Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a statement wine from Poplar Grove, and it's easy to taste why they're so bullish about Okanagan cabernet franc. It's beautifully expressive and complex, ranging from raspberry and blackberry to dried sage and tea leaf to alluring florals. Medium-bodied, this stands out for its elegance and impressive concentration, no doubt thanks in part to the low yields (2 tonnes per acre) at their Osoyoos Vineyard. In a vintage with the potential to produce monstrously tannic wines, winemaker Stefan Arnason has done an impressive job ensuring everything is seamless and in balance. Recommended.Tasted: 22 March 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPoplar Grove is beginning to hit its stride with this cabernet franc. It’s been the little tweaks but important ones along the way as it goes from a soupy savoury midpalate to a more structured wine with dense sweet tannins toning down some of its hedonistic flare. The result is just enough structure to allow multiple layers of flavours featuring black plums and cold tea with a mocha wisp upping its complexity quotient. It spends 21 months in about one-third new French oak and gets another full year in bottle to rest at the winery. You can drink this now, but more time will only benefit its final picture.Tasted: 06 December 2020Tasted by: Prices: