I was able to have a short chat with Seven Directions’ Winemaker Daniel Bontorin when I picked up these premium Rosés just in time for Easter Dinner.
Construction of the new Bottega Wine Studio winery at Cawston in the Similkameen Valley is nearing completion. It will be 2023 before the tasting room is licensed and open to BC wine enthusiasts. Just under 4 acres of Garnacha Tinta (Grenache), Cabernet Franc and PinotNoir vines were planted last year and are growing well with minimum winter damage.
Daniel utilizes low intervention winemaking, creating a premium portfolio of exceptional wines through their three brands: Bottega Wines, Seven Directions Wine, and K Little Vintners. He specializes in crafting small-lot wines from Okanagan grapes that he feels display the highest potential for producing great Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Viognier to name a few.
The winemaking information and tasting notes for the Rosés follow.
Seven Directions Tractor and Vines Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 ($24.99)
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 B.C. This tiny 1.1-acre parcel sits at lake level and faces perfectly East-West. The soil for these 14-year-old vines is dry farmed in rich organic matter, silty clay loam and Fluvioglacial deposits. Rooted on Riparia Gloire and grafted with close 667.
Lower yield this season delivered excellent depth of flavour, creaminess and focus with 4.15 short tons hand-harvested on September 24th, 2021, with 23.35 Brix, crushed, cold soaked on the skins for a mere 2 hours then gently pressed.
The lower crop and hotter temperatures this vintage yielded concentrated clusters with lots of colour. To obtain the palest hue with the most flavour, we made the decision not to keep the hard press portion. 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 3.19, TA 8.4 g/L, RS 2.1 g/L. only 223 Cases
TASTING NOTES
A Provence-style Rosé masterpiece! Delicate pale salmon hue. The wine opens with intense aromas of orange blossom, rose petals and jasmine. Flavours of wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and mandarin orange. A creamery, smooth and long finish with a slight hint of bitterness. A perfectly balanced wine with more acidity than previous vintages. 93 points and a great value wine.
Seven Directions Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc Rosé 2021($22.99)
VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
“Sourced from a single vineyard this Cabernet Franc rosé was sustainably farmed on the sun-drenched Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard, located in Osoyoos B.C. The soil for these 14-year-old vines has a main layer of larger rock and shale, followed by gravel, loam and some clay. Well rooted on 3309C stock and grafted with clone 331.
This season saw another early start, but this year yields were down with hotter weather, some winter damage was noted. The wine shows the vintage with nice weight and concentrated flavours.
Using minimalist low intervention winemaking, these grapes were hand harvested earlier then normal on September 20th, 2021, with 22.59 Brix. The grapes were crushed with 2 hours of skin contact, for a delicate hue, lightly pressed, and fermented at a cool temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aroma. Battonage in tank was performed once a week during fermentation for added texture and mouthfeel.”
Daniel Bontorin – Winemaker
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Alcohol 13.5%, pH 3.22, TA 6.6 g/L, RS 0.9 g/L only 283 cases produced.
TASTING NOTES
The dry Rosé has a pale salmon pink hue. Aromatic aromas of apricots, wild strawberries and white peach followed by sagebrush notes. The Rosé is more intense, with slightly more body than the 2020 vintage. The elegant, fruity and textured palate compliments the wonderful nose with flavours of strawberry, red cherries a hint of rhubarb and minerality. The wine’s natural tannin and acidity finish bone dry with a hint of pepper.
This wine truly reflects the terroir of the Fruitvale Ridge Vineyard. 92 Points and a great value wine.
Please visit the Seven Directions Wine website to order these excellent BC Rosés.
For previous Seven Directions Rosé vintages see 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.