Pristine, tangy, vibrant.
Fruit forward like a fruit-cup of peaches, pears and yellow apples, with vanilla and honeysuckle notes. It is tangy and has a kiss of sweetness; quaffable, pristine and all around pretty wine.
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 27th, 2017

Mouthwatering, pristine,precise. The Benchmark Series was developed as a new, "standard for elevated quality through meticulous winemaking, sustainable viticulture practices and deliberate vineyard site selection."
This Gris was neutral barrel fermented and made from estate grapes. The nose suggests creamy Bosc pears and honey, orange blossoms and nectarine and peach. The palate is as pretty and pristine as the nose; a kiss of sweetness is underscored by bright orchard fruits, honey and pink grapefruit. The finish is mouthwatering.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 28th, 2022

Racy, textural, precision. The Benchmark Series was developed as a new, "standard for elevated quality through meticulous winemaking, sustainable viticulture practices and deliberate vineyard site selection."
This single-vineyard Riesling is harvested from the Fool's Gold Estate in North Oliver--a property planted over two decades ago by Richard Cleave, the Okanagan's most renowned viticulturist. The western sloping site benefits from the afternoon sun with the sandy clay loam soil containing a lot of rocks and gravel, providing excellent drainage.
It's a classic OW-style Riesling suggesting petrol and green apples, lime and crunchy apricot, wet stone and honey aromas. Like previous renditions, this wine has texture and precision. It's a focused dry white, slick and racy with a persistent finish.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2023

Racy, concentrated, dry. The Benchmark Series was developed as a new, "standard for elevated quality through meticulous winemaking, sustainable viticulture practices and deliberate vineyard site selection."
This single-vineyard Riesling is harvested from the Fool's Gold Estate in North Oliver--a property planted over two decades ago by Richard Cleave, the Okanagan's most renowned viticulturist. The western sloping site benefits from the afternoon sun with the sandy clay loam soil containing a lot of rocks and gravel, providing excellent drainage.
There's a concentration and richness to this Riesling that is uncharacteristic of the Okanagan. It's a bright yellow-gold colour and suggests Jonagold apples and pie crust, wildflower honey, straw and pomelo aromas. The palate has notable intensity with bread dough, bracing citrus (think unsweetened marmalade) and mineral flavours. The finish is long, dry and racy.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2023

Textural, juicy, power. The Benchmark Series was developed as a new, "standard for elevated quality through meticulous winemaking, sustainable viticulture practices and deliberate vineyard site selection."
The reserve Sauvignon Blanc hails from Township 7's estate Blue Terrace Vineyard on the northern end of the Black Sage Bench in Oliver--the last vintage I tasted of this wine, 2019 had just under 15% Semillon added--but this 2021 is 100% Sauvignon.
The wine is 100% barrel fermented and aged (7 months), with the fermentation seeing 15% new and 85% neutral French oak barrels to round out the mouthfeel.
Expect notes of honey and peach, gooseberry, oyster shell, elderflowers and key limes. It has weight, power and good precision along with a textural element. Flavours of crunchy green apples, beeswax, peach stone and juicy lime dominate the palate.
Pair: Asparagus fritters, herb quiche, coconut curries, seafood salads and most appetizers.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 27th, 2023