Painted Rock Estate Winery 2008 Syrah - 89+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2008 Syrah (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2011

Tasting Notes: This is the second vintage of Syrah released from Skaha Bench producer Painted Rock Estate Winery and it takes a turn from the terroir-driven 2007 vintage towards a more oak-driven wine with the 2008 version. 100% new oak is used during the maturation phase (18 months in 70% French and 30% American) which impart prominent vanilla and spice characters to the highly intense nose and dry, old world, Rhone Valley-esk palate. White pepper, dark cherry, cassis, field berry and mocha flavours and aromas are also present but tend to ride pillion with the concentrated oak in charge.

This wine has the tannins and acidity to age and potentially improve if you should desire to lay down a bottle or two. If not, be sure to decant for an hour+ prior to serving. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2008 Merlot - 91+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2008 Merlot (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: April 20th, 2011

Tasting Notes: This intense and age worthy Merlot spends 18 months in new French oak prior to bottling. The oak gives structure to the fine tannins and adds nice vanilla and spice notes to the enchanting nose of dark berries, plum, anise and mocha. The concentrated, dry palate is elegant with a refined texture, good acidity, strong continuity of flavours from the nose and a long finish with lingering spice. I recommend putting a few of these beauties away in your cellar for 2-3 years of further development but if you can't wait be sure to decant for 2hrs+ before serving with a plate of fine dark chocolate. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2007 Syrah - 90+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2007 Syrah (Skaha Lake) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Select private wine shops and VQA stores.

Cost: $39.90

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: May 28th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Every Painted Rock wine of its inaugural vintage (2007 for the reds) is made from 100% estate-grown fruit and aged in 100% new French oak. For the winery's Syrah offering this practice has lead to a wine that successfully expresses a sense of terroir and acquaints the loveliness of French oak.

The palate starts with concentrated red fruit that quickly evolves into a medley of lasting, smoky cedar, vanilla mocha and pepper flavours. The nose enchants with smoky incense of dried fruit and touch of sweet nibs. The texture is silky and delectable. One imagines a warm, sun-drenched, Okanagan Valley hill when drinking it. An excellent first vintage that is approachable now but should have the legs to last another 3-4 years. Drink 2010-2014. http://www.paintedrock.ca/
 - Liam Carrier