Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFree Form is all about nature and minimal intervention. As you can see from its cloudy nature in the glass, it is fussed with very little at the winery in post-production. The ferment is wild, and after that, it spends nine months in a mix of amphorae and stainless steel before a final press and another two months in concrete. All of which creates a fabulous creamy texture, mixed with sweet leesy apricot, nectarine skin, and a dash of Okanagan sagebrush. A wine for geeks, the curious, and the bored.Tasted: 25 May 2021Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.90
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Haywire by Okanagan Crush PadDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: Sauvignon BlancCSPC: 867242UPC: 626990185949
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFree Form is Okanagan Crush Pad’s line of organic, natural-ish wines. From Waters & Banks Vineyard in Summerland, this sauvignon blanc spent 9 months on its skins after a wild fermentation in a combination of stainless steel and amphora, before being pressed off and getting an additional two months aging in concrete. Based on the hazy golden colour and slight sediment, one can also quickly guess this was bottled unfined and unfiltered. It's somewhat reminiscent of a dry, botrytis-affected wine with marmalade, orange, and honey alongside an earthy herbal note. And, of course, there's a weighty, phenolic texture evident from its time on skins, but without being excessively bitter. It's a fun geek wine that will certainly provoke conversation.Tasted: 30 May 2020Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.90
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Haywire by Okanagan Crush PadDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: Sauvignon BlancCSPC: 867242UPC: 626990185949
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis savvy comes from Summerland's Waters & Banks Vineyard, and its granite / limestone slopes. This was native fermented in stainless and amphora, where it aged on skins for 9 months (whole bunch). After pressing, it rested for an additional 2 months prior to bottling unfiltered. This is not your typical sauvignon blanc, and that's the exact point. The time on skins gives it a textural, grippy dimension, with apricot skin, bergamot, guava, white grapefruit peel ruling the tight, taut, herbal frame. The finish snaps with citrus and desert sage, lingering after the slender orange wine is long gone. Very well handled.Tasted: 30 May 2020Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.90
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Haywire by Okanagan Crush PadDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: Sauvignon BlancCSPC: 867242UPC: 626990185949