Step into the world of Vasanti Wines, where every bottle tells a story of craftsmanship and passion. From the robust elegance of the 2021 Syrah to the enchanting complexity of the 2022 Cabernet Franc and Merlot, these wines showcase bold flavours that linger on the palate and captivate the senses.
Since the debut vintage in 2023, we’ve had the pleasure of savouring Vasanti Estate Wines, witnessing their evolution into increasingly complex and distinctive expressions of the vineyard. Each sip reflects the winemakers’ dedication and their terroir’s unique character.
Before diving into the tasting notes of these exceptional new releases, you could explore the story behind the winery’s owners, their vision, and the vineyards that bring their creations to life. We’ll also delve into the extraordinary “once-in-a-quarter-century” 2022 growing season and harvest that has shaped this remarkable vintage.
2022 Harvest
“2022 was a very interesting year with ups and downs like a rollercoaster. The season started around 2-3 weeks behind regular due to the delayed bud-break. Our team was quite worried when this was followed by more rain than usual in May and June. We also didn’t see the typical warm temperatures during those months, which didn’t help things catch up during summer. Luckily, things were warmer and dry afterwards.
This season, we decided to be slightly more aggressive than usual for the crop thinning, especially in our premium red blocks in Osoyoos. This was our focus in case the temperature cools quickly again in September and October. The last thing we wanted was grapes that aren’t ripening to the levels we expect to make a high-quality wine. Fortunately, we were hit with a warm September and October which every grower we know is thankful for! These lead to some amazing quality grapes that exceeded Brix expectations and were comparable to our historical numbers!
Our Merlot at this location took about 10-14 days longer than usual to reach our desired Brix level for harvest.
We harvested some of our Cabernet Sauvignon for rosé in early October for our West Bench block in Osoyoos, BC. The remaining Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested about 2 weeks later. The grapes could ripen above-expected Brix levels with a favourable flavour profile as well. We have done some exceptional tank tastings. We CAN’T WAIT to see the final products.”
The East Bench block, which plays host to our premium Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, was picked at Brix levels close to historical levels. This block was able to catch up quicker than the rest of our blocks due to the high number of days of growing degrees here.” Davinder Sidhu
Vasanti Wines 2022 Merlot
The grapes are grown at the Paradise Block of the Monarch Vineyards in Northern Oliver. The juice from the crushed grapes was fermented in stainless steel tanks with three pump-overs daily. The wine was aged 21 months in new American Oak and neutral barrels.
13.9% Alcohol. The colour is dark and inky. Vibrant aromas of black fruit with floral notes. Flavours of black cherry, blackberry, tobacco and Earl Grey tea. A medium to full-bodied Merlot with aspringent tannins . The Merlot is still young but has the structure to age . 90 points.
Vasanti Cabernet Franc 2022
The Cabernet Franc is grown in the East Bench vineyard. The wine was pumped over 3 times a day during fermentation and aged 16 months in new American Oak barrels.
13.7% Alcohol. The Cabernet Franc is lower in alcohol than the previous vintage. It opens with a beautiful red fruit aroma and a hint of violets. The medium plus-bodied wine has a beautifully rounded mouthfeel with complex flavour layers of red cherry, leather and ripe raspberry, velvet smooth tannins and vanilla on the lingering finish. 92 Points.
Vasanti Syrah 2021 (Exclusive to club members)
The inaugural release of the single vineyard Syrah from the “Heatdome” vintage. Planted in the most southerly site, this wine was drenched in the sun for the growing season, so the fruit was ripened entirely.
This led to leaving the wine to mature in oak for 33 months, all in new American Oak barrels. The alcohol is off the charts at 15.5% but does not overpower this bold red.
Full-bodied and fruit-forward, it is a close cousin of the Aussie Shiraz I love from Rockford in the Barossa Valley. It has full-on aromas of floral violets, spice, black cherry, and plum. The flavours are raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, black cherry, caramel and licorice, with black and white pepper notes. Smooth tannins and a long finish complete the profile. This wine is ideally suited for cellaring, with exceptional aging potential. 93 Points.
Here is the link to purchase Vasanti Wines and more information on the winery portfolio – Unwind with Vasanti Wine: Explore the Flavours and Vasanti Estate Winery 2021 Reds.
Note: This article was written by a human (engineer), but AI (ChatGPT) was used to polish the introduction.