Mayhem Wines in Okanagan Falls has delivered some exciting 2020 Vintage wines. Please see my earlier post – Mayhem Wines – Aromatic whites and Smooth reds for background on the winery. Here is a quick update on the winery’s summer tasting plans before we go to the tasting notes.
Mayhem Tastings
Mayhem is offering outdoor, sit-down curated tastings for up to 4 people, that includes a food pairing for a non-refundable $10 located at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls this summer.
If customers would like to kick it up a notch, there will be an elevated food pairing option as well for $35. Reservations are required for both styles of tastings. The Food and Wine Experiences runs Fri, Sat, and Sunday at 2 PM starting May 21 through the summer.
The New Releases
Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ($20)
This wine was hand-harvested from a single vineyard in Naramata on October 19th. It was completely crushed and destemmed and loaded straight into the press. Making up the final blend is 10% new 225L barriques, 14% neutral puncheons and 76% stainless steel. All elements resting on lees for 6 months.
Alcohol 12.5% | pH 3.04| TA 7.68| RS 1.07
This is a bone-dry New Zealand style “tropical” Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for pairing with seafood. The wine opens with intense aromas of tropical fruit. You jump into a sea of creamy passionfruit, followed by lemongrass, kiwifruit, and fresh mango on the palate. Clean, fresh and ready to drink! 91 Points
Mayhem Pinot Gris 2020 Cans
The grapes were picked on October 5th from the vineyard in Naramata at 22 Brix. It was then whole-bunch pressed and fermented to dryness in stainless steel. The wine was left on the lees for three months to create complexity, then blended and filtered before canning.
Alcohol 13.0 % | pH 3.26| TA 6.93 | RS 0.97
A dry fruit-forward Pinot Gris. Gentle aromas of citrus and stonefruit. On the palate, apple, pear, lemon zest, nectarine and honey. Finishes with bright acidity and a hint of minerality. 89 Points
Mayhem Rosé 2020
For the 2020 vintage, there are two versions of Mayhem Rosé.
Mayhem Rosé 2020 Cans
The Merlot grapes were picked on October 7th from Middle Bench Road Vineyard in Naramata at 21 Brix and spent minimal time on the skins. It was then fully destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for 3 months to create complexity, then blended and filtered before canning.
Alcohol 13 % | ph 3.32 | TA 6.42 | RS 0.16
The 100% Merlot Rosé has a glorious peachy rose colour and some slight effervescence when poured from the can. The is a lovely light Provence style dry Rosé. Wild strawberry and rose petal aromas and flavours of ripe strawberry, white peach and watermelon. An easy-drinking rose for the hot summer months. 90 Points
MAYHEM ROSÉ 2020 Bottle
The grapes were harvested on September 28th from the estate vineyard on Anarchist Mountain in Osoyoos. The blend is 95.5% Merlot and 4.5% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were foot stomped for gentle extraction before pressing then aged on the lees for 6 months prior to blending and bottling in April 2021. 33% of the blend was aged in neutral French oak barriques and the remainder in stainless steel tanks.
Alcohol 13.3 % | ph 3.14 | TA 7.03 | RS 0.93
On the nose strawberry and watermelon. Flavours of strawberries and cream, ripe rhubarb and pink grapefruit. Vibrant acidity, body from the lees and freshness to clean the palate. The rich mouthfeel makes for a very food-friendly wine. 91 Points
Mayhem Fortified Gewürztraminer 2018 ($30.43)
Picked at 24 Brix on October 13, 2018, from Cellarsbend Vineyard in Naramata. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and fermented down to 19 Brix before being fortified with 93% alcohol. This was then put to the barrel and spent twenty months ageing in barrel, including one summer spent outside in the heat oxidizing and concentrating all complexities and flavours. It was removed from the barrel, sterile filtered and bottled in June 2020.
Alcohol 18.1 % | RS 172.5
Aromas of nutty caramel note with an underlying candied fruit. On the palate more candied fruit, ginger, cinnamon and orange zest. 89 Points
For the complete portfolio of Mayhem Wines please visit the winery website.