Availability: Direct from winery here. Select VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 800 cases
Date Tasted: October, 2010
Tasting Notes: Red wine blends with Pinot Noir as a main component have a tendency to be easily maligned as serious Pinot people will stay away quipping about "terroir" and the general public tends to lean towards the familar Cab-Merlot style for comfort. However, over the past few years many beautiful and very tasty examples have been made in BC: Blackwood Lane's Vicuna Roja, Road 13's Honest John's Red and the recent Nichol Vineyard 9 Mile come to mind. Pinot Noir blends tend to be less powerful and more nuanced than Cab-Merlot blends. And although they may not have always been in the winemaker's plans at the start of harvest, they deserve respect when the finished product is as tasty as this one.
The Stag's Hollow offering is a blend of 39% Pinot Noir, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 5% Gamay Noir. It's ever-so-slightly sweet with a touch (2.5 g/l) of residual sugar but has the acid to balance. Medium-to-low tannins lead your senses to focus on the medley of dark fruits on the nose and palate. The oak treatment is more noticeable on the palate and adds texture. An excellent food wine that would pair nicely with tomato-based pasta sauces or stews. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2010-2011.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010
See also:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2008 SHV Pinot Noir
Stag's Hollow Winery 2008 Syrah
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