Chic, stylish, fragrant. Painted Rock continues to win accolades with their estate grown wines from their glorious vantage point above Skaha Lake, near Penticton. Now the estate boasts a stunning new tasting room, wedding and event center with possibly the best view in the Okanagan Valley. Additionally, Painted Rock was the winner of InterVin's 2014/2015 Winery of the Year award.
While I was undoubtedly a fan of the cooler and elegant 2011vintage, the 2012 Painted Rock Syrah is equally impressive. It was aged 18 months in oak barrels (50% new with 80% being French and 20% being American oak).
Expect a wonderfully fragrant stylish Syrah with notes of wild sweet summer berries, violets and roses, licorice and cocoa with undertones of fine white pepper and smoked meat. The palate is silky and chc with lovely finesse and bright acidity. A feminine character purple fruits and flowers, peppery spices and a juicy pink grapefruit layer that makes the palate pop.
Fantastic.
Pair: spicy chorizo pizza, smoked gouda and caramelized onion grilled cheese, cheese fondue or game.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 1st, 2014

Chic, stylish, complex. Painted Rock continues to win accolades with their estate grown wines from their glorious vantage point above Skaha Lake, near Penticton. Now the estate boasts a stunning new tasting room, wedding and event center with possibly the best view in the Okanagan Valley. Additionally, Painted Rock was the winner of InterVin's 2014/2015 Winery of the Year award.
Undoubtedly I have a soft spot for the Painted Rock Syrah it continues to impress with its freshness, complexity and chic style.
It's feminine and stylish with aromas of black raspberry, violets, cola spices, vanilla and finely ground black pepper. The palate follows suit; sweet and ripe berry flavours lead the palate followed with coco and spice. Exceptional complexity and posture with a long fresh finish.
Pair: spicy chorizo pizza, smoked gouda and caramelized onion grilled cheese, cheese fondue or game.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 9th, 2015

Harmonious, elegant, supple. A standout in Painted Rock's portfolio, the Syrah never fails to please me. Again this vintage it's a symphony of black raspberry and plums, espresso licorice, violets, baking spices, vanilla and white pepper. Sweet generous fruit dominates the palate and is supported by dark chocolate and cola spices. Supple and potent, it is also elegant and persistent.
Pair: spicy chorizo pizza, smoked gouda and caramelized onion grilled cheese, cheese fondue or game.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 19th, 2020

Harmonious, stylish, generous. I have a soft spot for Okanagan Syrah, a variety, which continues to impress in both cooler and warmer parts of the valley. Even in the hot 2015 vintage, this wine is stylish. Plump purple fruits are edged with botanicals, mocha and star anise with a mineral seam. It is supple and generous with loads of plush fruit, mocha and spice. It reminds me of one of my favourite northern Rhone appellations, Cornas. It is both inviting and concentrated but mostly, it is harmonious.
Pair: spicy chorizo pizza, smoked gouda and caramelized onion grilled cheese, cheese fondue or game.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 11th, 2018

Woven, elegant, supple. A standout in Painted Rock's portfolio, their complex Syrah never fails to impress.
The Syrah grapes come from two west-facing sloped vineyard blocks (clones 99 & 100) and it was aged 18 months in 30% new oak; of the new oak 80% was French and 20% American. The remaining 70% was aged in second fill French.
Superbly scented. Sweet black raspberry aromas are woven with white pepper, candied violets, cedar, licorice, chocolate, pipe tobacco and baking spice. It has a supple entry and generous fruit alongside white pepper, vanilla, cola spice and espresso flavours. It's an elegant and statuesque Syrah with lovely freshness and notable persistence.
Pair: spicy chorizo pizza, smoked gouda and caramelized onion grilled cheese, cheese fondue or game.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 30th, 2022