A Nice Surprise, Scorched Earth Winery Merlot and Rose of Pinot Noir

Scorched Earth Winery Winery logoScorched Earth Winery is a BC winery, nestled in Okanagan Mountain Park, in Kelowna that rose from the ashes of the devastating 2003 wildfires. I heard of this winery, but did not really have much chance to try their wines or talk to the owners.  They are family owned winery, certified organic, and very small production; in many instances around 150 cases of a wine are produced. While you may not have heard of them as well, their wines are worth looking for and trying, based on these first 2 wines. I also have two bottles of their Pinot Noir to try as well, which will show up on a separate post. The two wines I tried for this article are their 2016 Merlot and their 2019 Rosé of Pinot Noir. Let me tell you about them.  If you visit them and you like dogs, they do have a winery dog named Coco!

My Tasting Notes

Scorched Earth Winery Merlot 2016 (BC $24.95 + taxes and deposit)

Their Merlot grapes were sourced from the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, handpicked and hand-sorted with ageing in only French oak – 40% new. 

Appearance: Almost opaque garnet to the rim.
Nose: A very enticing nose wit aromas of smokiness, ripe black plums and blackberries, sweet spices, chocolate, and some meatiness. Same aromas with decanting, plus some vanilla.
Palate: Off-dry, fuller-bodied, round and silky mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Ripe blackberries, black cherries and plums. Light oak, vanilla and nutmeg spice. Fine grained chalky tannins. Add espresso coffee and pepperiness on the mid palate. Same flavour profile with decanting.
Finish: Off-dry to the finish with peppery, dark fruits, espresso, and oak flavours. Medium intensity drying tannins.  A very enjoyable wine.

Rating: 4.5 stars  This wine has 5 years of ageing already, but tastes young and fresh. A very enticing wine with a smoky, dark fruit nose.  Fuller-bodied, silky, with off-dry sweetness.  Black cherries, blackberries and plum flavours, together with espresso, oak, vanilla and nutmeg spices.  Can drink now or with up to 3-4 years more ageing.

Scorched Earth Winery Bearly Blushing Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019 (BC $19.95 + taxes and deposit)

From 100% organically grown hand-picked Estate Pinot Noir grapes, after being enjoyed by the resident black bear.

Appearance: Clear, bright, medium intensity orangy salmon colour.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of candied fruits and lots of strawberries. Sweet aromas. With decanting you can add some rhubarb aroma.
Palate: Dry, fuller bodied, with a thicker round mouthfeel Medium acidic prickle. Strawberries, watermelon and a touch of floral and salty minerality, then add some red fruits. Again with decanting, there is a touch of rhubarb as well, and maybe more red fruit flavours.
Finish: A medium-plus length, finishing with a mix of steeliness and iodine together with red fruits.

Rating: 4 stars A pretty strawberry scented nose.  Fuller bodied with strawberries and floral flavours.  Starts with salty minerality and finishes with a mix of red fruits, steeliness and iodine.

Scorched Earth Winery Bearly Blushing Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019 and Merlot 2016 with wines in glasses
Scorched Earth Winery Bearly Blushing Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019 and Merlot 2016 with wines in glasses

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

You can order these limited production wines from the Scorched Earth Winery website

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.