Thoroughbred, muscular, age-worthy.
Matured in partially new French oak barrels, this 100% estate grown Cabernet offers classic Bordelais character.
2015 was a hot vintage, there's no denying that plays a role in the final product and this one is a powerhouse.
Leather and tobacco, fresh cassis, black plummy notes and spice lead to a concentrated and muscular palate. Despite the hot vintage it's stylish, but also bold and inky. The tannins are firm but polished.
I decanted this wine and put it in the V-spin aerator; at 10 minutes the tannins became silkier, but it remained a boldly structured wine.
I recommend holding this wine for at least another year. Buy three, put them in the cellar and open one in a year and see save the others for the future.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 10th, 2018

Brooding, grippy, concentrated.
The small and concentrated berries resulting from the 2017 vintage are apparent in this year's Cabernet. Sage, black pepper, black currents, earth and loads of spice, dark chocolate, espresso beans and tobacco aromas lead to an intense and muscular palate. Brooding in character with an excess of grape tannins it is dark, grippy and has a sooty finish.
I recommend decanting.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 18th, 2020

Fleshy, creamy, vibrant.
Made from estate Skaha Bench Chardonnay grapes, which came from four micro-harvests over a two week period; 80% was aged 6 months in French oak, 40% new. The last harvest of 20% was aged in stainless steel. 40% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation.
It is golden in hue with notes of toast slathered in creamed sweet butter, yellow fruits, spice and lemon balm. It is fleshy, creamy and vibrant. The oak is there undoubtedly, but deftly handled and balanced. It wraps brightly and culminates in a long coriander flavoured finish.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 28th, 2019

Energizing, delightful, scented.
Made from estate Skaha Bench Chardonnay grapes, which came from four micro-harvests over a two week period; 81% was aged 6 months in French oak, 33% new.
Delightfully fruit-forward this juicy Chardonnay doles out cantaloupe and Meyer lemon, peach nectar, vanilla and fine spices. The palate is an echo of the nose boldly scented fruit woven with spice and just a whisper of oak. It has an energizing quality and long pineapple flavoured finish.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 15th, 2021

Powerful, creamy, toasted.
Made from estate Skaha Bench Chardonnay grapes, which came from three micro-harvests over a three week period. As is fairly typical with this wine, 80% was aged six months in French oak barrels (55% new) for six months, the remaining 20% in stainless steel and 60% was put through secondary malolactic fermentation.
Toasted with brown butter and golden fruits notes; it is nutty and spiced but also juicy and powerful with pronounced toastiness and savoury notes of coriander and hazelnuts. Lengthy and pristine with a long, mouthwatering finish.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 11th, 2018