This is the second year we have tasted Four Shadows Vineyard and Winery’s new releases. This year Wilbert and Joka have extended their BC wine portfolio with a dry Riesling.
Tasting Room Re-Opening
Now that BC regulations allow us to open our tasting room for tastings and sales, we will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 till 17.00 hours the rest of May.
As of June 1st, we will be open 7 days a week from 11.00 till 18.00.
We also continue free shipping on online orders of 6 + bottles nationwide.
Wilbert Borren|Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery
Before we go to the tasting notes here are the highlights of the 2019 harvest.
Harvest 2019
2019, our 8th growing seasons since we bought the existing vineyard in Penticton. Like many growers will say, no year is the same and that certainly could be said for 2019. The warm weather in January set us up with a vulnerable vineyard in February when the record low temperatures hit the BC interior. Many vines suffered bud damage. Our Merlot and Chardonnay were hit hardest. However, the canopy did fill in nicely with a reduced crop load though.
As the season developed into a mild summer with no extreme high temperatures we believe at Four Shadows that the plants continued to grow and develop at a normal pace and maybe development was ahead of last year as we did not have any overcast from smoke this year.
September proved again that farming all depends on the weather and looking up to the skies “how much rain is today gonna bring”. With all the moisture in the air disease pressure (like mildew and Borthrithis) was high.
Yet we feel fortunate at Four Shadows, as our fruit stayed clean and ripened early due to lighter crop load this year.
Our Chardonnay was harvested September 20 two weeks ahead of last year followed by the Riesling and Pinot Blanc. The lighter crop was our saving grace this year. The early frost in October put an abrupt stop to the growing/ ripening season. Once again the lighter crop also for our reds allowed them to have enough Brix. Just the Merlot we let hang for another week after the frost.
With this year’s crop already put to rest in the barrels, we anticipate above average quality with intense colour and flavour.
Wilbert Borren|Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery
The Four Shadows Wines
Four Shadows Riesling Dry 2019 ($23)
A lovely pale straw colour Riesling.
On the nose, there are aromas of tropical fruit and green apple.
The palate has flavours of lemon zest, green apple, honeydew melon and grapefruit with a touch of minerality leading to a crisp, lingering finish. 89 Points
Four Shadows Riesling 2019 ($23)
A lovely pale straw colour. Aromas of rose petals and jasmine. Ripe apricots jump from the glass along with red peach, green apple, pear and honeycomb.
The wine has a vibrant crisp mouthfeel with a stony backbone. The perfect off-dry style Riesling at 10.9% alcohol.
This is becoming the flagship wine at Four Shadows. 92 Points.
The wine paired perfectly with pan-fried steelhead trout.
Four Shadows Rosé 2018 ($21)
The Rosé is a Pinot Noir/Merlot blend which produces a vibrant sockeye salmon hue. Pink grapefruit, watermelon, pear and citrus. Sparkling acidity balances the touch of sweetness with a smooth lingering finish. 90 Points.
For tasting notes on previous vintages and background information on the winery please see – Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery opens Tasting Room
To order these excellent BC wines please visit the Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery Website.