Pinot Noir and worth repaying in the cellar with patience. The Fitzpatrick family acquired a small estate winery then known as Uniacke Cellars on Kelowna s eastern shore in Today CedarCreek is known as one of Canada s top wineries and has twice earned Winery of the Year at the Canadian Wine Awards. The Platinum series refers to a long-past Okanagan Wine Festival award, where their Merlot was awarded Platinum. Now the top tier for CedarCreek, they are given the top treatment to exhibit a serious depth of fruit, oak structure and balanced tannins. The vintage conditions for 2008 and 2009 have initiated a more rigorous quality bar to measure up to. For example some Platinum wines were not made in 2008; in 2009, there will be no Platinum Pinot Noir. 6

9 CedarCreek Platinum Chardonnay $29.90 One of BC s most sophisticated Chardonnays, the Platinum 2009 is sourced from winery vines, Greata Ranch and Duncan vineyards. French oak, partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring adds flavour and structure. Lots of fruit character but also great precision and acidity drive this wine along. CedarCreek Platinum Syrah $39.90 Platinum Syrah can mean holding out for ultimate ripeness. In 2008, that meant November 13th and 14th harvesting at the Bartsch vineyard in Osoyoos. Syrah has proven to be a winner at wine festivals and no doubt this will be another star. Only 418 cases produced. Notes 7

10 This Golden Mile winery has a colourful history dating back to 1968 when Joe Busnardo planted vinifera vines. These are arguably the oldest red vinifera in the province, some of which are still producing for the Judge. The winery to come would be Divino with an Italian direction via vines named Pinot Bianco and Trebbiano. Later on it changed names and ownership and has become a must-visit location. Now featuring a restaurant, wine shop and guest accommodation, one can take in the wines along with admiring the incredible view. Notes 8

11 Hester Creek The Judge $45.00 Winemaker Rob Summers was looking to make a wine that not only reflected the age of the vines but would also show the true personalities of their block 2 Merlot, block 3 Cabernet Franc and block 7 Cabernet Sauvignon. Part of this uniqueness in the Golden Mile is the soil type called Ratnip that is not glacially derived, but rather indigenous to the west side bench of the locale. Production of 2008 is a mere 300 cases. Look for a full-sized red with good varietal definition and intensity as they say at the winery, you may approach the Bench to appreciate the Judge. Notes 9

12 Jackson- Triggs Gold Series Sunrock Vineyard Shiraz $34.99 First planted in 1999, the objective of SunRock vineyard was to showcase a more definitive part of the larger vineyard as planted to a number of varietal sub-blocks. Located next to the east side rock faces, the retention of heat and subsequent radiation of it is a singular micro-climate. Heat measurements here average 1700 degree days just the place to grow Shiraz. The 2008 is a real presence in the glass, raw black pepper and spice of the land. All coiled up and lurking, it coats the palate and has fantastic length over berry fruit. Best Red Wine of the Year Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards. Over the last decade there has been international accolades for the J.T. BC reds. A partnership with the Osoyoos Indian band finds them with long term access to grapes grown in the hot zones of Oliver and Osoyoos, where red grapes like Shiraz/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon need to grow in order to ripen. Harvested from the Bear Pine, Thorpe and Sun Rock Vineyards, Jackson- Triggs is a national brand that at the VQA level makes wines in both Ontario and British Columbia from grapes grown in those two provinces. 10

13 Jackson-Triggs Gold Series Cabernet Shiraz Viognier $29.99 Co-fermentation/co-pigmentation, this is just some of the new lingo that winemakers speak of when talking about colour and tannin and structure in the wine. In this case it is the fermenting of red Shiraz grapes with a small amount of white Viognier grapes. Contrary to diluting the colour, it actually improves and stabilizes a deeper colour while adding a floral note. Blending in some Cabernet Sauvignon completes the profile. Winemaker Brooke Blair takes the Jackson-Triggs Shiraz into new territory with this process. Look for the power and pedigree of the Cabernet Sauvignon while the Shiraz offers spice and black fruits. Notes 11

14 Mission Hill Compendium $45.00 Compendium refers to collection and like Oculus is a blend of the Bordeaux varietals. For the 2008 there is an increase in the Merlot presence (28%) though still driven by Cabernet Sauvignon (43%) then Cabernet Franc (26%) and Petit Verdot (3%). Quite lush and elegant, there are textural Cabernet Sauvignon notes into a long, regal, firm finish. More than 20 years ago, winery proprietor and visionary Anthony Von Mandl spoke to the Kelowna Board of Trade about the bright future of premium BC wines. Working to that end has been the investment in a world class winery. The other part has been establishing the Legacy tier of wines, reds Oculus, Quatrain, Compendium and white Perpetua. 12

15 Mission Hill Oculus $80.00 Oculus is the top-of-the-train Mission Hill wine. It combines the vineyard investment and vision of owner Anthony Van Mandl with winemaker John Simes intuitive knowledge of the BC Okanagan vinescape. Held back for an extra year to integrate fully, the 2007 vintage reflects a blend of 50% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. An outstanding wine, it will improve over the next five years and last well beyond a decade. Mission Hill Quatrain $45.00 Notes Quatrain by contrast opts for less Merlot (34%) in the 2008 and more Syrah (29%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). Vineyard sources are from the southern Okanagan including down at Osoyoos right on the United States border. A very tightly knit wine, there is telltale BC spice & sage along with some roasted character combining with a core of fruit marked by a brightness of acidity. 13

16 One of the most distinct BC wines is Osoyoos Larose. This is a partnership of France s Groupe Taillan and Vincor Okanagan that brings a Bordeaux sensibility to the terroir of the Okanagan Valley. While most of the heavy hitting red vineyards are on the east side of the valley, the Osoyoos Larose vineyards are on the west side. Once again BC Liquor Stores is proud to be the first to release the newest vintage of Osoyoos Larose Le Gran Vin. Notes 14

17 Osoyoos Larose Le Gran Vin $ ml $ L $ L $ L This is the 8th vintage of Osoyoos Larose and all sizes of the 2008 will be released at once. The 2008 wine is based on Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Cabernet Franc (7%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (3%). The art of the blend is at work here with each varietal contributing in some way to the final product. A vibrant engaging wine the 2008 offers contributions from vines that have more age along with complexities of barrique and savoury Okanagan terroir. *Please note larger format wines in the 1.5, 3L and 6L will only available at select Signature Stores. Notes 15

18 Painted Rock Syrah $39.95 A standout wine last year, the Syrah 2008 is another fine effort. Location is all important for fine wine growing and the intensive solar glare off Skaha Lake to the vineyard assists in ripening the grapes. Look for roasted hints, black plummy fruit and a long, mouth coating finish that goes on and on. Named for the pictographs located on the property, Painted Rock is a newcomer with auspicious beginnings. The east side location and choice of vine stock attracted the attention of Bordeaux consultant Alain Sutre, who has been working with Osoyoos Larose and Poplar Grove. Skaha Lake with different heat units and soil formation than Oliver/Osoyoos contributes to these wines joining the ranks of top BC wines. *Success and the nature of the vintage have meant there is very little wine to go around so these wines will be available only at select Signature Stores. 16

19 Painted Rock Red Icon $54.95 The Red Icon 2008 is a blend of 30% Merlot, 25% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc and 20% Petit Verdot. Wine writer John Schreiner is a fan, saying: The 2008 begins with inviting areas of cassis and spice cake, leading to sweet berry flavours a touch of black currant and a hint of vanilla & chocolate. The tannins are ripe and silky. The wine is very elegant with a long, long finish. 94 Points. Painted Rock Merlot $39.95 Once known as The Blackhawk, the location for Painted Rock vineyard was a renowned apricot farm dating back to the early 1900s. The Merlot 2008 is a full-bodied wine with intensive oak pedigree over firm fruit tannin and character. A dollop of Malbec (5%) adds some plushness to the final product. Notes 17

20 A new name on the scene is actually a rebranding of the Twisted Tree winery. The same premise is in vogue working with more exotic varietals grown in the Osoyoos area. But the name references the old time gold smuggling activity and nocturnal behavior of being a border town. For smugglers, the light of the moon was undesirable. When the moon was shining, it was cursed by smugglers who were apprehended. Notes 18

21 Moon Curser Dead of Night $37.90 Dead of Night 2008 is a unique blend of 50% Tannat and 50% Syrah. The grapes come from estate vineyards on the east Osoyoos bench. Very gripping on the palate, with perfect ripeness, this wine has plus hints of the dry Okanagan garrique vegetation, such as sage, greasewood and prickly pear. Good blueberry and oak notes combine to extend the delicious finish. Notes Moon Curser Border Vines $24.90 Border Vines 2008 is the same varietal blend as last years Twisted Tree 6 vines. This proved to be a top seller in Best of BC Uniquely, this uses all 6 red grapes of the Bordeaux blend: 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 23% Carmenere, 20% Merlot and fermented together were 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This wine is brimming with coffee and chocolate hints, alongside great complexity and fruit. 19

22 The Discovery Series at Inniskillin Okanagan was ahead of its time. Winemaker/ viticulturist Sandor Mayor is the visionary. If the vine is feasible in the Valley, he will plant it. This is what makes our homegrown wine industry exciting as it is still a bit of a laboratory to see what may surprise and highlight this young wine region. While Tempranillo is native to Rioja in Spain there are now 14 acres planted in BC and this is the second vintage for Inniskillin. The vines are planted at the Dark Horse vineyard located on the Golden Mile above the winery. Something seems to be clicking between the vine and site, because for the second year in a row the Tempranillo offers up considerable character and concentration of fruit making it worthy of being Best of BC! 20

23 Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Tempranillo $29.99 A lot of oak definition comes from the French oak barrels, but is replaced by hints of honey, plums and a firm core of berry fruit. Good structure and texture carries this wine into a long balanced finish. Very impressive; only 240 cases produced. Notes 21

24 The Southern Okanagan is home to Canada s only desert. The soil conditions here are literally sand! This locale produces exciting wines that exhibit cool climate Syrah flavours and complexities along with warm climate ripeness and generosity. No wonder for the last few years Okanagan Syrah/Shiraz has garnered so many awards both locally and abroad. Q w Am Q w MT translates to achieving excellence and this pioneering Osoyoos Indian Band works with their vineyard holdings, of which the best are made in small amounts under the QQ tier. 22

25 NK Mip Q w AM Q w MT Syrah $34.99 A success for the vintage, the Syrah offers freshness and solid varietal character and complexity. No better example can be the 2008 QQ that offers meaty, pepper notes that are hard to miss as Syrah. Notes 23

26 The eastern hillside of a vineyard project with Burrowing Owl in the mid-1990s was the beginning of Sandhill. Named for the dunes of sand that are the soil makeup, the inaugural vintage was 1997 and the Small Lots program started shortly afterward. The Sandhill label always identifies the vineyard source with the Small Lot wines epitomizing the ultimate heart of the vineyard. Recent directions find some of the wines being identified by single block and number of barrels produced rather than cases. Small Lots are always small in production, but it s even more dear when nature, in the form of bears, take a liking to the ripe grapes! Sandhill Small Lots Sangiovese $30.00 Sandhill Small Lots Sangiovese is a unique varietal found rarely outside its home in Italy. A thin skinned grape, Sangiovese must be managed in the vineyard to achieve colour and ripeness. In 2008 there were fewer berries per cluster, meaning better concentration and juiciness. Each year this wine gets better, and with 2008, offers hints of flowers, cherry and berry in a vibrant silky profile. Only 19 barrels made. 24

27 Sandhill Small Lots three $35.00 The Italianate collection is based on grapes grown at the Sandhill Estate vineyard. Three naturally showcases three varieties: Sangiovese, Barbera and Merlot. Therefore, it is the Okanagan Valley s only Super-Tuscan. Or, maybe we can start a trend: OKITAL! Very precise on the palate with hints of cherry and savoury notes, it builds on the Sangiovese grape with complexity and nuance. Only 9 barrels made. Sandhill Small Lots Single Block Merlot $40.00 The Single Block Merlot is an exciting wine as it dials in on a more specific aspect of the larger Sandhill Estate Vineyard (174 acres). Winemaker Howard Soon comments, Block C8 has consistently produced great fruit quality. The aspect of the block, its proximity to a rocky cliff and sandy soil all contribute to a unique expression of terroir. Only 8 barrels made. Sandhill Small Lots Syrah $40.00 Another vineyard is the source for Small Lots Syrah Phantom Creek is a small vineyard (7 acres), but is big in terms of award winning Syrah. A highly distinctive wine, Small Lots Syrah is fat and oily, raw and grapey, with texture and poise unlike any other BC wine. Only 6 barrels produced. Awarded Lieutenant Governor s Award for Excellence in British Columbia Wine *Please note with small availability this wine will be available only at select Signature Stores. 25

28 Historically the wine business in the Okanagan valley was based around Kelowna, though with agriculture opening up in the south after World War I, Penticton became the bigger town. An early venture was Pioneer vineyards on Kelowna s east side that was planted in The site is one of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in the province. Today the winery is called Tantalus and has an international reputation based on old vine Riesling. A varietal that thrives in cooler locations (such as the northern Okanagan valley), Riesling has the ability to age as long or longer than red wines. It is amazing how a delicate Riesling of years can be fresh as a daisy when from a great year (like 2008 for Riesling) and top site/producer. 26

29 Tantalus Old Vines Riesling $29.90 From vines planted in 1978, the wine is dry in style with considerable acidity. Flavours of tart tree fruits, apple, nectarine and more are there but will intensify with age. There is nothing more luxurious and impressive then a white wine like Riesling from your cellar. * Limited amounts available at select Signature Stores. Notes 27

30 Poplar Grove Merlot $29.90 The 2008 Poplar Grove Merlot is a blend of Naramata and Osoyoos fruit that benefited from a long hang time late in the season. The wine offers lively aromatics and a soft concentrated palate that echoes oak influences and great length. As one climbs up the lakeside hill from Penticton to the Naramata Bench, you can t help but notice the commanding new winery presence of Poplar Grove. Started in 1993 as one of the original 5 wineries on the Naramata Bench (plus a cheese shop), the winery has set up shop at this new location and invites you in to taste and check out the impressive view. Ian Sutherland is the point person with a drive to make Bordeaux style reds from local and east bank Osoyoos estate acreage. 28

31 Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc $34.90 Poplar Grove has a reputation for their Cabernet Franc and with 2008 comes through once again with a firm but subtle expression that is perfectly layered. Hints of chocolate and dark berries abound. *Only a small amount was available so will be available only at select Signature Stores. Poplar Grove Legacy $49.90 The Poplar Grove Legacy 2007 is the signature wine that is made to age and improve for 10 years or more. A blend of the Bordeaux varieties, it shows ripeness of the 2007 vintage via the small berry size and low yields. Extremely swollen in concentration, there is an abundance of blackberry and currant fruit and complexities of leather, spice and vanilla. Notes 29

32 Established in the early 1990s, Stag s Hollow is an Okanagan Falls winery that is just hitting its stride. Stag s Hollow offers core wines like Renaissance Merlot but is also venturing into the new wave of exotic grapes like Grenache, Marsanne and Tempranillo (maybe next year?) that are cropping up in the valley. The home vineyard supplies the Merlot for Renaissance and provides a different soil and temperature than the hotter south in Oliver/Osoyoos, or the north in the cooler Penticton/Naramata. Okanagan Falls is just right for steady ripening. Notes 30

33 Stag s Hollow Renaissance Merlot $29.99 The 2009 Renaissance Merlot showcases a welcome direction to expressing more fruit character. Partly this is courtesy of the warmer 2009 year, but it can also be tied to choices made in the vineyard and cellar. Showing an excellent expression of fruit with berries and plum flavours harnessed around some oak structure, the wine is well balanced and offers delicious BC Merlot fruit into the finish. Notes 31

34 2009 Vintage Reports 2009 was full of drama, but the vines coped better than expected and made it easier than one would have expected on viticulturists and winemakers. A cold winter with a record-breaking cold snap in January saw temperatures go down to -25 C for several days. There was winter damage, but fortunately not widespread. Nevertheless, it was a reminder that cool climate region definitions are based on a full season of weather. For the second year in a row, there was an exaggerated late spring with delayed bud break and referencing the winter conditions, noted variance in growth. A return to warmer weather in June saw flowering mostly on schedule, with ideal, dry and warm months for June, July and August. An easy flow to the season led into the warmer-than-usual September. This and the natural low yields due to winter damage meant the grapes were in great flavour and ripeness; picking started September 1st for whites. This was a fortunate set of circumstances, as reds were held out for extra ripeness into October. A sudden frost that sent temperatures down to -14 C on October 9th meant the vine was over for the season and the grapes had to be picked. For many wineries, this translated into a shorter, more condensed harvest than usual. In terms of quality, an erratic year has yielded very good to excellent whites along with very good to excellent reds that all show good fruit and balance. * 32

35 A cool spring in the Okanagan saw very late frosts, which could have been serious, but the vines were so far behind (by 18 days) that it was not an issue. Into June and now flowering, the vines caught up only 4 days behind. The summer would have sporadic, intense weather systems. While July saw a hailstorm and violent winds, August hosted a one-day deluge of record proportions Fortunately, there were no heat spikes to interrupt photosynthetic activity (though more days over 40 C than in 2009!) and half the average rainfall in July kept the berries small and concentrated. September turned cool, though it was dry and sunny. This pushed the start of harvest back, as hang time was essential to ripen the tannins while keeping the acids very well preserved. Notably, some varietals ripened in different order than normal: Pinot Noir was later, while Syrah was earlier. An excellent vintage for whites, especially Riesling (easily the white wine vintage of the decade), while a more variable vintage for reds. The freshness of flavours is highlighted by some outstanding Pinot Noirs and Syrahs.* *Adapted from the British Columbia Wine Institute Okanagan Valley 33

36 Vintage Chart for BC vintage White Red current drinking drink up not ready yet possible to drink, or hold Scale excellent 5 6 very good 4 good 34

37 Notes 35

38 Notes 36

39 39th & Cambie 5555 Cambie St Vancouver, BC V5Z 3A Abbotsford South Fraser Way Abbotsford, BC V2T 4W Fleetwood nd St Surrey, BC V3R 4E HighGate Village Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5E 2V Langley St Langley, BC V2Y 2X Meadowtown Unit Lougheed Hwy Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2W Nicola Station Nicola Ave Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 8B Nordel Crossing Unit Nordel Way Surrey, BC V3W 1P Northgate Unit North Road Burnaby, BC V3J 0A Park Royal 570 Park Royal North West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A Richmond Ironwood Steveston Hwy Richmond, BC V7A 5J Alberni & BUTE 768 Bute St Vancouver, BC V6E 4H Westwood Centre Lougheed Hwy Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 6P Fort Street 1960 Foul Bay Rd Victoria, BC V8R 5A Kamloops Columbia Pl Summit Dr Kamloops, BC V2C 6M Kelowna Mission Park Lakeshore Rd Kelowna, BC V1W 3S Kelowna Orchard Pk Dilworth Dr Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T Penticton Plaza Main St Penticton, BC V2A 5E Prince George Pine CtR 3173 Massey Dr Prince George, BC V2N 2S Vernon Unit 245A Village Green Mall th St Vernon, BC V1T 7G Victoria Westshore Unit Jacklin Rd Langford, BC V9B 5E SIGNATURE PLUS Dunbar 3453 Dunbar St Vancouver, BC V6S 2C Caulfeild Headland Dr West Vancouver, BC V7W 3C Richmond Brighouse Ackroyd Rd Richmond, BC V6X 3K Peninsula Village th Ave Surrey, BC V4A 2H

40 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE IPHONE APP OR GO TO OUR MOBILE-FRIENDLY SITE Prices are subject to change without notice. In the event of a change, the product description and display price in the liquor store will prevail