Two Wines from Oak Bay Vineyard to Kick Off 2023

My first two wines to review for 2023 are from BC’s St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery.  I opened the Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Organic Foch 2020 and the Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Gamay Noir 2019.  Let me tell you about them.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Organic Foch 2020 (BC $22)

Appearance: Solid opaque ruby in colour.
Nose: Light, closed nose, with grapey and black fruit aromas. No change to the aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body, smooth, round and thick mouthfeel.  Low acidity. Medium intensity flavours of black fruit, jammy berries, black plums, and touches of oak and sweet spice. Overall the same flavours and intensity of flavours. But you can add a little more oak.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with black fruits, some blackberries and bitterness.  A touch peppery.  Medium intensity tannins. The wine has more bitter oakiness with decanting.

Rating: A solid ruby colour.  Closed nose with grapey and black fruit aromas. Dry, round and thick mouthfeel.  Black fruit, jammy berries, black plums and touches of oak and sweet spices.  Medium-plus length.

Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Gamay Noir 2019 (BC $18.50)

Appearance: Medium-minus intensity, very translucent, ruby colour.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of smokiness, sweet spices, red cherries, raspberries, candied red cherries and oak.  Some caramel with air. Same aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, lighter body, very fine light tannins and medium acidity.  Light mouthfeel, lean, lightly round.  Bright tart flavours of red fruit, raspberries, and red cherries.  A touch of oak. Strong violets flavour as well. The wine is maybe a bit more floral and the tannins a touch stronger with decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with light mouthfeel. More acidity and less tannins.  Tart red fruit flavours. More tannins with decanting plus some pepperiness.

No major changes with decanting.  Open and enjoy.  I did enjoy this wine with slices of brie cheese.  The acidity and tart red fruit flavours went well with the creaminess and earthiness of the brie.  A recommended pairing.

Rating: – A lighter, very transluent, ruby colour. Medium intensity aromas of red fruits, smokiness, candied cherries and a touch of caramel.  Dry, lighter body, lightly round mouthfeel.  Bright tart flavours of red fruit, raspberries, and red cherries.  Strong violets flavour as well. Medium-plus length.

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

You can purchase these wines through the St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery website.  The 2020 Gamay Noir is now listed on their website for sale.