This is the second set of new wines from Township 7 we have been fortunate to taste this year. Please see our previous Township 7 Blog for the 2019 Harvest notes and other wines released this year – Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2022 releases.
2021 Harvest
“The 2021 vintage is considered one of the most challenging growing seasons we have seen in the British Columbia wine industry. The warm spring led to an extremely hot and dry summer. Record temperatures were set across the province and challenged us to keep the vines cool and watered. The heat dome struck the province just as the berries set and bunches were swelling, shutting the growth down. This resulted in much lower crop levels, varying by location, from 10-50% down. The lower yields meant earlier ripening and we started harvesting Chardonnay for sparkling on August 24 and completed our reds harvest on October 14, well ahead of usual.
We also had challenges with local smoke in certain south Okanagan regions. Most growers were unscathed, however, a few vineyards in Okanagan Falls and Osoyoos were affected by the smoke taint, as they were extremely close to the fires.
Overall, despite the challenges from Mother Nature the quality of the wine is great. We have maintained excellent acidity and balance within the wines. Yields were low but the quality was certainly high.”
Mary McDermott, Winemaker
White Wines
Township 7 Pinot Gris 2021
Crafted with fruit from our Naramata Bench estate and Hidden Terrace in Oliver, this vintage is 100% stainless steel fermented to retain the wine’s fresh fruit character. The juice was kept cool during a low fermentation at 14°C for three weeks. The cool temperatures help to retain the fruit-forward character of the wine and refreshing crispness. The two terroirs contribute layers of complexity to the final blend.
Alcohol 12%/ pH 3.4/ TA 6.3 g/L / RS 3.0 g/L Vegan
The unoaked Pinot Gris bursts with aromas of peach, honeysuckle, pear, and a wet stone minerality. Flavours of orchard stone fruits and green apples with a mineral finish. 89 Points
Pair with sushi, seafood salads and a lighter risotto with fresh peas and spring asparagus.
Township 7 Riesling 2019
This single-vineyard Riesling is from the Fool’s Gold Estate in North Oliver, which is owned by Mark Antonello, a well-known vineyard manager. The property was planted over 2 decades ago by his father-in-law, Richard Cleave, the Okanagan’s most renowned viticulturist. The western sloping site benefits from the afternoon sun with the sandy clay loam soil containing a lot of rocks and gravel, providing excellent drainage.
The fruit was gently pressed and cold settled before being fermented cold (10-12°C) in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels. The ferment was long and slow to retain the delicate fruit aromatics. The vibrant acidity ensures the wine will age beautifully in the bottle.
A dry riesling with muted aromas of apple blossom and stone fruit and flavours of Key lime, Meyer lemon, ripe apple, pineapple and apricot. A crisp well-balanced wine with just the right amount of salty minerality on the finish. 91 points
Reds Wines
Township 7 NBO 2019
NBO stands for North Bench Oliver. This blend of 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot perfectly displays the terroir of the Blue Terrace vineyard. Its stony soils retain heat throughout the cool September and October evenings allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to thoroughly ripen. The Merlot adds subtlety and softness to the structure of the Cabernet. This full-bodied wine was fermented over 16 days with remontage twice daily. Barrel aged for 24 months in 224L French and American oak barriques.
Alcohol 14.2% /pH 3.7/ TA 6.7 g/L/ RS 2.0 g/L
Suggest you decant before serving. Vibrant aromas of black currant, blackberry, purple plums, and cedar with a hint of warm spice. Full-bodied, with moderate acidity and some young tannins that smooth out considerably with an hour or so of decanting. Flavours of ripe blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar with a warm, spicy finish. This wine is great now but will age really well. 92 Points
Township 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
This vintage was primarily crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon from Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos. The southerly location close to the border provides the heat units for superior grape ripening. The blend was rounded out with Cabernet Sauvignon from Blue Terrace Vineyard in Oliver which has a rich fruit profile to balance the tannins. A 21-day maceration period with varied cap management promoted rich fruit and tannin extraction. Gentle pressing and subsequent malo-lactic fermentation in French and American oak barrels enhanced softening of the mouthfeel.
Alcohol 13.9% / pH 3.69/ TA 6.0 g/L/ RS 3.0 g/L
This is a big dark cab so please decant before serving. Full rich aromas of dark fruit and caramel with a hint of cigar. Flavours of blackberry, black cherry and leather with a touch of tobacco. A juicy mouthfeel with smooth tannins and a long finish. 91 Points
Township 7 Reserve 7 2019
This vintage was primarily crafted with fruit from our estate Blue Terrace Vineyard in north Oliver, where the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was chosen for rich, ripe fruit flavours. These were complemented by both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Raju vineyard located in south Osoyoos. A 10-day fermentation with hand-punched cap management of the grapes resulted in balanced fruit extraction. A variety of yeasts and terroirs also added to the complexity. The varietals were aged separately for 12 months in barrels. We then blended the lots and returned the blend to the barrel for an additional 12 months of aging. A combination of French and American oak barriques and puncheons was used to add complexity to the wine.
50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc.
14% Alcohol / pH 3.61, TA 6.4 g/L, RS 1.8 g/L
A classic “Right-bank” Bordeaux style blend. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black currant, as well as hints of vanilla, woodsmoke, and warm spices. Full-bodied, the palate is robust with vibrant flavours of black cherry, blackberry, plum and a hint of cedar. The firm tannins require decanting for consumption now, but this has good potential for aging and can be cellared for 5+ years. 92 Points.
Enjoy with any grilled steak or pork tenderloin with roasted plums and rosemary, or pasta with eggplant, tomato and Parmesan.
Township 7 Cabernet Franc 2019 (Wine Club Exclusive)
Produced predominantly from Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos where the southern heat allows for full ripening. There is also a small portion from Sunshine Acres vineyard in Oliver to add complexity to the palate and 4% Merlot from Blue Terrace vineyard. This wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 24 months 20% of the oak was new.
Alcohol 13.5% / pH 3.69/ TA 6.2 g/L/ RS 1.9 g/L
Vibrant aromas of blackberry, strawberry and violets. Flavours of cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice and a hint of green pepper and savoury spice notes. The palate has well-balanced acidity and structured tannins. Decanting is recommended. 90 Points
Township 7 Syrah 2019 (Wine Club Exclusive)
This wine was made with fruit from the Fool’s Gold vineyard on Tucelnuit Drive in Oliver. A 15-day fermentation with pump overs and punch downs twice a day allowed for balanced maceration. Barrel aging for 24 months in a new French Foudre and 15 French and American neutral oak barriques enhanced tannins and fruit.
13.5% Alcohol / pH 3.69 / TA 6.7 g/L / RS 1.7 g/L
Aromas of black fruit, licorice and clove followed by a hint of smokey bacon. Flavours of blackberry, mushroom and white pepper notes. A medium-bodied wine with a velvet texture and a long finish. 91 Points
Here is the link to purchase these BC wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
Note: Tasting notes for the 2019 Cabernet Franc and Syrah were added in October 2022.