I have been fortunate to taste Daniel Bontorin’s premium Seven Directions Rosé wines for the last five years and the 2020 vintage may be the best yet.
Here are some brief comments from Daniel on the status of his new winery in Cawston before moving on to the tasting notes.
The Cawston Winery
We are planting 1.25 acres ( 2400 plants ) of Garnacha Tinta ( Grenache ) this weekend finally (May 15th)! The plants took a little longer to arrive from France. This gives us about 3.65 planted acres:
- 1.25 Grenache clone 52
- 1.25 Cabernet franc clone 214
- 1.15 Pinot noir clone 667
We are not certified organic ( yet ) but we are farming organically, literally weeding by hand between the vines.
The winery building is progressing, trades are in and out on a semi-regular basis. An addition was put on to the house, a larger Fortis service and a handicap accessible bathroom as part of the wineshop licences requirements. We are on track for obtaining our winery manufacturing license and crushing this fall.
Daniel Bontorin
2020 Vintage
Seven Directions Tractor and Vines Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
“Sourced from a single vineyard, the grapes for this Pinot Noir rosé were sustainably farmed on the Tractor & Vines Vineyard located in Summerland. This tiny 1.1-acre parcel sits at lake level and faces perfectly East-West. The soil for these 12-year-old vines consists of rich organic matter, silty clay loam and Fluvioglacial deposits. Rooted on Riparia Gloire and grafted with close 667.
One of the best growing seasons was experienced in recent vintages with excellent temperatures and no disease pressure. The result was a lighter crop with lower Brix and alcohol. We were amazed at the cluster size even though the cluster count was lower than normal. 4.2 tons in total were harvested, the latest ever to date showing excellent balance and focus.
Using minimalist low intervention winemaking, these grapes were hand-harvested the latest ever for this vineyard on October 28, 2020, at 22.7 Brix. Crushed, cold-soaked on the skins for a mere 2 hours and gently pressed. Fermentation took place in 75% stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aroma, as well as 25% in neutral French oak barrels for added creaminess and texture.”
Daniel Bontorin – Winemaker
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Alcohol 13.5%, pH 3.45, TA 6.9g/L, RS 1.3 g/L. only 130 Cases
TASTING NOTES
A delicate pale cantaloupe hue. The wine opens like a leisurely walk in a garden of orange blossom, roses and jasmine in bloom.
Flavours of strawberry, grapefruit and mandarin orange. A creamery, smooth and long finish with a slight hint of bitterness to keep the palate aroused. The perfect dry BC Rosé for a sunny day on the patio. 93 points
Seven Directions Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc Rosé 2020
VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
“Sourced from a single vineyard, the grapes for this Cabernet Franc Rosé were sustainably farmed on the sun-drenched Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard, in Osoyoos. The soil for these 13-year-old vines has a main layer of larger rock and shale, followed by gravel, loom and some clay. The Cabernet Franc vines are well rooted in 3309C stock and grafted with clone 331.
This season saw another early start, but this year the yields were down with cooler weather, as well as Brix levels resulting in an excellent balance between sugar and natural acid. Using minimalist low intervention winemaking, these grapes were hand-harvested on October 16th, 2018 at 21.6 Brix.
The grapes were crushed and pressed with two hours of skin contact, lightly pressed and fermented at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aroma. Bâtonnage in the tank was performed once a week during the fermentation for added texture and mouthfeel.”
Daniel Bontorin
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Alcohol 12.5%, pH 3.38, TA 5.3 g/L, RS 1.0 g/L only 153 cases.
TASTING NOTES
This dry Rosé displays a clear salmon pink hue with aromatic aromas of apricots, wild strawberries and white peach followed by earthy notes. The elegant, soft, round palate compliments the wonderful nose with a hint of rhubarb and minerality. The wine’s natural tannin and acidity finish bone dry with a mild spice.
Just inhale and the wine transports you to a spring meadow in Provence. This wine truly reflects the terroir of the Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard. 92 Points and a great value at only $20.99
Please visit the Seven Directions Wine website to order these excellent BC Rosés or to find the restaurants that stock these wines.
You can find the notes for previous vintages here.