Stylish, classic, consistent
Spearhead, located in east Kelowna, makes this single vineyard Pinot from the estate Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, which contains three Dijon clones (115, 777, 828, 667 ); it was then aged 13 months in 100% French oak.
This one is a consistently solid wine, and this vintage stays the course. Classic cherries, vanilla, tealeaf, smoked spices, leather and rainforest floor aromas roll into a fresh and silky, succulent palate with expressive fruit and a long rustic finish.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 3rd, 2019

Stylish, finesse, pretty.
The Pinot comes from the estate Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, which contains three Dijon clones (115, 777, 828) and it was aged in French oak.
It's a consistently delightful wine, this warm vintage shows a pretty melange of potpourri of cedar chips and dried roses, raspberries and red cherry, vanilla, star anise and rainforest floor with a whiff of prune. It is silky, stylish and fresh with a juicy finish trailing flavours of cedar, tealeaf and fine spices.
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 1st, 2017

Stylish, classic, consistent
Spearhead, (formerly Spierhead) in east Kelowna makes this single vineyard Pinot from the estate Gentleman Farmer Vineyard, which contains three Dijon clones (115, 777, 828); it was then aged in French oak.
It's a consistently delightful wine, and even in a warm 2016 vintage, the site provides balance. Red current and rhubarb aromas are layered with botanical, forest floor, beet greens and fine spice. It is silky and fresh upon entry; it has good bones but was still wound tightly when tasted. Give it some more time to relax and appreciate the tealeaf, red berry and leather finish.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 16th, 2018

Complex, savoury, silky.
Pinot Noir maestro, Grant Stanley heads up the winemaking at Spearhead these days, so the Pinots are in good hands.
For the 2019 vintage Stanley has released three separate (albeit not new) site-specific Pinots together. Each saw extended maceration, spontaneous fermentation, delayed spring malolactic fermentation and 13 months in French oak, 25% of which are new.

The Golden Retreat Vineyard is a western aspect site near Summerland with a south facing exposure set at 1490 ft ASL. The vines (Dijon and Pommard clones) were planted in sandy loam and gravel soils in 2008.
Of the three, this one has a firmer structure; notes of muddled plums and forest berries with plenty of purple flowers woven with beet greens and a dollop of honey and apricot. Like the Saddleblock, it has a silky palate, but more power, with earthy, savoury flavours and chalky tannins.
Like all three, decanting will bring the most out in the wine.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 17th, 2021

Juicy, fragrant, silky.
Pinot Noir maestro, Grant Stanley heads up the winemaking at Spearhead these days, so the Pinots are in good hands.
Starting with the 2019 vintage he began releasing three site specific and unfiltered Pinots (includes Saddle Block and Coyote), which were fermented for 13 months in French oak (25% new).

The Golden Retreat Vineyard is a western aspect site near Summerland with a south facing exposure set at 1490 ft ASL. The vines (Dijon and Pommard clones) were planted in sandy loam and gravel soils in 2008.
To me it's the highlight of the Pinot program this vintage. Heavenly aromas of raspberry and cherry, candied rose petals and star anise and undertones of leather, cedar and pipe tobacco. It has a sweet and supple entry, it's juicy and elegant, expressive and ever so classic. Silky and persistent--a lovely wine.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 28th, 2022