I’ve been looking forward to tasting these two Provenance Series wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery since receiving them last month. I opened the Township 7 Provenance Series Chardonnay 2020 and Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.
2020 was a difficult vintage with a cool, wet spring, a hot dry July and August and frost in mid-October followed by snow on October 23. As a result, the harvest had slightly lower sugar levels but balanced with good acidity. This should provide a wine with finesse and ageability. Let me tell you about these two limited-production wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Township 7 Provenance Series Chardonnay 2020 (BC $25.97)
From the winery, “This well integrated Chardonnay was predominantly sourced (75%) from Hidden Terrace vineyard in Oliver with small additions from other select sites including our Naramata Bench Estate. Half the wine was fermented in French oak barriques (225L neutral barrels) with the remaining 50% in stainless steel. A 7 day fermentation at 18°C, contributed to a roundness of texture. The wine in barrel then underwent malolactic fermentation to further enhance the texture and complexity, while the stainless-steel portion maintained the natural acidity.” 328 cases only made.
Appearance: A bright, clear, medium-minus intensity colour cross between lemon and straw.
Nose: Medium intensity, elegant nose showing ripe stone fruits, apples, hints of honey, oak and orange. With air, you get some toastiness and baby powder scents. The wine with decanting, shows the same range of aromas plus pineapple.
Palate: Dryish, medium-plus body, overall smooth and round, but has a slight acidic prickle. Medium acidity. Pineapple, citrus, and apple on the palate with a touch of toast and some stoniness toward the finish. The acidity bumps up to medium-plus with decanting, plus there is more minerality to the wine and a touch of honey and orange to add to the flavour profile.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with a mix of pineapple and crisp apple. Some stoniness, acidic prickle, and light oak. Round mouthfeel to the finish. Same finish with decanting.
I could sip this wine all day! No overpowering flavours. Subtle oak along with nice level of acidity and texture on the palate. No need to decant.
Rating: 
Medium-minus intensity lemon-straw colour. Medium-intensity aromas of stone fruits, apples, hints of honey, oak and orange. Dryish, medium-plus body, smooth and round. Nice acidity. Pineapple, citrus, and apple on the palate with a touch of toast. Medium-plus length.
Township 7 Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (BC $33.97)
From the winery, “This vintage was crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate Blue Terrace Vineyard in Oliver with the remainder from Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos. The Blue Terrace grapes have a rich fruit profile to balance the intense tannins from the Raju fruit, located close to the US border. A 21-day maceration period with varied cap management promoted rich fruit and tannin extraction. Gentle pressing and subsequent malolactic fermentation in primarily French oak barrels (1/3 of which were new), enhanced softening of the mouthfeel.”
Appearance: Deep, dull purple colour. 90% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of black plum, sweet spices, red fruit, blackberries, and touches of capsicum, oak and cedar. You get cinnamon spice with air and more black fruit scents. The aromas stay the same with decanting.
Palate: Dryish, medium body, round with a soft mouthfeel. Plush tannins. Medium flavour intensity of blackberries primarily with a touch of black cherries, and oak bitterness. The wine becomes more mouth-filling with decanting and the black fruit flavours become a bit more expressive. Also touches of capsicum, cinnamon, and blueberry flavours.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with medium-plus drying tannins. Black fruit flavours with a touch of sweet spices and bitterness. About the same length and flavours after decanting.
The wine opens up a bit more on the palate with decanting giving you more black fruit flavours.
Rating: 
– A deep, dull purple colour. Medium-minus intensity aromas of black plum, sweet spices, red fruit, blackberries, and touches of capsicum, oak and cedar. Dryish, medium body, round mouthfeel. Blackberries primarily with a touch of black cherries, and oak bitterness. Plush tannins get firmer on the finish. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines through the Township 7 website:
You can also purchase their wines at their two winery locations. One on the Naramata Bench (1450 McMillan Ave., Penticton, BC) and the other in Langley (21152 16th Avenue (at 212th), Langley, BC).
