Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Bigger is not always better

Tonight's focus is one of the "little guys", a small, family boutique winery in Summerland called Silkscarf.

We've visited them a few times. The winery isn't flashy. It's not big. It doesn't have the cachet of some of the well known Okanagan wineries. It's not a member of the VQA. They don't make a ton of varietals.

All they do is make great, award winning wines.

You can get their wines from the winery itself or online at their website (http://www.silkw.net/index.html), or you may come across them at some of the finer restaurants in Vancouver or the Okanagan (and some in other cities in Canada, as well as Tokyo!), or a handful of retail locations (a list of the restaurants and retail outlets is on the website).

You'll probably have trouble finding these specific vintages anywhere, I'm writing this from notes I made after tasting these 2 years ago (and I bought all three of these varietals). If you are lucky enough to come across them, especially the Shiraz Reserve, BUY THEM!


2010 Ensemble Blanc



A nice, crisp blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling, it features a lovely floral bouquet with notes of peach and pears on the palate. Comes at a very reasonable price point around $20.

Rating: 7/10

2010 Viognier




Smooth and silky on the palate with just the right hint of acidity. This is, no exaggeration, the only single-varietal Viognier I have ever liked enough to purchase and bring home. Also has an excellent price point of around $20.

Rating: 7.5/10

2007 Shiraz Reserve


In 2011, this won the Gold Medal at the Grand-Cru Culinary Wine Festival in Long Beach, California.

Notes of blackberries and spice, smooth as ice and ready to drink now (although a couple more years in the bottle would only enhance), if this isn't the best Shiraz I've ever tasted, it's in the top 2-3. Simply outstanding.

Rating: 9/10

Next time you are up in the Okanagan, I highly recommend searching them out and going in to taste their portfolio. I know we'll be stopping by on our next wine tour. Maybe we'll see you there!

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