Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Laughing Stock Amphora release is syrah grown at Perfect Hedge Vineyard on the East Osoyoos Bench, tickled early by the rising sun. It has 9 percent viognier in the mix, fanning the aromatics and softening the palate. The syrah grapes go into two 500L terracotta containers as whole berries and are left to ferment undisturbed for eight months. The native ferment lasted over five weeks producing an extraordinarily supple palate, giving this giant mouth-filling red a chance to win you over. Post amphorae the contents are basket pressed and the final juice is run into bottle. There are no additives save for a small amount of sulphur before it's bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is a knockout on the palate with a strong blueberry undercurrent reminiscent of great Down Under shiraz, with a dusting of brown spicing and violets. Impressive to say the least, it will be interesting to see how it ages. You can drink it now though no problem. Roast duck comes to mind.Tasted: 21 December 2018Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$49.99
750ml
wine club only
Producer: Laughing Stock VineyardsDistributors: The Wine Syndicate Arterra Wines Canada Principle Fine Wines Blend: Shiraz - ViognierUPC: 850451002050
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest in the Amphora release continues on the success of last year, with syrah from East Osoyoos Bench's Perfect Hedge Vineyard tipped with 9 percent viognier. The syrah was placed whole berry into two 500L terracotta amphorae and left to ferment and rest untouched for eight months. The native ferment took a long, cool, slow five weeks, which may explain the long and seamlessly knit tannins framing this bigger red. After its time in clay, the wine was pressed off with a basket press, bottled and wax dipped. True to its 'natural wine' claim, this has no additives other than a tiny amount of sulphur, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Textural plums, wild blueberries, wild blackberries are stretched along the palate, lightly dusted with dark cocoa and smoked nutmeg. There's a light, faint lift of violets floating on top, which may come from the viognier. A welcome naked view of a grape that is so oft overdressed.Tasted: 29 October 2018Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$49.99
750ml
wine club only
Producer: Laughing Stock VineyardsDistributors: The Wine Syndicate Arterra Wines Canada Principle Fine Wines Blend: Shiraz - ViognierUPC: 850451002050
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