Vintage 2016
Michal commented, “the 2016 vintage will be even better than 2015. The season started early but slowed down in the summer and that allowed for an ideal ripening of all compounds in the berries. The cooler end of August and September developed and protected very important aromatics in the berries. We could pick all grapes at cooler temperatures with no rush as was the case in 2015. Also, we could pick all varieties after a full moon, when the vineyard has a lot of energy presented in the grapes.
Very interesting thing I have noticed is Petit Verdot from the Oliver Vineyard – totally ripen, which is very unusual. We use it only for blending, but this year we will have one barrel as a single varietal.This year we started double sorting of all grapes – clusters before destemming and berries after destemming and before crushing. The fermenting wine already shows incredible purity and very high and clean aromatics.”
New Releases
Lunessence Pinot Blanc Oraniensteiner – 270 cases produced. Grapes were grown at Family Zeller’s Vineyard on Naramata Bench, handpicked 25.10.2016 at 24.5 Brix. Oraniensteiner is a unique German varietal that was developed to produce sparkling wines. A higher acidity grape blended with Pinot Blanc results in a harmonious wine full of big flavours. Fermentation took place and stainless steel tanks and was partly natural. This wine is fruity with a soft citrus bouquet, big texture and balanced sweetness of a 14 g/L residual sugar.
Lunessence Merlot 2015 – 15% Alcohol, 330 cases produced. After full malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for 6 months in Hungarian and French oak then 6 months in steel tanks and 3 months in the bottle. 2015 was a great Okanagan vintage, for reds, due to the hot summer. This resulted in a big, bold Merlot, almost jammy wine with ripe blackberry aroma and on the palate black plum, black cherries, savoury dried herbs and a hint of mint highlighted by soft tannins. Decanting recommended. Unfined and unfiltered.
Lunessence Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – 250 cases produced. Grapes for this wine were handpicked on 10.10.2016 at 26.9 Brix. The wine was aged for 6 months in a variety of Slovakian, French and neutral oak, then stainless steel for 6 months and finally three months in bottles. The wine was made to achieve terroir flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon, full of forest fruit, vanilla, bacon and black leather underlined with subtle creamy oak. Decanting recommended.
Lunessence Crescendo MMXV 2015, 13.5% Alcohol, 550 cases produced. Grapes for this wine were hand-picked between October 02 and 07, 2015 at an average Brix of 25.7. The wine went through full malolactic fermentation, ageing took 6 months in a variety of Slovakian and French Oak then stainless steel for 6 months. This is the first vintage of Luminescence signature blend that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot. The main focus was to produce wine with bold ripe and deep character, ready to be enjoyed but also available for cellaring. Black fruit, baking spices and a hint of liquorice together with soft tannins. Decanting recommended.
Lunessence Essence Late Harvest 2015 -170 cases produced. The grapes were picked on 23.11.2015 at 27 Brix. All grapes are Estate grown using sustainable viticulture and integrated practices for Vineyard management. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks for 30 days. The final blend consisting of Pinot Blanc, Oraniensteiner and Gewürztraminer. The blend is a pure expression of the vineyard. The wine has the unique characteristic of grapes partially affected with Noble Rot.
Winemaker’s Cut Syrah 2015 – 150 cases produced. The grapes were hand-picked at Steven’s Vineyard in Osoyoos 12.10.2015 at 26 Brix. Fermented in stainless steel the wine was aged in a variety of Slovakian, French and American barrels for 14 months. This complex Syrah delivers ripe and strong characters of Okanagan. Red plum, black and white pepper, olives and smoky bacon with spicy flavours, silky tannins and a long finish.
Winemaker’s Cut Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – 270 cases produced. The grapes were hand-picked at Collin and Mike Stevens’ Vineyard in Osoyoos on 15.09. 2016 at 22.5 Brix. After destemming and crushing the juice was kept with skin contact for 24 hours to achieve deep extraction of all unique flavours grown in the vineyard in the Osoyoos. The fermentation was partly wild and took place and stainless steel tanks. 20% was aged in Slovakian barrels for 5 months. The wine is dry, the vine growing and winemaking is focused on highlighting the full body and potential of this unique wine. A soft bouquet of stone fruit, lemongrass and mint with mineral characteristics from the soil where grapes were grown that give the wine clean, fresh flavours and a long finish.
If you would like to buy any of these wines the link to the winery site is here.
Make sure you visit Lunessence the next time you are on Bottleneck Drive in Summerland.