We have been fortunate to taste Mayhem wines since the 2018 vintage. The wines continue to impress and the brand has become a true market leader for value. Before going to the tasting notes for the new wines, here are the winemaker’s comments on the 2022 Harvest.
2022 Harvest
“The 2022 vintage started off very slow with cool temperatures. Summer delivered our usual glorious Okanagan weather without the extreme heat we had in the previous year. The latter half of the season presented great weather for slow and gradual flavour and phenolic development in the fruit keeping sugar levels in control.
The fall weather produced above-average temperatures right through to the end of October, which were ideal conditions for retaining natural acidity and slow gradual accumulation of flavours to optimal ripeness.”
Ajay Chavan, Mayhem Winemaker
Mayhem Sparkling Rosé 2022
These 250mL cans are so convenient for that Summer picnic. The Rosé blend is predominantly Merlot. Alcohol 12.5% / RS 1.24
The perfect pale pink dry Rosé. Aromas of ripe raspberries, and cherries. A fresh and crisp palate with red cherries, cranberries and rhubarbs. The tiny, elegant bubbles create a refreshing mouthfeel with a hint of tartness on the finish. 89 Points
Mayhem Sparkling White 2022
The white sparkling wine is a Chardonnay dominant blend. Alcohol 12.5% / RS 1.27
A refreshing light sparkler for a hot summer day. The nose is light with notes of citrus and orchard fruits. Fizzy bubbles with flavours of pineapple, lemon sherbert, and a hint of honeydew melon. 89 Points
Mayhem Pinot Gris 2022 ($18.36)
The pinot gris grapes are from the Ryegrass Road Vineyard in Oliver. The fruit was whole bunch pressed, followed by a long, cool 10-week fermentation in stainless steel. Before finishing fermentation, 16% of the wine was transferred to seasoned barriques to build body and complexity. The wine then spent 5 months resting on its fine lees before being blended and bottled creating a wine that is very grounded and approachable.
Alcohol 13.1 %/ pH 3.05/ TA 7.97 / RS 0.44
A bone dry light Pinot Gris. Delicate aromas of citrus and stonefruit. On the palate, green apple, pear, lemon zest, nectarine and honey. Finishes with bright acidity and a hint of minerality. Excellent value and is ideal for summer sipping. 90 Points
Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc 2022 ($20.97)
The overall 2022 growing season has provided outstanding fruit for the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc. It was hand-picked on October 14th from a single vineyard on the Naramata Bench.
This fruit was gently whole bunch pressed and only the best juice was taken. The juice was racked off its lees and fermented slowly in stainless steel over an 8-week period with maximum fermentation temperatures only reaching 12C to preserve the delicate aromatics. The final blend consists of 93% in stainless steel tank and 7% in seasoned barrique. The wine was then aged for 4 months on fine lees before bottling.
Alcohol 12.0% / pH 3.09 / TA 8.48 / RS 3.8
This is a dry New Zealand-style “tropical” Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for pairing with seafood. The wine opens with intense aromas of tropical fruit. The light wine has flavours that start with a passionfruit buzz and key lime zest followed by kiwifruit, and fresh mango. Pristine, reinvigorating and ready to drink! 92 Points
Mayhem Riesling 2022 ($20.97)
This year the Riesling was picked on optimal flavours on October 23rd. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and fermented in 100% stainless steel for 3 weeks before being stopped at 17.55 g/L of residual sugar. It was then left on its lees for 7 months to age in a combination of neutral puncheons; 27% neutral barrique and 73% stainless steel, before being blended and bottled.
Alcohol 12.6% / PH 2.93 /TA 11.1 / RS 17.55
A beautiful classic Riesling. The wine is light straw in colour. Aromas of apple, pear, tropical fruit, and honey with a hint of herbs. On the palate, there is lively acidity with flavours of green apples, lemon zest and white peach leading to a crisp finish. 91 Points
Mayhem Rosé 2022 ($20.97)
The Merlot was crushed and destemmed directly into the press and then gently pressed taking only the best juice. It was then racked off its heavy lees and fermented slowly over an 11-week period. To preserve the delicate aromatics, the maximum fermentation temperatures only reached 10C. This long, cool, primary fermentation allows the freshness and clean crisp flavours to shine through. The final blend consists of 92% stainless steel tank and 8% neutral barrique. The wine aged on lees for 6 months.
Alcohol 13.5 % / ph 3.14 / TA 8.98 / RS 4.97
On the nose strawberry and watermelon. Flavours of strawberries and cream, cranberry 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 Cabernet Merlot 2021 ($24.44)
The fruit was hand-picked from two unique vineyard sites. On October 12th from Anarchist Mountain Vineyard in Osoyoos, originally planted in 1994, and on October 7th from Ryegrass Road Vineyard in Oliver, planted in 2009.
The wine was whole-berry destemmed into stainless steel fermenters and kept separate until the final blend. It remained on the skins for 15 days before being pressed off and put into barrels. Aged for 11 months in seasoned French barriques, a natural malolactic fermentation occurred in the Spring. The wine was bottled in late Summer, unfined and unfiltered. It is a blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Enjoy now or within the next 2 to 4 years.
Alcohol %13.8 / pH3.62 / TA 6.52 / RS 0.83
Vibrant aromas of cranberry, blueberry and blackberry. Flavours of blackcurrant, black cherries, roasted coffee and chocolate linger on the palate. Beautifully balanced, this wine has velvety smooth tannins and a seamless finish. 91 Points.
Drink this excellent value red blend now!
For the complete portfolio of Mayhem Wines please visit the winery website.
You can also try these wines at the following Summer events.
Mayhem Wines & Meyer Family Vineyard Winery Events
Mayhem Wines and Meyer Family Vineyard Winery bring you the Summer Sunday Music Series. Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon of live music on the grass or in the cabana while sipping on a glass of your favourite Meyer or Mayhem wine.
Admission is free, wine is available for purchase by the glass or bottle. There is some seating but guests are welcome to bring a picnic blanket, lawn chair or simply lounge on the grass.
THE BORDERLINES
Sunday, June 25th from 3-5 PM
Take in the stunning vineyard views and enjoy the sounds of the local band The Borderlines. Classically trained violinist, Don plays a mix of Gypsy Jazz, Bluegrass and Celtic music. With Leslie’s Folk and Western Swing vibe, this duo is so fun, and a must-see! The Dumpling Truck will be on-site from 2-5 PM serving up tasty summer fare suited perfectly for live music and wine tasting.
ROD & RON
Sunday, July 9th from 2-4 PM
The winery is pleased to welcome back the local duo Rod & Ron! Come on down for a relaxing Sunday afternoon of live music and wine in the vineyard.
RICK & LAURIE
Sunday, July 23rd from 2-4 PM
Enjoy the sweet serenades of local duo Rick Van Camp and Laurie MacGregor. Playing a mix of acoustic pop, folk, country and some originals.
SILVER STAR WINE FESTIVAL
This August, the Silver Star’s Summer Wine Festival from August 10th through 13th. Sip local wines and enjoy ingredient-driven menus at this reimagined culinary event. Angela Grant will be pouring Mayhem samples of the latest releases at the Signature Walk-About Tasting Event on Saturday evening.