Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCarmenere is popping up more and more in the Okanagan with labels at Moon Curser, Black Hills, Time Family of Wines, Phantom Creek, and this Crusader from Mt. Boucherie. The fruit is off the Black Sage Bench and seamlessly matched with French oak for 12 months. More red than black, it is a refreshing version of the grape that embraces the Southern Okanagan with its scrubby, sagebrush spicy notes that permeate the wine. Dense yet balanced and led by black cherry, green pepper, and cedar notes, it transports me to Chile. Inspired styling and a wine that you can drink year round.Tasted: 08 March 2022Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.99
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Mt. Boucherie Estate WineryDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: CarménèreUPC: 812289745981
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a new arrival to the portfolio, with fruit coming off the Black Sage Bench. The year in French wood is felt through the spiced, cedar-hewn frame of this fuller Southern Okanagan red, deeply redolent with black cherry, cassis jam, on a dense palate, seasoned with wild mint and scrubby desert notes. There's a welcome salinity to keep the palate fresh through the green peppered finish. Quite smart rendition of carmenere, and certainly lamb-worthy.Tasted: 21 March 2022Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.99
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Mt. Boucherie Estate WineryDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: CarménèreUPC: 812289745981
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCarmenere is no longer just a curiosity in the Okanagan. Plantings remain few and far between at just 14 acres (as of 2019), but the wines increasingly are uniquely expressive of both variety and place. That's certainly the case with this release from Modest Wines, a newish label from the talented team at Mt. Boucherie. There's no hiding the ripeness of the Black Sage Bench, but what stands out is the juiciness of the fruit, which is layered with fresh herbs, peppercorn, and mocha. Winemaker Jeff Hundertmark shows a deft hand here, with thoughtful winemaking that results in something far from modest. Complex, fine, and supple, this is real Okanagan carmenere. Recommended.Tasted: 21 March 2022Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$29.99
750ml
winery online/direct
Producer: Mt. Boucherie Estate WineryDistributors: Winery Direct Grape: CarménèreUPC: 812289745981