PENTAGE WINERY - GEWURZTRAMINER 2008 and CABERNET FRANC 2006

Paul Gardner and Julie Rennie’s boutique Pentâge Winery rests on 35 acres along Penticton’s Skaha Lake.  Production is limited to only 5000 cases a year, and their small-lot releases sell out quickly.  Their newest vineyard, monikered ‘The Dirty Dozen’ was planted three years ago – and wine watchers (me!) are eagerly awaiting the first wines from the Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Mourvedre, Grenache and Tempranillo planted there.

Their current releases (9 whites and 7 reds annually) are from their first vineyard, planted in 1997.  And what lovely wines are being handcrafted from these 10 year old vines.  The perfumed aromas of the 2008 Gewurztraminer ($18) skyrocket out of the glass – lush lychee and grapefruit notes lead to a palate of ripe sweet apricot, citrus and mineral, a full, rounded mouthfeel and a lengthy finish.  Though there is a lot of fruit sweetness here, the wine finishes dry and crisp – delish.  

Their current Cabernet Franc is from 2006 ($28). This is one of my favourite Okanagan varietals when treated correctly – and this one certainly qualifies.  Notes of wild cherries, ripe plum and spice are echoed on the palate, along with blackberry, cedar and vanillan notes.  A full palate and long finish made this wine very enjoyable now, though I’d like to keep a bottle or two around to taste in a few years – there is enough textured structure here to keep evolving

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