Quick Review: Arrowleaf Solstice Pinot Gris 2015

Arrowleaf Cellars is located in Lake Country (north Okanagan).  It’s a family run business by Joe and Margrit Zuppiger and their son, Manuel Zuppiger, who immigrated to Canada from Switzerland in 1986.  The winery officially opened it’s doors in 2003.  I have enjoyed and written about their Pinot Noir and Riesling wines in the past, as well as their entry-level Pinot Gris.  Today I am reviewing their Solstice Pinot Gris 2015.

My Review

Arrowleaf Solstice Pinot Gris 2015 with wine in glass
Arrowleaf Solstice Pinot Gris 2015 with wine in glass

Arrowleaf Solstice Pinot Gris 2015 – is made from the oldest vines grown in their Suncrest Vineyard in Okanagan Centre where Okanagan Lake provides a moderating effect on the temperature, extending the growing season, thereby allowing the grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness. The wine was fermented and aged in acacia wood and neutral French oak puncheons. This wine is bright medium intensity lemon in colour.  A more intense nose with aromas of stone fruits, white flowers, pineapple, and acacia.  I also picked up hints of nutmeg and vanilla from the oak barrels.  The wine is very fruity, so may taste a bit sweet on the entry, but I believe it is dry.  The wine has a light acidic prickle to it. Medium plus body and flavour intensity.  It is big and round with a viscous mouth feel.  It starts off with apples, then pears and stone fruit and finishes with some tropical fruit.  You also pick up hints of vanilla and honey on the palate in the background.  Medium length finishing with medium pepperiness, stone fruits, bitter almond and light vanilla.  You also actually pick up some drying tannins on the tongue too. A quality wine. Try with a roast salmon, or chicken in a cream sauce.

Rating: 4.5 stars  A very good quality wine that shows complexity, as well as lots of ripe BC summer fruits.  I’d say it is very much in an Alsatian style, which may come with the owners’ European background.

Where Can I Buy This Wine?

Arrowleaf Cellars does sell their wines through their website. Everything Wine has their entry-level tier Pinot Gris showing on their website, but maybe the Solstice is there as well? Swirl in Yaletown has the widest range of BC wines available in the lower mainland as far as I can tell, at the best prices.  They probably have the Solstice Pinot Gris. Arrowleaf wines are not sold in the BC government liquor stores.

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.