It was so good to leave the COVID-19 lockdown and travel to Summerland to taste Lunessence Winery and Vineyard‘s new releases.
Since 2016 we have been fortunate to taste the new Lunessence releases and it is always interesting to see the twists and turns in their winemaking adventure.
The highlights from our discussion with Winemaker Maxime Legris and General Manager Cameron are intermingled with the tasting notes.
Here are the winemaking and tasting notes for the new releases.
White Wines
Lunessence Brut Riesling 2019 ($24.99)
12.2% Alcohol. The first-ever sparkling release from Lunessence is made from 100% Summerland estate fruit. A blend of 88% Riesling and 12% Pinot Blanc. It was produced in the Charmat method, whole-cluster pressed and aged on lees.
Floral notes of white flowers and beautiful liveliness typical of Riesling. The wine delivers a long finish with nutty and yeasty notes from the extended lees contact. 92 Points
The release of our first bubbly coincides with the debut of the Lunessence Estate series, what we are calling our White label series. This will highlight and promote the wines we are making from estate grapes. About half of the estate is Riesling and about 25% of the Lunessence production is from the estate vineyard. There are a couple of rows of Pinot Blanc used for this sparkling wine as well.
Cameron Walker
Lunessence Estate Riesling 2019 ($24.99)
10.1% Alcohol, RS 13 gm/L, TA 9 gm/L and pH 3.
The 2019 vintage is the first 100% Summerland estate Riesling. The blocks of Riesling were planted in 2003 and 2005. Hand-harvested on October 15th it was soaked on skins for 6 hours and aged on lees for 5 months before bottling.
This is an elegant off-dry Riesling with floral aromas of jasmine and apple blossom. On the palate, apricot, crisp green apple and lemon zest with a wonderfully complex mouthfeel. Only 120 cases made. 93 Points.
Gold Medal winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
We are extending our vineyard by planting an acre next door and an additional 3 acres that will come on-line in three years. We are trying to tell the story of what we have to work with here. Also, a story of wine tiering, what we have in-house and what we receive from our grower partners. Because we control our estate we feel it is the highest quality. The Estate series will grow with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay when these grapes come on-line. There will be just below 8 acres in production when these grapes mature.
The Riesling blocks have a fair amount of variability in There is shallow bedrock from Giant Head in the ground. Water pools very readily in these little dips and valleys. So these are some very vigorous seams running through the vineyard and other areas where the vines struggle for water leading to advanced and delayed maturity. So there were about seven different picks of the grapes to optimize quality.
My concept for the Estate Riesling was to take it drier. The fruit from the estate vineyard will be certified organic as of this harvest. In that spirit, the wines have been made organically. We are not seeking certification for the finished wine but the wines are being made with wild yeast and organic nutrients. This Riesling was made mostly with organic yeast, very cold fermentation temperature, and the fermentation was stopped earlier than targeted (10 RS) to maintain the aromatics.
Maxime Legris
Lunessence Marsanne Roussanne Viognier 2018 ($27.99)
12.3% Alcohol. A beautiful Rhône-style blend of 43% Marsanne, 43% Roussanne and 14% Viognier. The Marsanne and Roussane were co-fermented with wild yeast in stainless steel and then aged in French oak for 6 months (25% new oak).
A floral rose petal nose from the Viognier. It has a lush rich oily mouthfeel with flavours of red apple, stone fruit, Anjou pear, Meyer lemon and honey. 91 Points
Historically we have featured white blends like Quartet and we still have those in the mix. We would like to have a more single varietal focus.
In 2018 we had an opportunity to pick up a little Marsanne and Roussanne in Osoyoos. The grower only has a couple of acres but farms them meticulously. This is essentially a one-off for us.
This will fit into a small lots program where each year we will opportunistically source two to three tons of fruit to produce a tasting room and wine club focused wine. It is also a way for us to test vineyards, access the fruit quality and build a relationship with the grower. For example, we could have a Rhône wine in the portfolio every other year. This gives us a way to better engage with our wine club. A small lot program giving them an incentive to join.
Maxime & Cameron
Rose´
Lunessence Estate Blanc de Noirs 2019 ($23.99)
12.1% Alcohol, RS 6 gm/L. The first all estate Rosé with 184 cases made from Merlot and Syrah. The Syrah and Merlot are interplanted on the estate which makes harvesting a challenge. 40% whole cluster pressed with only 4 hours of skin contact. 13% barrel fermented with 5 months in natural French Oak.
A beautiful pale salmon colour. The fruity aroma of freshly picked strawberries. The Rosé is drier than previous years with mouthwatering flavours of watermelon and pink grapefruit, vibrant acidity, body from the lees in the barrel and freshness to clean the palate. 92 Points.
Gold Medal winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
This wine will sell out quickly again this year so buy now!
Red Wine
Lunessence Pinot Noir 2017 ($27.99)
12.1 % Alcohol. This Pinot Noir was handpicked on 22nd October 2017 from a single vineyard on the Naramata Bench. It underwent a wild ferment and full malolactic fermentation before resting in two neutral French oak barrels for 14 months. Only 66 Cases produced.
Delightful floral aromas of violets, with cherries, cedar and earthy undertones. Flavours of red cherries, blueberries and toasty oak. The wine has aged well in the bottle now with silky smooth tannins. 91 Points
We are bottling about 500 cases of the 2019 Pinot Noir this August. The fruit is from an East Kelowna vineyard. At this time we will also be bottling two estate Chardonnays with different oak profiles. The Chardonnay fruit was from Osoyoos.
Maxime
Lunessence Merlot 2018 ($24.99)
13.5% Alcohol. The grapes are from a single vineyard in Oliver. The 2018 Merlot was aged 12 months in French and Hungarian Oak (8% new). The wildfire smoke in the 2018 summer led to sun-blocking and more subtle grape ripening resulting in a lighter style Merlot.
The Merlot is a ruby red colour with aromas of dried cherry and cedar. The food-friendly wine has flavours of black fruit, ripe plum and dark chocolate. The tannin structure makes the wine perfect to pair with BBQ steaks. 90 Points
Silver Medal winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
You can expect the future Lunessence Merlots to be aged longer in the barrel.
Lunessence Crescendo 2018 ($29.99)
13.5% Alcohol. The red blend contains Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Aged for 13 months in French, Hungarian and American oak (12% new).
Defined as “a gradual increase in intensity”, the name is appropriate for this Bordeaux style blend. The main focus was to produce wine with bold ripe and deep character, ready to be enjoyed but also available for cellaring.
A delicately perfumed nose with raspberry puree and vanilla leads to flavours of red plum, black fruit, baking spices and a hint of liquorice together with soft tannins and a long finish. Decanting recommended. 92 Points
Bronze Medal winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championship.
To purchase these excellent wines, go to the Lunessence Winery & Vineyard website.
For tasting notes on earlier Lunessence releases see Lunessence New Releases – continuing the evolution, Lunessence Winery & Vineyard’s 2017 New Releases and Lunessence: Nature and Music make Fine Wine