Tantalus Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir - 87-89pts

Tantalus Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC


Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This single-vineyard Pinot Noir strives to express terroir first and foremost and tends to succeed every year with a consistent profile of blended bright fruits and earth notes on the nose followed by a nicely layered, albeit very dry palate of raspberry, spice, mushroom and mineral flavours. Balance is a bit sharp and austere, though more time in the bottle should foster further cohesion. Drink mid-2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir - 88-89pts

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: December , 2010

Tasting Notes: West Kelowna winery Tantalus Vineyards is mostly known for their various outstanding Rieslings which include a release made from some of the valley's oldest vinifera vines, an icewine and even a sparkling wine release made in the traditional Champagne method. A justified notoriety as these wines produce awards and positive reviews yearly. However, they should also be known for a block of estate grown Pinot Noir vines which produces a quality (and sometimes fantastic: see 2007 review) wine year-in, year-out.

The 2008 vintage, although not the blockbuster that the 2007 was, is a solid and delicious Pinot Noir with an excellent balance of red fruit and savoury characters with a touch of fragrant aromatics. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, French vanilla, toasted oak, rose petals and cured meets adorn the intense nose. The dry, medium-bodied palate follows with layers of red fruit, earth, minerals and oak flavours. A progression from juicy texture to acid kick to tannic finish with lingering toasted oak spice. Drink 2011-2015.

With each release Tantalus' reputation will increase as a top producer of Pinot Noir. A status the winery strengthens with practise like bottling a younger block of Pinot Noir vines as a separate release called "Juveniles". The wines are available from the winery direct or via your local VQA store.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling - 91pts

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling (Kelowna) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery or VQA stores

Cost: $22-$25

Date Tasted: January 2010

Tasting Notes: This riesling lives up to the hype. The appearance was clear straw.  On the nose expressions of petrol, butter, and green apple. The palate is clean and crisp with full fruit. Green apple continues with grapefruit and high acid. The finish was long and luscious and coats the mouth. Overall this is an extremely fine medium plus bodied wine with near perfect balance.  Works well with food.

Watch out for Tantalus. This relatively new winery has set the bar extremely high with their 2007 offerings and I look forward to future vintages. Tantalus has their focus right. Amazing riesling and great pinot noir. Drink now through 2014.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Tantalus Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir - 92+pts

Tantalus Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Kensington Square VQA Store

Cost: $30.00

Tasting Notes: A gorgeous wine. The best pinot noir of the year in my opinion. The appearance is ruby and concentrated. The nose was earthy and woody with notes of wet stone and forest floor. The palate had light oak with smooth cedar. The finish was long with medium tannins. An excellent terroir driven Pinot.

An elegant and subtle pinot noir with some old world style. The wine is extremely complex and I think it would benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar. Buy lots of this wine!!! HC