BC’s Mayhem Wines‘ wines are a treat for me. Not causing Mayhem but pleasure and enjoyment. I have two bottles of enjoyment to share with you; Mayhem Wines Naramata Bench Riesling 2022 and Okanagan Valley Cabernet Merlot 2021. 2022 was cooler to start but a long growing season producing quality fruit. 2021 was challenging with major forest fires followed by flooding rains across BC. These two growing seasons do show their impacts on these wines. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Mayhem Wines Naramata Bench Riesling 2022 (BC $28.99++ Marquis Wine Cellars)
211 cases of this wine were produced under screwcap.
Appearance: Medium-plus intensity, bright and clear lemon colour.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of fresh fruit; oranges and lemons, with touches of peach and petrol. Same aromas plus honey after decanting.
Palate: Off-dry, medium body but pronounced flavour intensity and higher acidity. It has a round, thicker mouthfeel. Bright fresh flavours of citrus and stone fruit, plus touches of lime skin and petrol, and a streak of minerality. You get a medium acidic prickle on your tongue. With swirling there are hints of honey and some herbaceousness. Add honey with decanting plus crisp apple flavours toward the finish.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with citrus, stone fruit, a touch of honey and mouthwatering acidity. About the same finish after decanting.
A wine with fresh fruit flavours and vibrant acidity. Can age, but why wait? Decanted is slightly nicer.
Rating: 
– 
A wine with a mix of fresh fruits, citrus and peach, plus a touch of petrol. This wine is off-dry, round mouthfeel and higher acidity. Citrus and stonefruit flavours plus a touch of petrol and minerality. Medium-plus length.
Mayhem Wines Okanagan Valley Cabernet Merlot 2021 (BC $24.44)
A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. 425 cases were produced. Also under screwcap.
Appearance: A deep, dull garnet colour, about 80% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity nose with meaty, smoked meat, red fruit, red plums, and toast aromas. Add capsicum aroma with decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium body with a smooth mouthfeel. Medium intensity and acidity with soft tannins that firm up with air as well as on the finish. Black fruit, raspberries, red and black cherries, plums, oak, plus some smoky bbq flavours. I also get a touch of floral with air. The fruit flavours persist with decanting, but you get lighter softer tannins, which I prefer. And I also picked up a hint of capsicum.
Finish: Medium-length finishing with drying tannins, a mix of red and black fruits, and a touch of pepperiness. Lighter tannins on the finish with decanting.
Some of the smokiness I think may come from the forest fires in BC that year. It is not strong, but adds a nice dimension to the wine. I prefer decanting the wine as it softens the tannins. I enjoyed having this wine with slices of redwood smoked cheese.
Rating: 
– A deeper coloured wine. It has medium-minus intensity smoked meat, red fruit and toasty aromas. This wine is dry, medium-bodied, with a smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Black fruit, red and black cherries, plus, plus some smoky bbq flavour. Medium-length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
The Mayhem Wines Riesling 2022 is sold out at the winery, but you can purchase it at Marquis Wine Cellars, Liberty Wine Merchants, other private liquor stores and many restaurants around BC. The Mayhem Wines Okanagan Valley Cabernet Merlot 2021 is available for purchase online at their website and at other private wine stores across BC but you need to ask; not listed at Marquis or Liberty.
