Here are some more fine wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. The Syrah is from the 2020 vintage and the Riesling is from 2021. The fabulous 2022 vintage is a sparking seven stars Rigel and a mellow Merlot.
Before the tasting notes, here is an update on the Township 7 Harvest 2022.
Harvest 2022
The 2022 vintage was another year of extremes in British Columbia. The weather was unpredictable, with an unusually cool spring (one of the coolest springs ever on record in the Okanagan) followed by a remarkably warm autumn. The winter was very cold in December 2021, causing some bud damage as temperatures dipped to below -20°C. The cool, wet spring, particularly in April, May, and June, led to late bud break.
Flowering, in some cases, was almost 4 weeks behind average, while in Langley, we were 5 weeks behind normal. In addition, there was high disease pressure from powdery mildew due to the damp spring and leaf hoppers, which seemed to explode with the moderate temperature.
As things began to heat up in late July, hail in Naramata damaged leaves and left some bruising on fruit. However, the warmer temperatures throughout August, September and October allowed the grapes to come to optimal ripeness. Fortunately, by fall harvest, the fruit was in excellent condition with good acidity and balance, and with higher yields than the previous 3 years.
In summary, although the year started with an impending sense of doom, it dramatically improved by season’s end to become one of the best vintages in recent decades.
seven stars RIGEL 2022
The seven stars Rigel is named for the 7th brightest and one of the youngest stars in the night sky.
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.
Alcohol 11.5% | pH 2.86 | TA 10.4 g/L | RS 10.4 g/L | Vegan
A well-rounded dry sparkling wine. Aromas of lime zest, stone fruit, and a hint of brioche and white florals. Flavours of mandarin orange and green apple. It is beautifully balanced with crisp acidity and a long, creamy mineral finish. 93 Points
Township 7 Provenance Series Merlot 2022
“This vintage blends Merlot from our North Oliver Bench’s Blue Terrace Vineyard and Front Yard Vineyard in Naramata. The rocky soils of Oliver yield high-quality grapes, while those from Okanagan Falls lend added complexity and structure. A two-week maceration at warm temperatures, using remontage, pipeage, and pulsair techniques, achieved a rich fruit extraction with smooth tannins. The wine was then aged for 18 months in 67% French and 33% American oak barrels, adding layers of caramel and vanilla to balance the full-bodied mouthfeel and enhancing its structure.” Township 7 Winemaker, Mary McDermott
Alcohol 14% | pH 3.58 | TA 6.5 g/l | RS 2.5 g/l | Vegan
A rich Merlot with aromas of blackberry, cedar and baking spices. Flavours of black cherry, red plum, toasted oak, dark chocolate, caramel and vanilla with earthy notes and firm tannins. The wine is complex and has a long finish. 91 Points
Try with a roasted pork loin and plum sauce or grilled mushroom burgers.
Township 7 Benchmark Series Riesling 2021 ($29.97)
“Crafted from 100% Riesling from the Fool’s Gold Vineyard in North Oliver. Under the long-time ownership of Mark Antonello, a well-known vineyard manager, and planted by his father-in-law Richard Cleave, the Okanagan’s most renowned viticulturist. The fruit was gently pressed and cold settled before the majority was fermented in concrete, with a small portion fermented in older barriques. The fermentation took 4 weeks, which has resulted in the retention of the most delicate fruit aromatics. The concrete fermentation added a nice creamy texture to the palate which balances the vibrant acidity. This wine promises great ageability in bottle over the coming years.” Mary McDermott
Alcohol 12.2% | pH 3.18 | TA 8.2 g/L | RS 3 g/L | Vegan
A dry riesling with muted aromas of lime and stone fruit and flavours of citrus, ripe apple, pineapple and apricot. A crisp, well-balanced wine with just the right amount of flinty mineral on the finish. 91 points
Township 7 Benchmark Series Syrah 2020 (Wine Club Exclusive)
“This Syrah was made with fruit from the Fool’s Gold Vineyard on Tucelnuit Drive in Oliver. Farmed by Mark Antonello, the property was planted over a decade ago by his father-in-law, renowned viticulturist, Richard Cleave. Its rocky terrain lends complexity and minerality to the wine. The soils also help the fruit ripen fully by maintaining warmth throughout the cool autumn nights. An 18-day fermentation was performed in 2 oak fermenters and one stainless steel tank. Pigeage and delestage management of the grapes during fermentation enables rich fruit extraction. After pressing, the wine was aged for 24 months in French and American oak barriques for enhanced tannins and fruit.” Mary McDermott
Alcohol 13.5% | pH 3.56 | TA 6.1 g/l | RS 2.1 g/l | Vegan
A garnet-coloured wine with vibrant black fruit, violets and black pepper aromas. The medium-bodied Syrah has flavours of blackberry, black cherry, and chocolate, smooth tannins, a medium to long finish and built to age. 92 points
Here is the link to purchase these excellent value BC wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery