Tasting Two Pinot Noir Wines from Oak Bay VineyardPR SAMPLE 

I have two Pinot Noir wines from St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery to tell you about today.  One is from 2019 and the other is 2020.  Look closely at the labels.  Can you spot two differences between these two wines, besides the year?  One difference is the wine on the right is a Reserve level wine. The second difference is the 2020 Pinot Noir lists the Geographical Indication of the grapes as South Kelowna Slopes.  The Reserve wine lists the more general Okanagan Valley.  Lastly, the 2020 Pinot Noir is listed as “organic”, with certification by Ecocert Canada.  The 2018 vintage is not but the vineyard likely was under conversion at that time as it takes 3 years of undergoing the organic certification process before a vineyard can be identified as organic.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Pinot Noir 2020 (BC $20)

Besides being Ecocert Canada certified this wine is also vegan-friendly.

Appearance:  A light, clear, limpid garnet colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of red fruit, red plums, plus touches of sweet spice and sweet red cherries. Lighter aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium body, with soft mouthfeel.  Medium-intensity flavours of red fruit, red plums, light sweet red cherries, vanilla, and oak, plus touches of mineral, floral, sweet spices, and black pepper. Medium-minus body with decanting.  Soft but lean mouthfeel.  Less plum and no black pepper on the palate.  Tart red fruit toward the finish.
Finish: Medium length finishing lean with sweet and tart red fruit, mineral and some pepperiness. Lighter tannins. About the same finish with decanting.

I prefer the undecanted version of this wine as the wine has a little more body and is more aromatic.

Rating: A lighter, limpid garnet colour.  Medium-minus aromas of red fruit, red plums, toast and touches of sweet spices and sweet red cherries.  Dry, medium body with soft mouthfeel.  Red fruit and red cherry flavours.  Touches of floral, mineral and black pepper. Medium length.

Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 (BC $35)

This wine spent 10 months in French oak barrels before bottling with minimal filtration. The wine is certified as “Salmon Safe”.

Appearance: A clear, medium-intensity garnet with consistent light bricking to the core.
Nose: Light aromas of red and candied cherries, oak, and a hint of sweet spices. Darker fruit aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry and round with a thicker mouthfeel.  Medium-plus body and flavour intensity.  Red cherries, candied red cherries, aged red fruits, raspberries, and touches of violets and oak.  Medium tannins and acidity.  The wine tastes a little off-dry with decanting and is maybe a bit smoother.  Also the violet flavour is a bit stronger.
Finish: Medium-plus length with tart red fruit, ripe red cherries, along with some pepperiness and minerality. Medium-drying tannins and bright acidity. A smooth, drier finish with decanting.  Black cherry flavour and less mineral.

I prefer the aromas and flavours of the undecanted version of this wine.

Rating: – Clear, medium garnet with consistent bricking to the core.  Dry, round, with a thicker mouthfeel.  Medium acidity and tannins. Aged red fruits, candied red cherries, and touches of floral, raspberries and oak.  Medium-plus length.

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

The 2020 vintage of their Pinot Noir is available on their website. The 2018 vintage of the Reserve Pinot Noir is available on their website.  The 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir should come out soon.