Tasting
Notes
2004 Cabernet Franc
Deep ruby in colour with an attractive bouquet of spicy fruit,
sweet toasty oak and voiolets. Rich flavours of ripe cherries, licorice,
hints of chocolate and a subtle smokiness. Bright fruit sensation,
clean tasting and nicely balanced with medium weight, soft tannins
and good acid structure. This wine will definately benefit from
some additional cellaring.
2003 Cabernet Franc
Deep ruby red in color, the nose shows aromas of sweet crushed
blackberries and mint, with a touch of vanilla. The palate is dry,
full bodied, with rich flavors of succulent ripe black fruits and
a long finish. Pairs well with leg of lamb, steak and strong cheeses.
2002 Cabernet Franc
Deep, spicy blackberry and cherry fruit with herbal complexities.
Rich, vibrant blackberry flavours with hints of chocolate, tobacco
and coffee. Full bodied and smooth on the palate with good fruit
intensity, depth and balance
2001 Cabernet Franc
An incredibly complex bouquet
features black cherry fruit complemented by hints of mahogany, chocolate,
mint, honey, leather and tobacco. Big and smooth bodied with full
blackberry fruit flavours ornamented by many of the same nuances
as the bouquet together with cola and licorice. A truly beautiful,
complex, mouthfilling Cabernet Franc.
2000 Cabernet Franc
Harvested over 23 brix. Aged
16 months in French and American barrels. 750 cases bottled March
2002. Very aromatic, with notes of sage, mint, and forest floor.
The intensity, concentration, and ample tannins suggest it will
develop further with bottle aging.
1999 Cabernet Franc
This elegant wine is one of the best
expressions so far of the Cabernet Franc varietal in British Columbia.
It features big, velvety blackberry, cherry, raspberry, Saskatoon
berry and cassis aromas and flavours ornamented by hints of almond,
caramel and subtle, well-integrated oak. This smooth, mouthfilling
wine is framed by mellow tannins that will ensure cellaring potential
and further development well into the future.
1998 Cabernet Franc
Winemakers throughout the world recognize
that Cabernet Franc rarely makes a stand-alone wine. It usually
plays a supporting role as a blender with Cabernet Sauvignon or
Merlot, as its beguiling aromas are not often matched on the palate.
Only in exceptional vintages in well drained soils does it deserve
bottling on its own. This small bottling of 12 barrels allows us
to study Cabernet Franc in an exceptional Okanagan vintage from
the sandy soils of the Southern Okanagan Valley.
Cabernet Franc
| Chardonnay | Meritage
| Merlot | Pinot
Gris | Pinot Noir | Syrah
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma in this wine are an intense,
rich expression of varietal primary fruits, including cassis and
black berry, interwoven with toasty oak tones, tobacco, cedar and
cloves. On the palate, there are soft, luscious tannins with length
and balance, and a nice, warm finish. This wine rounds out the reds
of 2005 which was an outstanding vintage.
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon with rich, outgoing varietal
character and flavours, complemented by great body, and backed by
the mellowest of tannins. Full blackberry and plum flavours are
ornamented by nuances of mint, chocolate and subtle spices. This
is a big, flavourful Cabernet Sauvignon with great finesse.
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
A deep, dark cherry red, showing intense aromas of blackcurrant,
chocolate and mint. There is a touch of vanilla derived from the
ageing in small oak barrels. Dry, full bodied, with ripe concentrated
fruit, fine yet firm tannins, delicious flavors of rich ripe black
fruits, and a long powerful finish. It drinks well now but will
improve for 3-5 years.
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Virtually
black in colour. Rich plummy blackberry bouquet with deep beet root
and meaty notes ornamented by subtle spices. Full blackberry and
plum flavours with lots of depth and jammy, bacon fat complexity.
This is a huge wine in every respect, very impressive in its youth
with everything it needs to continue developing long into the future.
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Darkest red colour. Deep black currant
and blackberry aromas with hints of chocolate, cola and just a touch
of bell pepper. Velvety smooth on the palate with rich blackberry
flavours and subtle, well integrated oak complexities. Framed by
the mellowest of tannins through a long, cassis finish. A beautifully
ripe, mellow Cabernet Sauvignon with lots of varietal character.
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Virtually
black in colour. A classic Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet of ripe, plummy
berry aromatics with a hint of bell pepper and nuances of caramel
and vanilla. Lush and chewy on the palate with full bodied blackberry
fruit and a hint of cracked pepper backed by smooth tannins. A big,
ripe, mellow Cab - one of B.C.'s biggest.
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Aged 18 months in a combination of French
and American oak barrels. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11%
Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. A melange of cedar, mint and blueberry
aromas, finishing with hints of dill and anise.
1998 Cabernet Sauvignon
The '98 vintage provided ideal ripening
conditions, producing a wine of intensity and concentration. After
fermentation in stainless steel tanks, malolactic fermentation took
place in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. The final
blend, with 15% Merlot included for refinement and complexity, was
made the following summer and returned to barrels for a total of
20 months of barrel ageing. The wine was bottled in August 2000
without fining or filtration.
Lovely blackberry and currant aromas, with hints of cedar and toasty
oak. While concentrated and rich on the palate, a firm structure
promises excellent ageability.
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
Complex, layered aroma with notes of
capsicum, cedar, tobacco leaf and cassis in a framework of roasted
coffee and cocoa from extended barrel ageing. Taut structure, balancing
firm acidity and supple tannins.
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Meritage | Merlot
| Pinot Gris | Pinot
Noir | Syrah
CHARDONNAY
2006 Chardonnay
This wine displays classic stone-fruit
aromas of white peach and white nectarine along with hints of orange
blossom and rich toasted oak. The flavours continue onto the palate
with the stonefruit and oak melding to transform the wine into a
complex expression of Okanagan Chardonnay. Texturally, the wine
is big and round in the mouth with a soft, viscous mouthfeel and
a nutty, warm finish. Drink now through 2010.
2005
Chardonnay
Intense aromas of ripe melon, pear, mango
and apple combine with subtle vanilla from 100% maturation in French
oak barrels. The palate is dry, full bodied, with a creamy texture,
plenty of weight, fresh acidity, and concentrated flavours of tropical
fruits in an elegant style.
2004 Chardonnay
Intense aromas of ripe melon, pear, mango
and apple combine with the subtle vanilla from maturation in oak
casks. The palate is dry, quite full bodied, with a creamy texture,
plenty of weight, fresh acidity, and concentrated flavors of tropical
fruits in an elegant style. Pairs well with roast chicken, pasta
in a cream sauce, wild BC salmon and sushi.
2003 Chardonnay
Big orchard and tropical fruit bouquet
ornamented with toasty oak complexities. Hints of pineapple, mango
and peach. Lush, rich peach and tropical fruit flavours with rich
caramel highlights and nuances of well integrated oak. Fresh, tangy
Seville orange on the finish. Mouthfilling, approachable and delightful.
2002 Chardonnay
Delicate bouquet of peach and melon with
a hint of fresh mango and subtle herbal and toasty complexities.
Rich peach and orchard fruit flavours with added complexity from
well integrated oak nuances and a tang of mango. A
smooth, mouthfilling Chardonnay with lots of depth and finesse
2001 Chardonnay
Rich, toasted oak and ripe orchard fruit
aromatics. Smooth peach, nectarine, pineapple and caramel flavours
with lots of depth and complexity. Well balanced through a long,
tangy citrus finish. A big, full-flavoured, beautifully developed
chardonnay.
2000 Chardonnay
100% barrel fermented in French oak,
aged on the lees for 9 months, full malolactic fermentation. Fragrant,
with hints of peach, mango and lime, framed with toasty oak. Bright
acidity with a rich, buttery finish.
1999 Chardonnay
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is located
in one of the warmer sites in the Okanagan, allowing us to harvest
reasonably early in a cool year. A full malolactic fermentation
was initiated and the wine was entirely barrel fermented in French
oak and aged on the yeast lees. The
flavours denote pear, fig and apple framed with hints of nutmeg
and butter, rich and concentrated, with balanced acidity.
1998 Chardonnay
Layers of ripe apple and pear fruit,
reflecting the warm vintage, with hints of mineral and flint. Rich
juicy palate with lingering flavours of toast and honey.
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Chardonnay | Merlot
| Pinot Gris | Pinot
Noir | Syrah
MERITAGE
2005 Meritage
Aromas of heady, smoky, mixtures
of violets, cassis, blackberry, plums, vanilla, cloves, and toasty
oak. On the palate, the wine is firm yet subtle, offering big, rich
flavours, seamless texture and tremendous persistence of flavours.
2004
Meritage
A beautiful deep, velvety wine with loads of layered complexities.
Rich bouquet of blackberry with hints of almond, mahogany and beetroot.
Smooth, lush berry fruit flavours are infused with chocolate and
cola through a long, elegant finish. This wine is a very exciting
marriage of the traditional Bordeaux varieties.
2003 Meritage
A deep, dark cherry red color with seductive aromas of blackcurrant,
vanilla and chocolate. The palate is dry, full bodied, with high
but fine tannins giving structure. Concentrated and intense on the
palate, showing overall harmony, and long length. It drinks well
now but will improve for 3-5 years.
2002 Meritage
Darkest red colour. A classic full flavoured Bordeaux style wine
that features rich berry fruit and elegant development. The bouquet
ornaments mouthfilling berry fruit with chocolate and coffee complexities
and it is followed by generous outgoing berry fruit flavours knit
with fully integrated oak, all framed by the smoothest of tannins.
The finesse of this wine has brought together the best of its noble
vinifera constituents. Winner of Best of Class in both the Pacific
Rim and L.A. County Fair wine competitions.
2001 Meritage
This is a lean, firm wine,
relflecting the cooler vintage. the aromas are earthy and peppery.
The bright fruit flavours -- cherries, currants and even cranberries
-- make this quite a vivacious wine on the palate.
2000 Meritage
This is an
exceptional wine from a very good vintage. It begins with a powerful
and attractive aroma suggesting plums and black currants and spice.
A wine of brooding ripeness, it just fills the mouth with flavours
-- again plums, spice, licorice, leather, with an underlying sweetness
to the fruit. The texture is full and round and polished. The finish
is quite persistent. The wine is probably at its peak but has the
structure to hold that peak for another five years.
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Chardonnay | Meritage
| Pinot Gris | Pinot
Noir | Syrah
2005
Merlot
This wine has lovely primary red
fruit aromas of cherry, plum, and raspberry along with hints of
cinnamon, cloves, anise, and black pepper. Judicious oak handling
offers up subtle hints of vanilla, butterscotch and caramel. On
the pallet, this full-bodied wine has rich dark fruit flavours,
great balance, and a long, smooth finish.
2004 Merlot
The extended 2004 growing year is reflected
in this beautifully crafted Merlot which exhibits additional depth
and character in both its bouquet and palate. Cherry
and plum aromatics are harmonized with deep beetroot undertones.
Rich plum and bing cherry flavours are full and velvety on the palate,
complemented by almond and black chocolate highlights. A big, elegant
Merlot showing impressive varietal character.
2003 Merlot
This is a brilliant wine, ruby in colour,
with dark berry aromas including cassis, cherry, plum and a hint
of caramel. Big, lush on the palate, with many of the same nuances
as the bouquet, together with varietal complexity. Medium to lingering
finish. A rich, full bodied Merlot
Released June, 2005 - best to hold 6 months.
2002 Merlot
Rich blackberry bouquet with hints of
earthy Saskatoon berry, violets and cracked black pepper. Smooth
and mouthfilling on the palate with loads of deep blackberry and
cherry flavours and a hint of licorice. Rich, lively flavour profile
with a tangy red currant note on the finish. A rich, full bodied
Merlot framed by mellow tannins.
2001 Merlot
Deep berry bouquet with caramel, coffee
and chocolate highlights. Outgoing, vibrant blackberry flavour profile
with jammy richness. Smooth and complex on the palate. A very varietal
Merlot through a long flavourful finish. Well structured, combining
heft as well as finesse and framed by the mellowest of tannins.
2000 Merlot
Harvested over 23 brix. Aged 12 months
in a combination of French and American oak barrels. 2900 cases
bottled March 2002. Dark color, concentrated flavors with hints
of black tea, blueberry, and mint. Soft, approachable finish.
1999 Merlot
Forward black cherry fruit with hints
of black tea and cedar. Generous mid-palate with supple tannins
and a framework of sweet oak.
1998 Merlot
This variety appears to an excellent
fit to the South Okanagan, and it is at it best in this vintage.
Merlot ripened mid-September, well ahead of California. Vinification
took place in the new winery; its design features include gravity
feed from crusher to tank. A year of aging in a combination of French
and American oak barrels in caves below the winery allowed a slow
maturation on the aromas and flavors.
Deep, ruby hue, ripe aromas with hints
of plum and black cherry, with concentrated flavors framed by vanilla
and toast from the oak barrel aging.
1997 Merlot
Closer in weight to Bordeaux than California,
our first Merlot features black cherry/chocolate notes framed in
a mixture of French and American oak.
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Chardonnay | Meritage
| Merlot | Pinot
Noir | Syrah
PINOT GRIS
2006
Pinot Gris
The wine has aromas
of tropical fruit and hints of honey. On the palate there are persistent
flavours of pear with underlying notes of green apple and lemon.
Texturally, the wine has a mouth-filling richness that gives way
to a crisp, minerally finish.
2005
Pinot Gris
Luscious and mouthfilling
with rich peach and orchard fruit flavours and aromas ornamented
by butterscotch highlights. Full and smooth on the palate with loads
of fruit flavours that continue through a long, tangy citrus finish.
Medium bodied and skillfully structured to accompany a wide range
of seafood, pasta and other dishes. A richly flavoured, elegant
Pinot Gris.
2004
Pinot Gris
Seductive aromatics
of mango, tangerine and pineapple with accents of pear and honeysuckle.
While on the palate an expressive tropical entrance with flavours
of mango, pineapple and coconut. A balanced mouthfeel, creamy midpalate
complexity, and a tangy minerally character through the finish.
2003
Pinot Gris
Fresh apple and lime
bouquet with vibrant pineapple and pear highlights. Fresh orchard
fruit flavours with hints of pineapple and tropical fruit. Rich,
creamy mouthfeel. Excellentg as an aperitif and perfect with seafood
and shellfish.
2002 Pinot Gris
Fresh bouquet of peach, pear and subtle
tropical fruit aromas. Smooth and well balanced with generous peach,
pear, apple flavours and hints of lime and mandarin orange through
a long finish. A classy fruit-driven Pinot Gris with subtle development
and elegance.
2001
Pinot Gris
Harvested at 23 brix and cold fermented
in stainless steel tanks. Fresh, vibrant orchard fruit bouquet.
Rich and hearty on the palate with outgoing peach, pear, grapefruit
flavours and classic Pinot Gris earthy complexity. Crisply balanced
and well structured with a long finish.
2000 Pinot Gris
The 2000 harvest produced a smaller than
usual crop but a very ripe one with intense flavours. This wine
has bright fruit, reminiscent of pear and spiced apple. Lively crisp
palate balanced with rich texture.
1999 Pinot Gris
Harvesting of the Pinot Gris blocks began
October 8, almost a month later than in 1998, and finished on October
13. This late growing season presented special challenges, including
frost as early as the last week of September. That this variety
once again attained sugar content over 23%, yielding a wine of 13.5%
alcohol, in a difficult vintage, shows that it is well adapted to
the South Okanagan.
Fragrant, floral and spicy. Bright acidity,
reflecting the cool season, with good concentration and length.
1998 Pinot Gris
A rich and juicy Pinot Gris
with intense fruit. The bright spicy aromas are reminiscent of fresh
pears and melon.
1997 Pinot Gris
This powerful wine serves
up ripe pear, pineapple and peach aromas and follows with concentrated
(stone) fruit flavours and a smoky element. The sweet fruit flavours
linger on the long and complex finish
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Chardonnay | Meritage
| Merlot | Pinot
Gris | Syrah
PINOT NOIR
2006 Pinot Noir
This wine displays lifted aromas of ripe
cherries, and a complex mixture of vanilla, toast, spice, and leathery
notes. On the palate the wine has a vibrant expression of ripe cherries
and strawberries followed by forest berry flavors. It has beautiful
balance and a lovely, smooth mouth-feel with soft approachable tannins.
This wine personifies elegance and finesse.
2005 Pinot Noir
Barrel aged in French oak for one year,
this wine has pleasing smokey, toasted vanilla overtones. Hints
of spicey black pepper & cedar, with a great balance of fruit: black
raspberry, strawberry, plum and cassis. A well balanced wine, nice
and clean, with good body and a long smooth finish.
2004 Pinot Noir
Inviting aromas of spice, raspberries
and cherries. The palate is dry, medium bodied with plenty of ripeness
and warmth of flavor. Pairs well with BC salmon, roast chicken and
lightly grilled meats.
2003 Pinot Noir
As welcome alongside a filet of salmon
as a filet of beef or a roast – whether veal, chicken or beef.
It will accompany your Christmas turkey or duck and works well with
cream style fresh goat and soft rind cheeses.
2002 Pinot Noir
Full, deep, spicy, wild cherry bouquet
with earthy depth and complexity. Full bodied and smooth on the
palate, loaded with rich cassis and black cherry flavours and jammy
fig nuances. Beautifully balanced. A rich, mouth-filling Pinot Noir.
2001 Pinot Noir
A big, warm, toasty Pinot Noir with loads
of ripe berry fruit. Rich
and complex with nuances of coffee, burnt almond, dark chocolate
and
cola on the bouquet and palate. Smooth, mouthfilling and velvety.
2000 Pinot Noir
This big, full flavoured wine displays
the best of Pinot Noir characteristics - full body and rich flavours
combined with smoothness and elegance. A deep, complex bouquet marries
ripe berry aromas with toasty oak to produce nuances of cherry,
raspberry, cola, mahogany, leather and chocolate which are echoed
on the palate ornamenting the deep chocolate cherry flavours. Its
rich intensity is made elegant by velvety tannins and smooth mouthfeel.
An outstanding Pinot Noir.
1999 Pinot Noir
Ten tons of Pinot Noir were
harvested on October 21 1999 from a block in Burrowing Owl Vineyard,
planted to the Dijon 115 clone, selected in Burgundy for its characteristics
of small clusters and berries, resulting in wines of exceptional
concentration and finesse. The grapes were destemmed and lightly
crushed, leaving many whole berries to maintain intense fruity aromas.
After a warm fermentation in a stainless steel tank, reaching 32
degrees centigrade, the wine was
immediately transferred to a combination of French and American
oak barrels, in which it underwent malolactic fermentation. After
further aging in barrels for ten months, it was bottled in August
2000, yielding 600 cases.
This initial release of Burrowing Owl
Pinot Noir is marked by abundant fruit reminiscent of plums and
black cherries. On the palate it is soft and silky, with a hint
of toasty oak.
Cabernet
Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon
| Chardonnay | Meritage
| Merlot | Pinot
Gris | Pinot
Noir
SYRAH
2005 Syrah
An intoxicating combination of fruit
and spice aromas including plums, black cherries, anise and black
pepper with hints of cinnamon and cedar. On the palate, the wine
shows immense richness and concentration with a seemingly endless
finish. Drink now or be richly rewarded with careful cellaring through
2012.
2004 Syrah
This wine is calculated to set a new
benchmark for Okanagan Valley Syrah combining varietal intensity
and a broad range of aromatic and flavour complexity. Rich blackberry
aromas and flavours set the stage for outgoing spicy, floral overtones
that run from floral violets to spicy clove and cola with hints
of leather, mincemeat and classic cracked white pepper. Big and
full bodied, this wine projects both finesse and vibrance. A great
celebration of Syrah varietal character brought to perfection.
2003 Syrah
Virtually black in colour. Big, deep
spicy blackberry and cassis bouquet with meaty complexities and
coffee and cracked pepper highlights. Pure velvet on the palate
with rich, spicy berry fruit complemented by coffee and chocolate
flavours. Viscous and mouthcoating with great balance and elegance.
One of the biggest and most impressive B.C. Syrahs yet.
2002 Syrah
Deepest black colour. Big meaty blackberry
aromatics ornamented with deep nuances of leather, mahogany and
spice. Big and smooth on the palate with spicy blackberry and cherry
flavours nicely integrated with hints of chocolate, licorice and
cracked pepper. A big, powerful wine that will continue to build
finesse into the future.
2001
Syrah
Virtually
black in colour. Deep black currant bouquet with rich nuances of
leather, mahogany, violets, spice and tobacco. Big and smooth on
the palate with rich jammy cassis ornamented by dark chocolate,
raisin and nutmeg. A big, powerful wine that will continue to open
and build finesse.
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