Every spring we drive to Summerland to enjoy the Dirty Laundry Vineyard wines and patio, but not this year! So we were really excited when a pack of the DVL new releases arrived this month.
British Columbia wineries are going to be turning in plans and protocols for the government to review in the next few weeks to allow for tasting room re-opening. Hopefully, we will be able to revisit that wonderful patio soon!
Although the tasting room isn’t re-open yet, Dirty Laundry Vineyard is offering takeaway pizza and wine Wednesday-Sunday 12 to 7 PM. They are also open for socially distanced shopping those same hours (Maximum 4 persons in the wine shop). They will also deliver to you in Summerland!
In the meantime, here are the tasting notes for six new exciting DVL wines.
The Wines
Dirty Laundry Riesling 2019
Alcohol % 12.5 | pH 3.31 | TA 8.4 |RS 8
Winemaking – 100% Riesling from Summerland Vineyard. 14 days cool ferment at 12 C to retain fresh aromatic aromas
Aromas of pear, crisp apple and lemon jest. on the palate, Mandarin orange and pineapple with a hint of grapefruit. Balanced sweetness with a beautiful dry finish. 90 Points
Pairs well with ahi tuna tacos, steamed mussels or halibut with mango salsa.
Dirty Laundry Hush White 2019 ($18.99)
Alcohol 12.5 %| pH 3.25 | TA 6.5 |RS 10
The white is a balanced blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. All portions are fermented separately and the final blend is carefully chosen. All grapes are sourced from Dirty Laundry’s Summerland vineyards.
The light and fruity summer sipper has a lovely aroma of apricot, Meyer lemon, honeycomb and floral notes from the Gew.
What first greets your tongue is an exciting effervescence followed by flavours of Key lime, Anjou pear, Meyer lemon, honey and orchard fruit. The acid and sugar levels are perfectly balanced. 89 Points.
The suggest food pairing is soft creamy cheese, oysters or a cream-based pasta with fresh seafood.
Dirty Laundry Hush Rose´2019 ($19.99)
Alcohol 13 % | pH 3.49 | TA 6.3 |RS 7
Small batch whole cluster press of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet, combined with a cold soak of Pinot Gris on skins for 12 – 24 hours to maximize colour extraction and aromatics.
Aromas of red delicious apple, lemon, lime and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, watermelon, strawberry, red grapefruit flavours and a hint of Rhubarb bitterness. On sale at $18 a great value summer sipper! 91 Points.
Gold Medal Winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
Dirty Laundry Pinot Noir 2018 ($25.19)
13.5% Alcohol | pH 3.79 | TA 6.1 |RS 0
The grapes are from the Summerland Vineyard where the relatively cooler climate allows the Pinot to thrive. Barrel-aged in French Oak for 18 months (30% new barrels).
An easy drinking and fruit-forward pinot noir. Medium garnet in colour. Aromas of red cherries, raspberries and a whiff of chocolate.
On the palate, black cherries, ripe raspberries, dried fig, earthy undertones with a hint of herbs and firm tannins, all leading up to a mouthwatering finish.
The wine paired perfectly roasted pork tenderloin, potatoes and asparagus. The red cherry and raspberry wine flavours played perfectly off the peanut, apricot and orange in the marinade. 90 Points.
Dirty Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($24.49)
Alcohol 14 % | pH 3.85 | TA 5.9 |RS 0
90% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Similkameen and Okanagan Valley, 10% Merlot from the South Okanagan. Grapes are picked at optimum ripeness levels & fermented separately to feature the unique attributes of each grape. The wine was aged 18 months in French oak.
A beautiful deep ruby red colour. Aromas of raspberry, blueberry and chocolate. On the palate black plum, blackberries, cherries and leather and a whiff of dark chocolate with smooth tannins giving way to a luscious finish. 91 Points
Pairs well with BBQ NY strip steak and game meat, think bison tenderloin or venison with blackberry sauce.
Silver Medal Winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
Dirty Laundry Bordello 2017 ($42.99)
Alcohol 14 % | pH 3.9 | TA 5.4 |RS 0
2 years in French & American (30% new) barrels. A premium blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards in Osoyoos and the Similkameen Valley where the hotter climate brings forth the ripest expression of the varietal. After extensive tasting trials, the very best barrels were selected for this premium red blend.
This is a bold full-bodied wine, so I would recommend decanting. On the nose, black fruit, leather and cedar.
Flavours of blackberry, sour cherry, blueberry, sage, tobacco and dark chocolate with ripe firm tannins and a rich mouthfeel. Drink now but definitely worth cellaring if you have the time. 92 Points.
Gold Medal Winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
To order these outstanding BC wines go to the Dirty Laundry Vineyard site.