Last week I had the opportunity to chat with Daniel Bonterin about Bottega Wine Studio and its brands, Bottega wine and Seven Directions wine new releases for the spring of 2019.
The exciting news was that Daniel has just started to plant his new vineyard in Cawston in the south Similkameen Valley with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Grenache.
Looking forward to how the Grenache shapes up as it is one of my favourite Spanish varieties, but the grape doesn’t see much love in BC Wine Country.
Daniel is growing his Bottega Wine Studio brand while still continuing as the consulting winemaker for Volcanic Hills and Bordertown.
Enough of a lead in, let’s get to the new release wine reviews.
The Wines
Seven Directions Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc Rosé 2018 ($17.99)
Viticulture and Winemaking
Sourced from a single vineyard, the grapes for this Cabernet Franc Rosé were sustainably farmed on the sun-drenched Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard, in Osoyoos. The soil for these 10 -year-old vines has a main layer of larger rock and shale, followed by gravel, loom and some clay. The Cabernet Franc vines are well rooted in 3309C stock and grafted with clone 331.
This season saw an earlier than normal start which resulted in healthy yields that were controlled in order to maintain a proper balance between sugar and natural acidity. Using minimalist low intervention winemaking, these grapes were hand harvested on October 19th, 2018 at 23.06 Brix. This was almost 2 weeks later than the previous year due to smoke cover that minimized sun exposure. The grapes were crushed and pressed with no maceration besides the pressing cycle and fermented at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aroma. Bâtonnage in the tank for added texture and mouthfeel.
Technical Information
Alcohol 13.8%, pH 3.32, TA 6.33g/L, RS 1.3 g/L 444 cases.
Tasting Notes
This dry Rosé displays a clear salmon pink hue with aromatic aromas of apricots, wild strawberries and white peach followed by earthy notes. The elegant, soft, round palate compliments the wonderful nose while supported by the wines natural tannin and acidity finishing dry with a mild spice.
Just inhale and the wine transports you to a spring meadow in Provence. This wine truly reflects the terroir of the Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard. 91 Points and a great value at only $17.99.
Seven Directions™ Tractor and Vines Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 ($20.99)
Viticulture and Winemaking
Sourced from a single vineyard, the grapes for this Pinot Noir rosé were sustainably farmed on the Tractor & Vines Vineyard located in Summerland. This tiny 1.1-acre parcel sits at lake level and faces perfectly East-West. The soil for these 11-year-old vines consists of rich organic matter, silty clay loam and Fluvioglacial deposits. Rooted on Riparia Gloire and grafted with clone 667.
A small crop of 3.2 tons was needed to achieve the “this is tractor” factor, with a focused balance between sugar and natural acidity. Using minimalist intervention winemaking, these grapes were hand harvested on October 11, 2017, at 23.24 Brix. The grapes were crushed, cold soaked on the skins for 2 hours, gently pressed. Fermentation took place in 75% stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aroma. 25% of the grapes were fermented in neutral French oak barrels for added creaminess and texture.
Technical Information
Alcohol 14.0%, pH 3.38, TA 8.32g/L, RS 3.8 g/L. only 195 Cases
Tasting Notes
A gorgeous grapefruit and melon hue. Aromas of strawberries and rose petals. Flavours of strawberry, melon and a hint of citrus. A complex, slightly off-dry juicy and creamy mouthfeel that begs for BC summer heat for true enjoyment. Daniel has crafted another winning Rosé. 92 points
To order these excellent BC Rosés or to find the restaurants that stock these wines, please visit the Seven Directions Wine website.
Bottega Merlot 2014
Viticulture and Winemaking
The Merlot grapes are certified organically and grown by the outstanding Kozier Organic Vineyard on the Naramata Bench with its ideal clay formations. Cane pruned and single cluster cropped to 2.0 tons/acre in this cooler vintage.
Harvested on October 10, 2016, at 25.62 Brix in small 30-pound picking lugs to minimize premature crushing. Destemming achieved a 50% whole berry structure. Then hand dumped into one stainless steel tank and one macro bin. Inoculated with cultured yeast after a 5-day cold soak. Gradually the temperature was increased to 28.5 °C with plunging the cap 3 times daily. The total length of the maceration was 45 days. Basket pressed and transferred to 100% new tight grain burgundy barrels for 24 months to allow full Malolactic conversion.
Technical Information
Alcohol 14.0%, pH 3.51, TA 7.2g/L, RS 2.9 g/L. only 60 Cases.
Tasting Notes
A dark red, almost black in colour Merlot. Blackberries, plum, leather, chocolate with a hint of black pepper and sage. Silky smooth mouthfeel but enough tannin to balance the soft fruit flavours and a football field long finish. One killer Merlot! Decanting is recommended and the wine can be cellared up to 2024. 93 Points.
Food Pairing
The Merlot pairs beautifully with roast sirloin tip roast.
Bottega Viognier 2017
Viticulture and Winemaking
40% of the Viognier grapes grew on a hot gravel bed in Osoyoos. 60% were organically grown on fertile clay soil in Naramata. The vines were spur pruned and cropped to yield only 3.2 tons per acre. The grapes were hand harvested on September 20, 2017, and October 5, 2017, at 21.8 and 23.2 Brix when Daniel tasted the first flavour burst in the berries.
The Osoyoos grapes were crushed and left on the skins overnight prior to pressing for added tannins. The Naramata grapes were whole cluster pressed to preserve the acidity and retain mouthfeel. Inoculated separately with cultured yeast and cool fermented in stainless steel tanks. Gradual temperature increases to 18 C and extensive aeration of the juice to promote the formation of aromatics. The wine finished with sur-lee ageing and weekly Bâtonnage for five months. Production is 270 cases.
Technical Specification
pH 3.36, TA 6.2 g/l, RS 4.0 g/l, Alcohol 13.5 %
Tasting Notes
Lovely floral aromas. On the palate white peach, stone fruit, hazelnut, kiwi with a lingering long creamy finish. Has Daniel’s refreshingly light touch of bitterness again. Can’t get enough of this new release, great value at $20.99. 91 Points.
Food Pairing
The Viognier paired really well with pan-fried shrimps, rice and edible podded peas. Enjoy!
To order these premium BC Wines or to find the restaurants that stock these wines, please visit the Bottega Wine Studio website.