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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuoustext
91POINTS
16¾/20

Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2020

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2020 Voluptuous is, in fact, all that and more. It is luxurious and what I would term the perfect Okanagan red blend at 67% merlot and 33% cabernet franc. Both are fully ripe and concentrated on winning you with gobs of sweet fruit and silky textures, even at such a young age. The 18-year-old vines are grown at Naramata's Boothe Road Vineyard over silty clay/loam soils. Like last year, an enticing, savoury jacket is wrapped around ripe, juicy blueberry, blackberry, black olive, and cedar dusted in baking spice and sagebrush. The tannins are much better managed this year, and I suspect came in fully physiologically ripe. You can drink this now, but I think it's a case of this wine being so well balanced. I would wait at least three years, but it is delicious right now. A T-bone steak or a favourite winter vegetable casserole would be fine matches. Good value.Tasted: 07 November 2023Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$40.00750mlwinery online/direct, select private retailers
Producer: Van Westen VineyardsDistributors: Winery Direct
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 485425UPC: 626990066309