Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first vintage of Culmina's Bordeaux-blend is an impressive one, and promising for future vintages. Hypothesis earned its name as a 'proposal from the land', with youthful grapes (only 3 year old vines) proving that the Triggs family has planted successfully. Pencil, stone and bramble is lured out of the tight nose. After airtime, juicy blackberry and black florals emerge as well. The structured palate shows black cherry, black liquorice, thorn, black plum, dark clay and savoury spice, stretched across firm, grippy and slightly gummy tannins. Bright acidity carries to a lingering finish. I recommend letting this lie for 2-3 years, or decanting 3-4 hours in advance of enjoying now, and pouring with beef tenderloin or lamb rack.Tasted: 03 April 2015Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$38.00
750ml
winery direct
Producer: Culmina Family Estate WineryDistributors: Principle Fine Wines Blend: Cabernet Franc - Merlot - Cabernet SauvignonUPC: 827413000027
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe best first release I can remember from a local winery and six months down the road at a second tasting it has put on some flesh and weight to add to its appeal. A plethora of pepper, liquorice, tobacco, cedar and violets notes mark its complex Bordelais nose (40/26/34 cabernet franc/merlot/cabernet sauvignon) with cranberry, meaty, black olive aromas. The attack is dry, and elegant, the palate fresh with the fine grain tannins giving way to smoky pepper, vanilla, cassis, black cherry flavours flecked with tobacco, orange peel and olive. Youthful but getting richer and adding mid-palate texture and weight. Still need another two to four years to fully mature but tracking nicely. An impressive first edition with a Right Bank Bordeaux styling.Tasted: 17 April 2014Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$38.00
750ml
winery direct
Producer: Culmina Family Estate WineryDistributors: Principle Fine Wines Blend: Cabernet Franc - Merlot - Cabernet SauvignonUPC: 827413000027