Township 7 Vineyards & Winery has released five wines to be enjoyed this winter and spring. Two vibrant sparkling wines, a light but vibrant Chardonnay from the “Heat Dome” 2021 vintage, and two elegant red wines.
Here are the tasting and background notes for the wines.
Township 7 Chardonnay 2021
This small lot of Chardonnay was mainly sourced (80%) from Hidden Terrace Vineyard in Oliver, with a touch of Chardonnay from the Naramata Bench Estate and Viognier from Fool’s Gold.
Just over 1/3 was fermented in French barriques, with the remaining fermented in stainless steel. The wine in the barrel underwent partial malolactic fermentation to enhance the texture, while the stainless steel portion kept its natural acidity.
12.5% Alcohol / pH 3.28 / TA 8.0 / RS 3.7 / Vegan
The lightly oaked Chardonnay has aromas of citrus, pineapple, ripe apple, and floral notes. Flavours of Meyer lemon, golden apple and pineapple. Low to medium body with a light mouthfeel and a trace of minerality. It has a richer acidity than the previous vintage. 91 Points.
seven stars POLARIS 2020
Radiant, elegant, seven stars POLARIS is a Blanc de Blancs Brut made from 100% unoaked Chardonnay. The grapes are handpicked with high natural acidity, which is maintained throughout an extended time in the bottle.
Crafted with fruit from two premium south Okanagan vineyards, Hidden Terrace in North Oliver delivers Chardonnay with excellent phenolic ripeness early on, and the Naramata Bench estate provides ideal acidity and freshness to the finished wine.
The wine was en tirage for 21 months to ensure the development of autolytic characteristics. After riddling, we disgorged and added our proprietary dosage for a beautifully complex sparkling wine with a depth of flavour. The wine was bottle-aged for 12 months before release.
Alcohol % 12.5 / pH 3.03 / TA 8.7 / RS 9 / Vegan
Polaris is a lighter-bodied sparkling wine. The creamy mousse gives an elegant texture to the mouthfeel and enhances the flavours of green apple, lime and freshly baked bread. The higher acidity is beautifully balanced, and the energetic bubbles give this wine a fresh and crisp finish. 92 Points.
seven stars RIGEL 2021
This méthode champenoise wine is made with Riesling from the sustainably managed Fool’s Gold Vineyard in North Oliver. Owned by Mark Antonello, a well-known vineyard manager, the vineyard was planted over two decades ago by his father-in-law Richard Cleave, the Okanagan’s most renowned viticulturist.
The western sloping property comprises sandy clay loam soil with abundant rocks and gravel providing excellent drainage. The fruit for this vintage was gently pressed, fractioned off to separate tanks for free run and gently pressed portions, with only the free run juice used in the final cuvée.
The juice was then cold-settled before a cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks to retain the delicate fruit aromatics. En tirage was for 12 months before disgorging and adding a proprietary dosage for a delicious and dynamic sparkling wine.
12.0% Alcohol / pH 2.94 / TA 9.8 / RS 10.5 / Vegan
A well-rounded dry sparkling wine. Aromas of lime zest, stone fruit, and a hint of brioche and white florals. Flavours of key lime, lemon and green apple. It is beautifully balanced with crisp acidity and a long, creamy mineral finish. 93 Points
Township 7 NBO 2020 ($44.97)
NBO stands for North Bench Oliver. The 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot blend is from the Blue Terrace vineyard. Planted over two decades ago, its stony soils retain heat throughout the cool Autumn evenings, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen perfectly.
This full-bodied wine was fermented for 16 days with remontage twice daily and then barrel-aged for 24 months in 225L French and American oak barriques.
Alcohol % 13.7 / pH 3.61 / TA 6.6 / RS 1.5
Decant before serving to release aromatics and soften the palate. Vibrant aromas of black currant, blackberry, purple plums, and cedar with a hint of floral. Full-bodied with super smooth tannins. Flavours of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, caramel and cedar with a long, warm, spicy finish. 92 Points
Township 7 Pinot Noir 2022 ($41.97)
The Pinot Noir combines 2 clones, 115 and 667, all originally from Burgundy. The grapes came from Remuda Vineyard in Okanagan Falls. Rich fruit and firm tannins are developed in the warmth of the south-facing Remuda vineyard.
A portion of the fruit was fermented in our concrete egg, with the remaining amount fermented in stainless steel. The concrete added some minerality and roundness to the blend, while the stainless-steel portion added fresh red fruit.
Two to three weeks of maceration time, including remontage, pipeage and pulsair daily. The wine was then transferred to 500L French oak puncheons for 12 months.
Alcohol 13.6% | pH 3.60 | TA 6.0 | RS 2.7
A wonderfully balanced and elegant Pinot Noir. Aromas of cherry with floral notes. The medium-bodied wine has rich flavours of black cherry, raspberry, forest floor undertones and velvet tannins that are well integrated. 91 Points
Here is the link to purchase these excellent value BC wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. For information on previous Township 7 vintages, see Township 7 Summer Wines and A trio of seven stars sparklers from Township 7.
Valentine’s Day Event
If you are in Vancouver over Valentine’s Day, check out the Blind Tasting Event at the Township 7 South Langley winery.