This is likely the most unique wine made in BC; Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018. Gewurztraminer is generally a grape that typically offers lychee, citrus, sweet spices and more; overall a very flavourful grape. Mayhem Wines took their grapes and fermented them down to 19 brix before being fortified with 93% alcohol. This wine was then put to barrel and spent twenty months ageing, which included one summer spent outside in the heat oxidizing and concentrating all complexities and flavours. The wine comes in at 18.1% alc. and is presented in a 500ml bottle.
In theory, the wine’s aromas and flavours should not change after the wine is exposed to air, as it has already been oxidized. But was I able to note any difference? Read on.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Mayhem Wines Fortified Gewurztraminer 2018 (BC $30.43)
Only 100 cases of this wine were produced.
Appearance: A bright medium-intensity lemon colour. Definite tears are seen on the sides of the glass with swirling.
Nose: A medium-plus intensity nose with caramel, candied lemon and a hint of orange. With decanting you do get the added touch of stone fruit aromas.
Palate: Medium body and sweetness with a round, thicker mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Caramel, pears, a touch of ginger and sweet spices plus pineapple. The wine does taste a bit sweeter as you get to the mid-palate. Some pepperiness as well. This wine is much more ginger peppery with decanting, and the caramel is not as strong.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing sweet with citrus/lemon, ginger, and some bready yeast at the very end.
To answer my question above, yes opening the bottle still had an effect on this fortified wine. It became much more ginger peppery.
Make a Cocktail?
You can sip this wine on its own, but why not try mixing it up?
Fortified Gewurztraminer Splash
2 oz Mayhem’s Fortified Gewurztraminer
2 oz tonic water
2 mint leaves
Twist of lemon
Fill a rocks glass with ice, mix in Fortified Gewurztraminer and tonic, top with mint leaves and garnish with lemon twist. Feel free to modify my cocktail recipe, but post your version below. Thanks.
Rating: 
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A unique wine for BC. Caramel and candied lemon aromas. Sweet and round with a thicker mouthfeel. Caramel, pear, peach, plus a touch of pineapple and ginger pepperiness. Finishing with lemon, ginger and some bready yeast flavours.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
You can purchase this wine from the Mayhem Wines website.
Thanks for the great review – and cocktail recipe!