Benchmark 2018
An enticing ruby red colour exudes aromatics of violets, black currants and ripe blackberries. This medium bodied blend hosts chewy tannins with a long finishing note of black tea. Flavours of lilac and dark cherry give this earthy wine a character of its own. Showcasing a softer acidity with a robust finish.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Benchmark
Appellation
Okanagan Valley
Harvest Date
October 26-November 3, 2018
Sugar
0.5 g/l
Acid
6.1g/l
pH
3.75
Alcohol %
14.6
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
An enticing ruby red colour exudes aromatics of violets, black currants and ripe blackberries. This medium bodied blend hosts chewy tannins with a long finishing note of black tea. Flavours of lilac and dark cherry give this earthy wine a character of its own. Showcasing a softer acidity with a robust finish.
Vineyard Notes
The 2018 growing season was similar to 2017. Spring started off slowly and was wetter than average. 2018 found the vineyards two weeks behind our normal bud burst. Once the warmer weather arrived mid-spring, it caused the above average snow levels in the mountains to melt rapidly resulting in another year of flooding. The flooding did not wash any topsoil away and, after a challenging start, the end of spring weather conditions was perfect for an ideal fruit set. Once summer arrived, it was hot and dry which tested our vineyard crews to pay close attention to irrigation regimes and leaf-to-fruit ratios. The vineyards soaked up the summer sunshine; meticulous farming and careful yield management allowed the grapes to fully ripen on the vine. September was wet. After each rainfall, the tractors were driven down the vineyard rows to blow the water off the vines and fruit ensuring there was no opportunity for mold to develop. A beautiful autumn saw the perfect weather to allow the fruit to catch up after a wet September.
Winemaker Notes
The component grapes are from four vineyards all located on the Naramata Bench: Chapman, Davenport, Munson Mountain, and Fox vineyards. The bunches were handpicked and sorted in the vineyard. After de-stemming, the berries were hand sorted again to ensure that only perfect fruit was included in the ferment. The three grape varietals were crushed, held cold for four days and then fermented separately. 25% of the wine spent time in new French oak barriques, while the remainder was held in two year old French oak barriques. Once the wine was bottled, it was aged for an additional eighteen months in our cellar prior to release.
Other Notes
The 2018 Benchmark will develop for well over a decade. Drink
now through 2028.