Quails’ Gate Family Estate Winery Tawny NV

Okanagan Valley, BC
$30.00 for 375ml

www.quailsgate.com

I had a great tasting at Quails’ Gate recently – and it was hard to select which wine to profile in DRINK. There’s the floral-meets-green apple crisp Chenin Blanc 2008 (the 2007 vintage was the only white wine served to Obama during his Ottawa visit earlier this year), and the Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 (an incredibly smooth, refined and earthily elegant wine).

Well, this little fortified beauty was 8 years in the making, only 800 cases were released last year, and the next time the cycle comes around won’t be for another few years.  So that’s reason enough!  Call to action – try now!

Plus the fact that this very unusual wine has stuck in my mind for over a week – and has me kicking myself for not picking up a bottle for my cellar.  Started in 2000, this 100% Gamay Noir was fortified with spirit and carefully cellar aged in French oak for 60-84 months. Pointed aromas of orange oil, rancio and aged cedar lead to silky and rich butterscotch, honeyed citrus, candied fruit and herbs.  Nice acid throughout, with medium sweetness (I’d guess 5 on the sweetness scale) and light tannins.  This wine will continue to gain complexity over the next few years and would be delightful with roasted nuts and dried Okanagan fruit.  And if you don’t buy some soon – don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Rating:  (click here to see what our wine ratings mean)