My Okanagan Falls Spring 2019 Wine Release Picks for You

Okanagan Falls Winery Association logoOkanagan Falls, located between Penticton and Oliver, holds, I think, a sweet spot for growing grapes and making wine.  It has long warm days and cool nights, which allow the grapes to reach full ripeness as well as keep their acidity.  The Okanagan Falls Skaha Winery Association, consisting of 14 wineries, with 32 vineyards, held a tasting recently, which I attended.  In the Okanagan Falls area, you can taste quality sparkling, white, and red wines.  Here are 12 wines from the tasting that I really enjoyed.  I hope you will enjoy them as well.

Tasting Notes From My Favourite Wines

Blasted Church Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2017 – A ripe stone fruit nose.  Medium minus body, dry with salty minerality. Tart green fruit and stone fruit flavours.  Medium acidity. 4.5 stars

Bonamici Cellars Pinot Grigio 2017 – Fresh stone fruit nose.  Juicy stone fruit and pineapple flavours along with a green edge.  Dry with higher acidity.  Perfume at the end. 4.5 stars

Crescent Hill Winery I am Diva Frizzante Gewurztraminer 2017 – A sparkling Gew from BC.  I’m not sure I’ve seen any before; maybe one.  This one has a nice lychee nose.  Dry, high acidity with small, creamy bubble.  Lychee and rose petal flavours. 4.5 stars

Blasted Church Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Bonamici Cellars Pinot Grigio, and Crescent Hill Winery I am Diva Frizzante Gewurztraminer
Blasted Church Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Bonamici Cellars Pinot Grigio, and Crescent Hill Winery I am Diva Frizzante Gewurztraminer

Noble Ridge Reserve Chardonnay 2016 – You will notice that their Reserve line of wines have new labels, showing the head of a lion.  It is quite nice.  This wine has a light pear nose.  Round, dry and soft.  Quite flavourful, with flavours of butterscotch vanilla, nutmeg and roasted apples.  Some pepperiness on the finish.  A delightful wine. 4.5 stars5 stars

Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2018 – Fresh stone fruit nose.  Full of tropical fruit flavour with lesser amounts of apple followed by green fruit, and a hint of lychee.  Medium body and acidity. 4.5 stars

Pentage Winery Pinot Gris 2017 – Light stone fruit and pear aromas in the glass.  Medium body with light acidity and light pear flavour.  A delicate wine. 4.5 stars

Pentage Winery Roussanne/Marsanne/Viognier 2013 – Wow, an aged white wine from BC.  This wine does not disappoint!  It has light toast, butterscotch and tropical fruit aromas.  Medium body, round with a thicker mouthfeel.  Medium minus acidity.  Butterscotch, toast, and roasted apple flavours, along with some pepperiness.  Nice. Elegant. 4.5 stars

Noble Ridge Reserve Chardonnay, Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blanc, Pentage Winery Pinot Gris, and Pentage Winery Roussanne Marsanne Viognier
Noble Ridge Reserve Chardonnay, Skaha Vineyard Pinot Blanc, Pentage Winery Roussanne/Marsanne/Viognier, and Pentage Winery Pinot Gris

Pentage Winery Syrah 2014 – Meaty, red and black fruit nose.  Off-dry medium body and acidity, along with some minerality.  Bright cassis and black fruit flavours.  Peppery too. 4.5 stars

Noble Ridge Reserve Meritage 2016 – A blend of Merlot primarily with lesser amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. Rich cassis and vanilla nose. Dry, medium body with ripe cassis and sweet spice flavours.  Fine tannins.  Quality. 4.5 stars5 stars

Skaha Vineyard Equus 2014 – A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This wine has a dark, ripe black cherry nose.  Full body, with flavours of ripe, black cherries, candied cherries, and dark chocolate.  Peppery.  Medium tannins.  Good structure. 4.5 stars

Pentage Winery Syrah, Noble Ridge Reserve Meritage, and Skaha Vineyard Equus
Pentage Winery Syrah, Noble Ridge Reserve Meritage, and Skaha Vineyard Equus

Stag’s Hollow Heritage Block 2015 – A blend of Merlot primarily and lesser amounts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Medium garnet colour.  Cedar, vanilla and red fruit aromas.  Fuller body, dry with medium plus tannins.  Cedar and ripe red fruit flavours.  Peppery mid to finish. Nice. 4.5 stars

Wild Goose Vineyards Red Horizon 2016 – A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Nice soft cedar and red fruit nose.  Medium plus body, slightly off-dry.  Floral, cedar, and a mix of black and red fruits.  Very tasty. 4.5 stars5 stars

Stag's Hollow Heritage Block and Wild Goose Vineyards Red Horizon
Stag’s Hollow Heritage Block and Wild Goose Vineyards Red Horizon
Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.