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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Spearhead Clone 828 Pinot Noirtext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Spearhead Clone 828 Pinot Noir 2021

East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClone 828 ripened perfectly in 2021, leaving winemaker Grant Stanley no choice but to make a single bottling of this rare-ish clone, and it was a good decision. The fruit is all estate, coming off the home Southeast Kelowna vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed, and cold soaked for six days before a spontaneous fermentation. After 18 days on the skins, the gently pressed juice was run into 25 percent new French oak barrels and aged for 13 months. The first thing you notice is the aromatic spicy, black fruit nose. The attack is silky smooth, with rich dark fruit that broach the threshold of pinot noir but run on endlessly. Black cherries, dried spices, and intensity suggest this 13.5 percent pinot is well equipped to age through 2028. Serve with richer dishes like duck confit or roasted pork belly. You better hurry if you want this wine, as it won’t last long.Tasted: 20 October 2023Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$45.00750mlwinery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Producer: Spearhead WineryDistributors: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.
Grape: Pinot NoirCSPC: 023570UPC: 69685206284