JoieFarm 2016 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2016 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 714 cases
Date Tasted: September 5th, 2018

Tasting Notes: 2016 is another Pinot Noir leading vintage with 40% Gamay making up the blend of the Burgundy inspired duo. This year's PTG is warm, feminine and graceful with a seductive, sugar'n'spice profile of ripe berries, plums, dried flowers, and hints of Christmas cake. Sits beautifully in the mouth with just the right weight and acidity for this medium-intense, food-friendly, effortless blend. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 PTG - 90pts

JoieFarm 2015 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $25.90
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 752 cases
Date Tasted: October 2nd, 2017

Tasting Notes: The make-up of the "PTG" changes for 2015 with the blend consisting of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Gamay Noir sourced from Naramata and Summerland vineyards. Despite the vintage-to-vintage variation, the end-result is surprisingly consistent with its feminine nose of cola and Christmas cake spice and candied fruit aromas and its vibrant palate with spiced-plum, stony earth, vanilla bean and wild berry flavours.

Pair this memorable, well-balanced, food-friendly wine with rich and spicy, Holiday fowl dishes. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2014 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2014 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: November 27th, 2016

Tasting Notes: JoieFarm's rustic "PTG" is an engaging 60/40 split of Gamay and Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards in Penticton and along the Naramata Bench. You'll find a playful nose of red fruit, cola, Christmas cake candied fruit'n'spice and potpourri aromas followed by an intense, mouth watering, medium-bodied palate of cherry, plum, wild berries, vanilla, light oak and sweet earth flavours. Dusty tannins structure the palate nicely and linger with a medley of savoury spice and plum notes on the moderate-plus finish.

Will make a great pairing for rustic stews and roasted game (Christmas dinner, anyone?). Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2013 PTG - 88pts

JoieFarm 2013 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: November 9th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes (55/45% respectively) sourced from Naramata and Summerland vineyards which, together, cook-up a tasty, lively wine with an intriguing combination of candied red fruit, minerals, wild berries, Christmas spices, earthy dry herbs and light oak aromas and flavours. Makes a great pairing for rustic stews and roasted game. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2012 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 650 cases
Date Tasted: November 7th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Gamay, sourced from vineyards along the Naramata Bench and Skaha Bluff, opens with a robust and zesty nose of cherries, plum, wild berries, vanilla, light citrus peel and a euphony of cooking spices. The similarly flavoured, dry and medium-everything palate (body, tannins and acidity) follows with added earthy notes and dry herbs - a great combination of flavours to pair with rustic stews and roasted meats. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2011 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2011 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 530 cases
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2013

Tasting Notes: Joie's PTG, from the French "Passe-Tout-Grains", is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay (historical blending partners in Burgundy) which yields an intriguing melange of funky earthiness and tangy, raciness. Imagine a combination of cherry, raspberry, plum and cranberry fruit heated on a stove top with loads of spice and vanilla, then mix-in elements of the forest, bright acidity and savoury notes like oak and dried herbs and you have the 2011 PTG.

Where the 2010 edition was cellar worthy with aging potential, I see the 2011 better suited for early consumption. Now sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to seal in the inherent freshness of the wine, though, I would recommend a lengthy decanting before drinking to allow the wine to properly express the layers beyond the pure fruit aromas and flavours. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2010 PTG - 90+pts

JoieFarm 2010 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 843 cases
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: This year's PTG sees the Gamay Noir rise to 52% of the traditional Burgundian "Passe-Tout-Grains" blend with Pinot Noir. A welcomed rise which infuses more tangy and spicy red fruit on to the concentrated nose and lush palate. Aged in French oak for 10 months with only 15% new allowing the natural characters of the Pinot Noir and Gamay fruit to dominate the profile while contributing only secondary aromas and flavours of toasted oak. Supported by a nice backbone of mouth-watering, but not sharp, acid and fine, medium tannins. The long finish will add a pleasing dose of spice to accompanying food (think traditional Burgundian fare like Coq au Vin). Ready to be enjoyed now or hold for another 5-6 years with potential improvement. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2009 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2009 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. Private and VQA wine shops
Cost: $26.90 (direct)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 980 cases
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A blend of 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Gamay sourced from multiple Naramata Bench vineyards produced with traditional Burgundian methods including regional oak barrel selection and small lot fermentation. Classic Pinot barnyard/austerity meets familiar Gamay fruity/spice - a unique wine for BC consumers who likely have rarely tasted an authentic "Passetoutgrain" from France for which this wine is in homage. The 2009 version delivers a sharper presentation on the nose and palate than in previous years (2008) resulting in a brighter, crisper and thinner wine more appropriate for food accompaniment than for solo consumption and lengthy contemplation. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2008 PTG - 90-92pts

JoieFarm 2008 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. Select private wine shops
Cost: $29.90 (Direct)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 780 cases
Date Tasted: September 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The JoieFarm "PTG", which stands for "Passetoutgrain", a little known wine from Burgundy, is a delicious blend of Pinot Noir (60%) and Gamay Noir (40%). It combines the classic barnyard funk of a Burgundian-style Pinot Noir with the bright fruitiness of a Beaujolais - all-the-while staying true to its Okanagan roots.

The nose warrants a few moments to appreciate. It starts with meaty barnyard aromas but gives way to cherry nibs and dark berries. Oak, vanilla and a touch of cotton candy add complexity to the intense barnyard and fruit ballet. A nose to remember.

The dry palate has excellent tannic structure with forward fruit flavours of cherry cola, dark fruits and savory spice. Pepper lingers on the moderate and balanced finish. The texture is lively, but purposed with good acidity which makes this an excellent wine to pair with food (well, that's not saying much as all of the JoieFarm wines pair beautifully with food. One suspects winemaker Heidi Noble to have had a particular dish in mind during the blending process of each wine). Drink now or cellar for another 3-4 years for further development. Enjoy 2010-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010
See also:
JoieFarm 2008 Reserve Chardonnay
JoieFarm 2009 A Noble Blend
JoieFarm 2009 Rosé
JoieFarm 2009 Un-Oaked Chardonnay