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SpearHead Winery 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 410 cases
Date Tasted: June 23rd, 2023

Tasting Notes: A beautifully earthy Pinot Noir from Pinot specialists, SpearHead Winery in East Kelowna. Look for savoury and forest notes to be well supported by vibrant red fruit and sour cherry skins on both the boisterous nose and the dry palate. Lots of texture to enjoy with both supple and energetic elements in the mouth and through to the long finish which offers lingering vanilla and spice. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2023-2026.

SpearHead Winery 2022 Pinot Gris - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2022 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2023

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage for East Kelowna's SpearHead Winery of the often underappreciated Pinot Gris grape. When executed with precision and care as SpearHead consistently does, Pinot Gris can yield a crisp, yet, generous wine with aromas and flavours of white peach, mellon, pears, citrus and gravel. The result is a wine which drinks - simply - beautifully.

You can find this underappreciated and overlooked white in most BC Liquor stores these days. Sure, you might get two, cheap bottles of Italian Pinot Grigio for the same price, but they will be plain and forgettable. You will remember yourself enjoying this wine and you will find yourself buying more. Drink now-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2023

Tasting Notes: A rich and robust Chardonnay sourced from the Naramata Bench which offers a boisterous nose of both Tropical and orchard fruit with zesty lemon notes, a touch of minerality and malolactic, buttery goodness, . Lots of texture on the equally intense, leesy palate thanks to time in oak and to its mouth-watering acidity from crisp apple and citrus flavours. A peaches'n'cream, wrap-you-in-a-warm-blanket-but-keep-you-awake-with-a shot-of-lemon Chardonnay to be sure. Drink now-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 506 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a vineyard in Summerland, the Golden Retreat Pinot Noir is the art-school attending cousin to the classically training Saddle Block label. More quirky and outspoken but perhaps with a little less depth for this 2020 release. Sour plum and cherry notes throughout with brambly acidity, dusty tannins and earthy chocolate and spices in supporting rolls on the feminine nose and boisterous palate. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 443 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Keeps with the label's style of being the earthiest Pinot Noir in the winery's portfolio of single-vineyard bottlings. The 2020 Saddle Block offers the comfort of earth and forest notes beautifully supported by rich, pruny fruit and incense on the pleasant, elegant nose. A dry, medium-everything palate follows bringing similar flavours and layers of textures from dark chocolate tannins to Christmas spices to tangy, dried-cranberries. Vanilla and spice linger on the finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2023-2026.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 188 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Fresh and tropical on the nose with a layer of candied fruit, the Saddle Block is one of two Chardonnay the East Kelowna winery produces using the same, Burgundian clone and, presumably, the same, general techniques. Sourced from their home vineyards, this is an uber-expressive, operatic wine with over-the-top intensity and lots of tangy acidity on the tropical'n'melon flavoured palate. It won't be for everyone, especially those expecting the predictable comfort of a partially-oaked, refined Chardonnay. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 490 cases (750ml) + 48 magnums
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Offers some of the tropical fruit notes of its East Kelowna-sourced, portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay, but otherwise stands on its own with a unique blend of elegant and party-boat characters. Fruit cup and a medley of ripe and tangy orchard aromas and flavours pair nicely with a touch of minerality, subtle savoury elements and a gentle kiss of oak. Finish is long and well balanced. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A rich and opulent rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes, opening with a peachy-strawberry scented nose followed by a refreshing, yet, plump palate of similar flavours, additional mineraly, grapefruit notes and enough cranberry acidity to keep the finish light and crisp. Just about everything you want from a BC blush. Drink now-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: April 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A (very) off-dry, yet, well-balanced Riesling with a pleasing mix of ripe apple, pear and peach notes on the mineral-scented nose. The palate has solid, fresh peach acidity to contrast the plumpy melon and kiwi-passion fruit flavours and is far less racy than the mouth-smacking, leaner 2020 vintage (and still available at the writing of this review). Pair the sweater 2021 edition with rich, hard cheeses or your favourite salty snack. Ready to go now. Drink now-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2021 White Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $28 + taxes

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: This white is an absolute gem; rich, refreshing and unique. Made from the winery's signature grape, Pinot Noir, this beautiful, fleshy, Blanc de Noirs can attribute its lack of colour to the limiting of skin contract during the crush. Both full bodied and vibrant with white peach acidity and unctuous fruit characters of honeydew melon and papaya. Pair with a white fish dish or try it at a Mother's Day brunch with your eggs Benedict. Drink now-2022.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 169 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay, using the same Burgundian clone 95 as its portfolio cousin from the Naramata Bench, is sourced from the winery's home vineyard in East Kelowna and offers a similar flavour profile but with a more elegant and balanced result. Here the oak treatment is subtle and lovingly structures the happy marriage of ripe orchard and melon fruit to the lively, tanginess of the citrus fruit. The finish is long and balanced. Drink 2021-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $42
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 485 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from a vineyard on the Naramata Bench planted exclusively with the Burgundian, Clone 95, similar to its portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay. This Naramata version is full and generous with both melon and orchard fruit throughout. Balance is attained through the existence of fresh and tangy citrus fruit present on the expressive nose and refreshing palate. Oak treatment is a bit heavy with with lingering wood bitters on the lime rind'n'spice-infused finish. Drink 2021-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 93pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $42
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 430 cases
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Opens with a stunning, generous nose of nicely integrated, earthy cherry, spiced plum and vanilla-kissed oak aromas which spill out of the glass without being overwhelming. A similar profile of flavours awaits on the elegant palate, enveloped by lively, bramble-berry acid, medium tannins and lingering, smooth, earthy spices. Possibly the winery's new benchmark release for its Pinot Noir portfolio.

Ready to go now or hold for a few years. Bring this beauty out for a perfect Christmas turkey companion. Drink 2021-2026+

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: July 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's earthiest Pinot from their line-up of single-vineyard releases is the Old World-ish, Saddle Block, named for the contours of the original planting of Pinot Noir clones in their home vineyard. Earth and forest notes are supported by rich aromatics and cherry skin aromas. The dry, medium-everything palate that follows feels both supple and energetic in the mouth and delivers a touch more fruit than the restrained nose. Vanilla and spice linger on the satisfying finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2021-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 350 cases
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A nicely textured Pinot Noir with lively acidity, warmth from spices and alcohol, and well-integrated, complex aromas. Opaque and unfiltered the grapes for this wine were sourced from a single-vineyard near West Kelowna with volcanic soils and showcase a medley of scents and flavours from smokey herbs'n'spice and black raspberries on the nose to savoury'n'sweet earth and succulent wild berries on the palate. Ready to go now or hold for 3+ years. Drink 2021-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 440 cases
Date Tasted: July 15th, 2021

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's Golden Retreat Vineyard is located in Summerland and produces the most feminine of their three site-specific bottlings of Pinot Noir. Elegant and complex on the nose with aromas of ripe plum, sour cherry, crème de cassis and a variety of warm, dusty spices. Opulent on the equally complex palate where there is a lovely balance between bright, brambly acid, savoury flavours and round, juicy fruit. Ready to go now or hold for 4-5 years. Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure. Drink 2021-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Riesling - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: April 16th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Wow. This is a racy, lip-smacking, mouth-whacking, palate-cleansing Riesling. Opens with a seductive nose of green apple, grapefruit, lemon/lime and raw honey which is followed by similar flavours and additional notes of flint on the palate which has been balanced to finish dry. Ready to go now. Serve with seafood or pork chops. Drink 2021-2023.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé - 87pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 542 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2021

Tasting Notes: More robust and a touch dryer than recent vintages, the 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé opens with a peach and rhubarb-scented nose with subtle notes of wet stone and lime leaves adding depth. Palate is textured and refreshing, albeit, a bit short-lived beyond its initial attention-grabbing entrance. Pair it with your next backyard picnic spread and serve it in its youth. Drink 2021-2022.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Gris - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: April 14th, 2021

Tasting Notes: The balance of the 2020 edition of Spearhead's popular Pinot Gris is spot on with a touch more residual sugar than recent vintages contrasting beautifully with the zesty, citrus and white peach flavours and acidity. Though, don't jump to the refreshing palate before taking time to appreciate the racy and vibrant peach-fest nose.

This is the ultimate Summer sipper for its ratio of quality to refreshingness to affordability. Buy it by the case and drink it with friends, 6 feet apart:). Drink now-2023.

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2020

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's flagship Pinot Noir is a barrel select blend of multiple clones and vineyard sites and checks all the right boxes for an outstanding BC Pinot Noir; brooding cherry notes, earth and forest tones, smoky tannins and wildberry acidity. Put this beauty down for 2 more years to further integrate and mature. Drink 2022-2028.

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