Two years ago Valley Commons, a new BC winery, launched at the new District Wine Village in the south Okanagan. I visited the winery and the Village in the Fall to taste their inaugural vintages which Mark Simpson of BC Wine Studio crafted. I picked up a bottle of their Valley Commons Cabernet Franc 2018 to take home. I opened the wine this past weekend and was quite impressed with the ongoing quality in the bottle. Let me tell you about it.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Valley Commons Cabernet Franc 2018
Appearance: A dull, medium-plus intensity garnet colour. About 70% opaque. Teardrops were visible on the sides of the glass after swirling (14.7% alc).
Nose: This wine has a medium-intensity nose with inviting fruity aromas; red fruits, a hint of candied cherries, sweet spices, cedar and a touch of oak. I did not note any changes to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-bodied, soft with a lightly round mouthfeel. Lower acidity and medium-drying tannins. Inviting fresh red fruit flavours along with red cherries, sweet spices, some candied red cherries and a touch of pepperiness. The wine is smoother, thicker and rounder on the palate after decanting. I picked up some cedar and a touch of floral on the palate. Lighter tannins and no pepperiness.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with red fruits, red cherries and light peppeiness. Medium-intensity drying tannins. Some tart red fruit on the finish after decanting, along with additions of oak and cedar notes.
An elegant wine with a light touch. Nicely structured. Decanted is a bit nicer with a smoother, bigger mouthfeel.
Rating: 
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This wine has a dull garnet colour. Medium-intensity fruit red fruit aromas along with sweet spices and cedar. Dry, medium-bodied with a soft and lightly round mouthfeel. Inviting red fruit flavours, along with red cherries and sweet spices. Lower acidity and medium tannins. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
This vintage is sold out, but you can purchase their 2021 Cabernet Franc (BC $34.90) online at www.valleycommons.ca.
