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Mayhem Wines is best known for producing high-quality, approachable wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Okanagan. They focus on crafting wines that offer excellent value from classic and lesser-known grape varieties. Some key aspects that Mayhem BC wines include are:

1. Terroir Expression: Their wines showcase the distinct characteristics of the Okanagan Valley, benefiting from the region’s diverse microclimates and varied soil types.
2. Diverse Portfolio: Mayhem offers a range of wines, including reds, whites, and rosés, made from grape varieties such as Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
3. Quality and Value: Mayhem wines are known for their commitment to quality. They are crafted to be approachable yet complex, appealing to casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs. They are often praised for their affordability relative to their quality.
4. Sustainability Practices: Mayhem BC wines emphasize sustainable vineyard practices, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and the long-term health of their vineyards.
5. Mayhem’s Anarchy brand is celebrated for its daring approach to winemaking. It offers unique blends and bold flavours that challenge traditional norms and appeal to the adventurous palate.

2023 Harvest

“The 2023 vintage was defined by extremes. An extremely cold winter led to bud damage and reduced yields, while wildfires in the north and south threatened the summer. While temperatures exceeded 40°C on several occasions in South Okanagan, the summer felt cooler than previous years. Temperatures between 33°C and 38°C are optimal growing conditions for our Bordeaux blends and aromatic whites.

Due to fewer clusters and full canopies, harvest began earlier, on September 18th, with our Rosé pick. Even though tonnages were lower than previous vintages, overall, the fruit quality was excellent. The flavour profile and phenolic development shone through, producing electric flavourful fruit for the white varieties and concentrated, structured reds.”

Ajay Chavan – Mayhem Winemaker

Here are the background information and tasting notes for the new wines.

Mayhem Pinot Gris 2023 ($19.22)

21-year-old vines in Kaleden produced this year’s Pinot Gris, a single vineyard blend from Belich Vineyard. The Pinot Gris was the last fruit to come in on October 1^st. Whole-bunch pressed, followed by a long, cool 10-week fermentation in stainless steel, before 17% was transferred to seasoned puncheons to finish fermentation. The wine rested five months on its fine lees before being blended and bottled. It is a wine that is very grounded and approachable.

Alcohol 13.3 %/ pH 3.15/ TA 8.55 / RS 1.83

This dry, light Pinot Gris has delicate aromas of citrus and stonefruit. Green apple, pear, lemon zest, nectarine, and honey are present on the palate. It finishes with bright acidity and a hint of minerality. It is excellent value and ideal for summer sipping. 91 Points

Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc 2023 ($20.97)

Hand-picked from a single vineyard on the Naramata Bench on September 21^st, the fruit was gently whole bunch pressed. It was racked off its lees and fermented slowly in stainless steel over seven weeks, with maximum fermentation temperatures only reaching 12°C to preserve the delicate aromatics. The final blend is from 92% stainless steel tank and 8% seasoned barrique. It was aged for four months on fine lees before bottling. 

Alcohol 13.1% / pH  3.03 / TA 8.2 / RS 0.11

This is a bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for pairing with seafood. The wine opens with intense aromas of tropical fruit. The wine has flavours that start with passionfruit and lime zest, followed by kiwifruit and fresh mango. Fresh, reinvigorating and ready to drink!  91 Points

Mayhem Anarchy Pinot Gris 2023 ($26.18)

This is the first vintage of Anarchy Pinot Gris, which is fermented in a combination of ceramic balls (41%), neutral puncheon (17%), and stainless steel (42%).

A single vineyard wine off Belich Vineyard in Kaleden, BC. The Pinot Gris was cropped at 3 tonnes per acre and picked on a specific flavour profile on the 9^th of October. The result shows off the vessels used and how particular percentages of different vessels interact with the wine to bring it to its full potential. Whole bunch pressed and held on its lees for 7 months, the wine had a long, and very cool 9-week fermentation which occurred in a mixture of ceramic balls, neutral oak, and stainless-steel vessels. Fermentation temperatures were kept cool to preserve the purity and delicate nuances of the fresh fruit.  

This is a fabulously textured Pinot Gris with a lovely honeysuckle and white stonefruit blossoms aroma. The energetic palate has flavours of lemon grass, passionfruit, papaya, apricot and ripe peach. The trailblazing Pinot Gris has great structure and complexity with a hint of minerality on the finish. 93 points

Mayhem Rosé 2023 ($21.83)

Hand-picked from Pheasant Run Vineyard in Kaleden, BC, this gorgeous Rosé is a unique blend that pushes the boundaries: Zweigelt dominates with a small amount of Merlot, Pinotage, and Malbec.

Alcohol %13.1 / pH 3.08 / TA 8.01 / RS 2.56

On the nose are strawberry, watermelon, and orange with herbal notes. Flavours of strawberries and cream, cranberry and Mandarin orange.  Vibrant acidity with freshness to clean the palate. The rich mouthfeel makes for a very food-friendly wine. 91 Points

Mayhem Sparkling Rosé 2023

 A thoughtful blend that is Merlot dominant gives the wine a beautifully pink colour.

Vibrant aromas of fresh red berries.  Flavours of ripe raspberry, watermelon, rhubarb and citrus with small bubbles. 90 Points

Mayhem Sparkling White 2023

A thoughtful blend of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

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, honeydew melon, and ripe peach. 89 Points

Mayhem Cabernet Merlot 2022 ($24.44)

The fruit was hand-picked from two unique vineyard sites in the South Okanagan. Picked on October 21st from Anarchist Mountain Vineyard in Osoyoos, originally planted in 1994, and on October 14th from Ryegrass Road Vineyard in Oliver, planted in 2009.

The fruit was whole berry destemmed into stainless steel fermenters and co-fermented. It remained on the skins for 14 days with a 5-day cold soak before being pressed to the barrel. Aged for 11 months in seasoned French oak barrels, a natural malolactic fermentation occurred in the Spring. The wine was bottled, unfined and coarsely filtered at the end of August. It is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Alcohol %13.7 / TA 6.63 / RS 0.49

Vibrant aromas of cranberry, blueberry, and blackberry linger on the palate, followed by flavours of blackcurrant, black cherries, roasted coffee, and toasted oak. Beautifully balanced, this wine has velvety smooth tannins and a seamless finish. 91 Points.

For Mayhem Wines’ complete portfolio, please visit the winery website. For information on previous Mayhem Wines vintage, see – Mayhem Wines’ 2022 Vintage shines