Le Vieux Pin sits perched amidst the famed vineyards of the Black Sage Bench. Named for the solitary majestic old-growth pine of their Oliver estate. The winery is operated by Enotecca Wineries and Resorts, a holding company owned by entrepreneurs Sean and Saeedeh Salem. <1>
Since releasing their first vintage in 2005, Le Vieux Pin has captured the essence of traditional French winemaking, along with the bold New World character distinct to the region. Considered by the national wine industry to be a leading Syrah producer, the winery uses low input viticulture and non-interventionist winemaking to make exclusive vintages that carry with them a sense of time and place. These fine wines can be savoured nationwide and internationally, at select culinary hot spots, gastronomical institutions and fine wine merchants.
The Vineyards
Le Vieux Pin has been acquiring some of the best vineyards in the South Okanagan over the past decade. From the home block on the famed Black Sage Bench to the Feuille D’Or vineyard on the equally renowned Golden Mile each property brings unique and special character to their wines. Here is the current list of vineyards:
- Le Grand Pin (Home Block)
- Deadman Lake Vineyard
- La Feuille d’Or
- Stagg’s
- Lumeno
- U2
- Crowley (Suncrest)
- Mercier
The Winemaker
Severine Pinte came to Le Vieux Pin in 2010 with 14 harvests of international winemaking experience under her belt along with 8 years of vineyard management. Severine is a graduate of the illustrious ENSAM (Ecole National Superior Agronomic of Montpellier) where she acquired her Masters in viticulture and oenology, and her National Diploma of Oenology. After leaving ENSAM she apprenticed at the Cave de Tecou in the AOC Gaillac before coming for the first time to British Columbia to work for Domaine de Chaberton as an assistant winemaker. In 1999 she returned to France and worked a year in Bordeaux under the direction of Andre Lurton in Pessac-Leognan then returned to the Languedoc. For nine years Severine was head winemaker and viticultural council for ‘Le Vignoble des 2 terres’ in the Terrasse du Larzac terroir.
In the winter of 2003, she took leave for harvest at Frankland Estate winery in Western Australia and enjoyed learning a different take on her beloved Syrah and Viognier. Curiosity and the pursuit of new challenges brought Severine to the Okanagan and she brought with her an astute understanding of wine and terroir. Her favourite quote is from Jean Hugel: “100% of the quality of a true wine is already in the grapes, not in the cellars where you can only lose quality.”
For her, the Okanagan, with its unique terroir and cool climate, has always been intriguing. She is the perfect candidate to craft world-class Syrah and Viognier in the South Okanagan.
The Wines
It was a late March day when we visited Le Vieux Pin. The tasting room had just reopened for the season and Allison provided the background on the four wines we tasted.
Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2020
The 2020 sauvignon blanc is a blend of the three distinct styles of Sauvignon Blanc: California’s Fume Blanc, New Zealand Marlborough and Loire valley’s Pouilly Fume.
From 4 vineyards, 3 of which are on the Golden Mile, plus a block at La Stella (north facing, steep) at the Osoyoos Lake District.
Tasting the grapes in late August to decide when to pick is by far one of the most difficult decision to make every vintage!
Severine Pinte, Winemaker
5 months on lees: 76% stainless steel, 24% French oak of which 60% puncheons. No new oak. Twice weekly bâtonnage.
A complex nose of tropical fruit salad and citrus notes. Flavours of pear, apple, grapefruit, honeydew melon and Key Lime with a lovely long vibrant finish. 91 points
Suggested Pairing: Oysters on the half shell topped with lemon.
Le Vieux Pin Ava 2019
Le Vieux Pin’s Rhône blend is 51% viognier with 37% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne for 2019. 7 months in 41% French oak puncheons and barrels and the balance in stainless tanks. 35% new oak.
The nose shows delicate aromas of white blossoms, citrus, stone fruit, lemon zest and honeycomb. On the palate, apricot, ripe peach and a delicious creamy texture, medium-bodied with a hint of minerality. This is an exceptional Rhône Ranger from the Southern Okanagan.
2019 Ava is fuller and more immediately impactful than the last couple of vintages. It is packed with the very essence of white Rhône grapes. It is best with a long decant or better yet tucked away for at least a couple of years of slumber time in the cellar. Anticipate beautiful toasted cereal notes to come forward about half a dozen years post vintage. 92 Points.
Rumour has it there is a super Ava being developed. Entire ageing Is in barrel (no stainless steel or concrete portion) and a whole year longer ageing in barrel.
Paired perfectly with garlic shrimps, edible podded peas and rice.
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2019
Three different Syrahs are made: the floral, perfumed La Violette, the Classic Cuvée (which ages well), and finally the Equinoxe, which takes things up a bit in terms of concentration and structure.
The Cuvée Violette was aged 10 months in unlined concrete and oak foudre, and then 6 more months in neutral French barriques.
The wine opens to beautiful aromas of dark fruit and violets. The palate is full of raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, liquorice, a hint of white pepper and is silky smooth thanks to a gentle co-ferment with just under 1% Viognier. Suggested ageing is 5-7 years. 93 Points
Le Vieux Pin Équinoxe Syrah 2017
The 2017 Équinoxe Syrah is comprised of fruit grown in various sub-appellations in the South Okanagan Valley. A traditionally made Syrah in the sense that the sum is considered greater than the parts. The resulting effort is a very complex wine with a medium+ garnet colour that perfectly and effortlessly combines elements of both old world and new world styles.
2017 is a structured year. Harsh winter, late spring and less than ideal weather initially all played their part to lower the yields and make for an impressive vintage for Syrah.
Full-bodied and fruit-forward, a cousin of the Aussie Shiraz I love from Rockford in the Barossa Valley. Full-on aromas of floral violets, spice, black cherry and plum. Flavours of raspberries, blackberries, blueberry, black cherry, smoked meat, with black and white pepper notes. Smooth tannins and a long finish. 94 Points.
With age, you can expect those beguiling black olive and subtle animalic notes to come to the foreground.
Please visit the Le Vieux Pin Winery website to purchase these outstanding BC wines.
References
- Hands-on Banking Support Takes Winery Business to the Next Level, BCBusiness
- Le Vieux Pin, La Stella, Artakama: star wineries from Canada’s Okanagan, Wineanorak Global Wine Journal
Note: The winery and vineyard information provided by Le Vieux Pin.