Availability: Sold out at the winery. Some VQA and private wine shops have it in stock
Cost: $53-60
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 3300 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2011
Tasting Notes: The estate vineyard that produces the Nota Bene seems to have soaked up every heat unit and ray of sunshine the sun served up during the hot Indian Summer of 2009. The fruit characters on the gorgeous nose and juicy, sublime palate are the ripest since the 2003 vintage - the year of the devastating forest fires that hit Kelowna. Higher extraction and more modern vinification techniques have upped the concentration and increased the potential cellar life for this highly collected blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc.
Originally tasted as a barrel sample in October 2010 (as part of a 10 year vertical tasting) this true BC icon has evolved nicely over the past year in bottle and still has a ways to go yet before being completely user friendly. Look to open yours in mid-2012 to avoid a balance skewed towards the bold yet smooth tannins. Drink mid-2012-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca