The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada is known for producing some exceptional red wines. Here is a summary of some of the best Okanagan red wines:
- Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Syrah: This award-winning wine is known for its rich and complex flavours of dark fruit, pepper, and smoky oak. It has a full body and a long finish, and pairs well with grilled meats and hearty stews.
- Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio: The Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio is a Bordeaux-style blend that combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It has flavours of black cherry, cassis, and vanilla, with a long and velvety finish.
- Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus: The Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus is a Bordeaux-style blend that combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It has flavours of dark fruit, chocolate, and espresso, with a velvety texture and a long finish.
- Painted Rock Estate Winery Red Icon: This Bordeaux-style blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It has flavours of black cherry, cassis, and vanilla, with firm tannins and a long finish.
- Martin’s Lane Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir: Vinified in their amazing gravity-only winery to minimize disturbance of the delicate juice. Intoxicating nose of pine resin, black plum, black raspberry, ripe strawberry and allspice. The palate is medium-full, luscious, medium plus acid, and fine tannin. Pricey, but pushing the bar.
- Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin: This Bordeaux-style blend is one of the most expensive wines from the Okanagan Valley. Deep dark ruby in the glass. Cedar and earthy in the nose. Blackberry, plum, blueberry, earthy, leather, black licorice and black currant on the palate. A lot of tannins.
- Le Vieux Pin Équinoxe Syrah: A very complex wine with a medium+ garnet colour that effortlessly combines elements of both old-world and new-world styles. Full-bodied and fruit-forward, a cousin of the Aussie Shiraz I love from Rockford in the Barossa Valley. Full-on aromas of floral violets, spice, black cherry and plum. Flavours of raspberries, blackberries, blueberry, black cherry and smoked meat with black and white pepper notes. Smooth tannins and a long finish.
- Hester Creek Garland: The Cabinet Sauvignon dominant Garland can cellar for 8+ years. Elegant, intense, muscular and full of dark fruit drama and luscious on the palate with black currant, dark plums, blueberry with mint and savoury herbs. The tannins are ripe and smooth and the finish goes on forever!
- Ex Nihilo Night: Grapes from the Black Sage and Golden Mile Benches create this elegant Bordeaux-style blend. Aromas of black fruit, cassis and tobacco. Flavours of black cherry, plum, fig and dark chocolate. The balance and structure of this wine define perfect elegance! An extremely smooth and supple mouthfeel.
- La Stella ‘Maestoso’ Merlot: Bursting with bright cherry-candy fruit. Stiff at first, it smoothes beautifully with substantial breathing time, showing polish and purity. The overall balance and flavour intensity propel it to a high level.
- River Stone Corner Stone: The River Rock vineyard was planted with this wine in mind. Corner Stone is the winery’s signature wine and is a classic Bordeaux style blend with over 18 month in French oak. Vibrant black cherry and blackberry aromas. This is a bold, full-bodied red with fruit-driven flavours of black plum, dark chocolate, coffee, tobacco and a hint of smoke and savoury spices. The smooth, ripe tannins are well-rounded, and the finish is long.
These are just some exceptional red wines produced in the Okanagan Valley. There are many more to discover and try, so be sure to explore the region and find your own favourites. Let me know if I have missed your favourite in the comments below.
If you are finding these wines too pricey for your budget then explore – 11 Great Value BC Red Blends