Although the winters of 2021-22 and 2022-23 were extremely cold in Lillooet, Fort Berens Estate Winery was able to harvest grapes from their two vineyards. Here are two wines from Fort Berens Estate Winery coming from their estate fruit. These two wines come from their Reserve level, which typically means coming from estate grapes, with the grapes getting longer hang time to reach full phenolic ripeness, may include indigenous yeasts for fermentation, and extended barrel aging. These two wines show off the quality of their vineyards and the winemaking process. Let me tell you about these wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2022 (BC $43.99)
A blend of 88% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from their Dry Creek and Red Rock vineyards. Winemaker’s notes, “The grapes were hand-harvested and hand-sorted before they were destemmed and crushed. A 2-day cold soak allowed for optimal fruit extraction before starting fermentation. For colour and flavour extraction, pumpovers were done every 4 hours with fermentation temperatures increasing to 28 degrees for peak extraction. After fermentation, a 9-day post maceration was done on the skins for further colour and fine tannin extraction. The wine aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. 10% new oak, 25% 2nd and 25% 3rd fill, with the remainder in neutral oak.”
Appearance: A clear, deep garnet colour.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of smoked meat, black plum, dark fruits and touches of capsicum and oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium-body with a smooth, soft, light mouthfeel. Medium acidity and tannins. Juicy berries, plums and blackberries flavours, plus a touch of cinnamon. Some capsicum with swirling in the glass. Add some pepperiness toward the finish after decanting.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with black fruit, plums, and hints of dark chocolate, pepper and sweet spice. There is also a bit of a buttery texture at the very medium. Medium to medium-plus tannins on the finish. Less chocolate and no butteriness on the finish after decanting.
A lighter bodied Cabernet Franc. Integrated tannins and acidity with subtle berries and dark fruit flavours. A balanced wine that can age 5 or more years. Undecanted is slightly better as I enjoy the capsicum and dark chocolate on the palate.
Rating: 
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Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2022 opens with medium intensity aromas of smoked meat, black plum, dark fruits, and light capsicum with a touch of oak. The wine is dry and medium-bodied with a smooth, soft mouthfeel, showing juicy berries, plums, blackberries, hints of cinnamon, and a subtle peppery note emerging toward the finish. It finishes with a medium plus length, offering black fruit, plum, dark chocolate, sweet spice, and moderate tannins, with less chocolate and no butteriness after decanting.
Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Wild Ferment Riesling 2023(BC $29.99)
Wild ferment means that the winemaker used the yeasts that were naturally on the grapes in the vineyard were used in the fermentation process. You never know what aromas and flavours these yeasts will impart upon the wine, which makes the process a little exciting. Fortunately in most cases, the wines produced have a nice range of enjoyable aromas and flavours. This wine is no exception.
Winemaker’s notes, “With cool nights during ripening, the 100% estate grown Riesling grapes were picked later in the season at optimal ripeness from our Dry Creek Vineyard and Red Rock Vineyard. The longer hanging time and cool nights added to the richness in flavour. 40% of the grapes were destemmed and crushed with 12 hours of skin contact for flavour. The other 60% of the grapes were whole-cluster pressed for added mouthfeel. A long and slow natural fermentation took place in a combination of 225L & 400L French oak barrels, and then the wine further matured for 7 months in barrels. 16% second fill French oak barrels were used, with the rest in neutral oak to retain the freshness of the wine.”
Appearance: A bright, clear, deep, lemon colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium intensity, deep aromas of ripe lemon, crisp apple, a hint of sweet spices, and some lanolin with air. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, lighter body and mouthfeel. Smooth on the palate, with a touch of acidic prickle on the tongue. Bright citrus / lemon and crisp apple, and a touch of grape stem. Add a touch of lanolin with swirling. Pronounced flavours. No change on the palate after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus to long length, finishing with tart citrus, a touch of pepperiness and honey and some lanolin with swirling. Add a touch of grape stem to the finish after decanting.
An excellent quality Riesling. Racy acidity and lots of citrus fruits on the nose and palate. This wine will age nicely. No need to decant. Buy some to age and enjoy as well.
Rating: Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Wild Ferment Riesling 2023 offers medium intensity aromas of ripe lemon, crisp apple, subtle sweet spice, and a hint of lanolin. It is dry with a lighter body and smooth mouthfeel, showing bright citrus and apple flavours with a light acidic prickle and a touch of grape stem. The wine finishes medium plus to long with tart citrus, with touches of pepperiness, honey, and lanolin, with grape stem notes lingering after decanting.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can buy both these wines from the Fort Berens Estate Winery website:
- Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Wild Ferment Riesling 2023
- Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2022
The Reserve Riesling is available at BC Liquor stores. These wines may be available at private wine shops, but you will need to check.
