BC has had a few recent hard growing seasons, in particular 2021 and 2023. But then 2024 hit with the devastating cold snap in January, which wiped out the vines for many Okanagan wineries. To continue in business, many wineries were given the option to purchase grapes from outside of BC. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery was one of those wineries, buying grapes from WA and CA states. I received these four bottles of red wines from Township 7’s “Interlude” series, which represents a temporary lull in winemaking with BC grapes, to using outside BC grapes.
Although WA state also was affected by the cold snap, it was not as severe. The summer, though, was above average, helping the vines to recover. Harvest began in late August and September under ideal, sunny conditions with extended hang time. Why am I telling you this? If Okanagan vines survived the winter, then maybe we would expect the same for our 2024 vintage.
To start this inquiry, I opened the Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Interlude Merlot 2024 and Interlude Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 to start, both being Bordeaux varietals. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Interlude Merlot 2024 (BC $33.97)
Appearance: It has a very deep garnet colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of juicy berries, sweet spices, plum, black cherries, black fruit, black pepper, and oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium body with a smooth, soft, lean mouthfeel. Sweet black fruit, berries, plums, and oak on the palate, with touches of vanilla, cherries, and cocoa. Medium acidity and tannins. The round has a rounder, fuller mouthfeel after decanting. No change to the flavours.
Finish: Medium-plus length, finishing with medium drying tannins and some bitterness. Sweet black fruit and oak flavours and pepperiness at the very end. No change to the finish after decanting.
Rating: 
– 
The Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Interlude Merlot 2024 shows a very deep garnet colour with medium-plus aromas of juicy berries, sweet spice, plum, black cherry, black fruit, black pepper, and oak. The palate is dry and medium-bodied with a smooth, soft, lean mouthfeel and medium acidity and tannins, offering sweet black fruit, berries, plum, and oak, with touches of vanilla, cherry, and cocoa. After decanting, the mouthfeel becomes rounder and fuller, while the flavours remain unchanged. It finishes medium-plus in length with medium drying tannins, some bitterness, sweet black fruit, oak, and pepperiness at the very end.
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Interlude Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 (BC $35.97)
Appearance: A deeper, almost opaque garnet colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas showing meatiness, berries, black fruits, and a touch of oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, with a soft, round, smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Ripe black fruits, black cherries, juicy berries, and oak flavours. Medium tannins and acidity. The tannins get stronger toward the finish. No change to the body or flavours after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with black fruit flavours, strong oak, and grippy tannins. No change to the finish after decanting.
With the grippy tannins, I would recommend letting this wine age for 3-5 years before drinking, but if you need to drink it now, have it with hearty fare, like beef roast or stew.
Rating: – The Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Interlude Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 shows a deep, almost opaque garnet colour with medium-minus aromas of meatiness, berries, black fruit, and a touch of oak. The palate is dry with a soft, round, smooth, thicker mouthfeel, offering ripe black fruit, black cherry, juicy berries, and oak, with medium acidity and tannins that become stronger toward the finish. It finishes medium-plus in length with black fruit, pronounced oak, and grippy tannins, with no change to the aromas, palate, or finish after decanting.
Whether the Weather?
Yes, I would say that the summer heat in 2024 really made ripe, big black fruited wines. And I would have expected the same to have happened in the south Okanagan. Central and northern Okanagan should have been warmer, getting riper black grapes and richer, riper white grapes. Such is the fate of our weather systems and farming. We can plan for the future but have to react to the weather that is given to us.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available for purchase online via the Township 7 website. I did not find these wines listed at BCL, Everything Wine, or Save on Foods. You may need to check your local wine shop for availability in person.
