There’s a clear sense of intent behind Township 7’s Benchmark Series reds. These are not casual releases. They’re structured, cellar-worthy wines built on site expression, thoughtful blending, and patient élevage. In 2022, a challenging growing season ultimately delivered one of the most balanced and compelling vintages in recent years.
2022 Vintage: A Season That Turned in the End
“It has been quite an intense harvest this year… it almost seemed like two harvests for us — a sparkling harvest and then the rest all at once.” — Mary McDermott, Winemaker
After one of the coolest, wettest springs on record, the growing season started behind schedule, with delayed flowering and heightened disease pressure. But a long stretch of warm, stable weather through August, September, and October completely shifted the trajectory.
By harvest, the fruit told a very different story:
- Balanced sugars — ripe, but not excessive
- Fresh, well-preserved acidity
- Full tannin ripeness, particularly in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Stronger yields than the previous three vintages
The result is a vintage defined by contrast; early-season uncertainty giving way to wines with both ripeness and restraint. As reflected in both the Reserve 7 and NBO, 2022 delivered fruit in excellent condition with the balance needed for aging.
Township 7 NBO 2022
Blue Terrace Estate Vineyard, Oliver
Winemaking & Blend
A Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend (55.9%) with Merlot (44.1%), sourced entirely from the Blue Terrace Estate Vineyard on the North Bench in Oliver. The site’s stony soils retain heat into the evening, allowing for full phenolic ripeness, particularly important in a cooler-start vintage like 2022.
Fermented in a mix of large-format wood and stainless steel with daily remontage, the wine was then aged for 24 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak barriques, with 15% new oak. The extended élevage brings structure and polish, while maintaining the vineyard’s core expression.
Tech Specs
Alc. 14.5% | pH 3.63 | TA 6.5 g/L | RS 1.0 g/L
Cases: 455 | Vegan
Tasting Notes
Blackcurrant, dark cherry, and cocoa lead, with a subtle caramel note unfolding in the glass. The palate is full-bodied and refined, layering ripe black fruit with mocha and well-judged toasted oak. Tannins are firm yet seamlessly integrated, giving the wine both structure and poise. There’s a clear sense of precision and balance throughout, carrying into a long, savoury finish. Decant in the near term or cellar for added complexity. 92 Points
Township 7 Reserve 7 2022
Blue Terrace (Oliver) & Raju Vineyard (Osoyoos)
Winemaking & Blend
A Merlot-led Bordeaux-style blend: 56% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Cabernet Franc, sourced from two key South Okanagan sites. Blue Terrace provides structure and ripeness, while Raju Vineyard contributes aromatic lift and complexity from its mixed gravel, sand, and ancient lakebed soils.
Fermentation lasted 10–21 days with daily remontage for balanced extraction. The wine spent 12 months in barrel, was blended, and then returned to barrel for an additional 12 months — a deliberate approach to integration. Aging was in a mix of French (62%, 10% new) and American (38%) oak barriques.
Tech Specs
Alc. 14.7% | pH 3.64 | TA 6.4 g/L | RS 1.2 g/L | Cases: 499 | Vegan
Tasting Notes
This Merlot-driven Reserve 7 is a cornerstone red in the Township 7 portfolio, and in 2022, it absolutely delivers. The nose is deep and layered, opening with ripe black cherry, plum, and raspberry, seamlessly woven with cedar, eucalyptus, and a refined herbal lift that adds intrigue.
On the palate, it delivers in full force. Rich, concentrated black cherry and blackberry flood the mid-palate, backed by plush plum and a polished cedar spine. The texture is where this wine really shines; velvety, structured tannins give it both immediate appeal and the backbone to evolve beautifully over time. This is a confident, cellar-worthy red that captures the strength of the 2022 vintage with precision and poise. Powerful yet composed, it’s built for the long haul but already drinking impressively well. 93 Points.
Here is the link to purchase these excellent value BC wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
For information on Township 7’s 2025 wines, see Township 7 Whites 2023–2025: Precision, Texture & Site Expression
Final Take
These two Benchmark reds show the strength of Township 7’s 2022 vintage from different angles. NBO leans into Cabernet Sauvignon structure; darker, more powerful, and built for the cellar, with firm tannins that will reward patience over the next 5–8 years. Reserve 7, by contrast, is more immediately expressive, with a Merlot-driven core, lifted aromatics, and a more approachable, balanced profile in the near term.
Together, they highlight what 2022 delivered at its best: ripe, composed fruit, well-managed acidity, and tannins that feel complete rather than forced. If NBO is built for the long game, Reserve 7 offers earlier accessibility, but both reflect the structure, balance, and polish that define Township 7’s top tier.