This week I decided it was time to open the 2023 BC Wine of the Year to determine if this was an exception Syrah.
I was fortunate to buy a bottle of the wine before it sold out rapidly after the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.
If you have not visited the Lake Breeze Naramata winery please read this earlier article – Lake Breeze Vineyard’s 23rd Anniversary. What strikes you first as you enter the winery grounds is the breathtaking lake view, the manicured grounds and patios and the sprawling Tuscan-style villa.
Winemaking Notes
The Naramata Bench Syrah is from a vineyard one kilometre south of the winery. The grapes were picked on October 29th and pressed on November 13, 2020. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
Tasting Notes
14% Alcohol. Deep ruby opaque red. The wine opens with the elegance of a Northern Rhône style Syrah. A gorgeous animated nose of violet, black plum, and blackberry, with a hint of pepper and earthy notes. The easy-drinking wine is dry and medium to full-bodied. Flavours of red and black fruit and savoury hints of olive, bacon fat, and white pepper. Vibrant acidity, soft dusty tannins and good length that will increase with age. Okanagan Syrah doesn’t get any better! I can’t wait to try the 2021 vintage. 94 Points.
Wine of the Year Award
On April 3 through 5, 2023, fifteen esteemed professional wine judges from Western Canada gathered in Penticton to participate on a blind tasting panel for the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards competition to choose the best wines in our province.
The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards was established in 2018 in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The competition is a celebration of excellence in winemaking. The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society presents the BCLGWA in collaboration with sponsors ContainerWorld and TricorBraun. It is open to all licensed British Columbia wineries, including fruit wines and mead.
The Lake Breeze Winery winemaking team of Victor Costa and Garron Elmes was very happy and humbled the 2020 Syrah has been chosen as the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – Wine of the Year. “We enjoy the fact that we can take grapes from the Naramata Bench and let it shine with minimal intervention.”
The 2020 vintage is already sold out but for the complete portfolio of Lake Breeze Vineyards’ wines please visit the winery website.