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Old Block Pinot Noir 2021 *special pricing*

$35.96
$47.91
*Please note that in the 2021 vintage we experienced wildfires very close to our McLean Creek Rd Vineyard which has resulted in smoke being present in some of these wines. Therefore, we have made the decision to offer a 25% discount on select products from our McLean Creek Rd Vineyard in this vintage. We are still tasting and selling these wines in our wine shop and found that many customers prefer them, and often don’t detect any smoke.

The "Old Block" Pinot Noir is one of the original vineyard plantings from 1994 and is part of the largest block of Pinot Noir at our estate vineyard on McLean Creek Road in Okanagan Falls. The wine aged in 100% French oak (50% new) for 11 months before being bottled. We produced only 215 cases.

Specifications

  • Alcohol 13.5%
  • Acidity 6.8 g/L
  • Appellation Okanagan Falls
  • Country Canada
  • ph 3.59
  • Region Okanagan Valley
  • Type Red
  • Varietal Pinot Noir
  • Vineyard McLean Creek Road Vineyard
  • Vintage 2021
  • Winemaker Chris Carson
  • Notes

    Winemaker Notes

    The 2021 vintage began with typical spring temperatures but with lower-than-normal precipitation budburst began in early May. Starting in June we saw the beginning of forest fires in the valley as well as smoke from northern California and Oregon. Then came the heat dome with temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius some days and continued for roughly a week to 10 days. Those extreme temperatures reduced yields significantly in our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blocks. Once the temperatures returned to seasonal averages in August, we had exceptional weather stretching into September and finishing with a typical October. We began harvesting our Pinot Noir on October 14th. Due to the reduced yields, the 2021 vintage could be one of the most flavourful in recent memory.

    Vineyard Notes

    Our family owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” is within the Okanagan Falls sub-geographical indication (sub-Gi) which was designated in 2018 and recognized as being geologically unique in the production of wine grapes. It has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The “Old Block” Pinot Noir as it is affectionately called, is one of the original vineyard plantings in 1994 and is part of the largest block of Pinot Noir at McLean Creek Road. It has a steep southerly aspect to capture the full range of the sun, is roughly one acre in size, and the clone is unknown. We have always believed the “Old Block” could stand on its own, but we had to wait until the new planting (2009) of Pinot Noir had matured and came into full production. Although we are not certified organic, we practice organic/sustainable farming principles.

    Production Notes

    215 cases produced. 

    Product Notes

    At the winery the fruit was gently de-stemmed via gravity into small open top fermenters and allowed to cold soak. After cold soaking, an indigenous fermentation began, with temperature peaking at 30 degrees Celsius. Gentle hand plunging of the must was done throughout. After a post-maceration period the wine was transferred to 100% French oak barrels (50% new) where it remained for 11 months. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of terroir, this wine is unfined and unfiltered.