Fairview Cellars Madcap Red 2008

Fairview Cellars

Madcap Red 2008

Oliver, Okanagan Valley, BC

$27-32 available at winery & select private stores

www.fairviewcellars.ca

Tucked into the north end of the Golden Mile benches, on some particularly choice dirt (part of the Reed Creek alluvial fan), and between the driving range and the first hole of the Fairview Mountain Golf Course you’ll come across Fairview Cellars. But don’t take a road trip to “The Wine Capital of Canada” and expect a tasting on demand at this Oliver winery. It’s not that owner/winemaker Bill Eggert isn’t happy to taste you on his wines. It’s that this jack-of-all-trades is most likely in the vineyards, tending to the vines and working the soil. After all, this is the culmination of a decades-old dream of running his own vineyard, and he’s going to be out in it every chance he gets.

Eggert’s reds are crafted to age, and for the most part are centered on the structured Cabernet Sauvignon grape, his favourite. His wines even come with a ‘best after’ date, indicating his suggested drinking window. Madcap Red is the exception to the waiting game, plumped up with Merlot (60%) and bookended with Cabs Sauvignon and Franc. The result is a deep ruby, with bramble, blackcurrant, spice, savoury tobacco leaf and dusty dark cocoa. Great mineral acidity plays with the plumy and polished Merlot, and would partner well with tender beef – try loin or cheeks. Or search out Sezmu beef from the Okanagan – lucky cows are wine fed.

What’s in a name? Never one to shy away from speaking his mind or asserting his beliefs, independent Eggert was called the “Madcap” winemaker by Canada’s best known wine writer. As such, he thought it appropriate to rename his Merlot-Cab blend Madcap. We tip our cap to you Mr. Eggert.

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

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Fairview Cellars Madcap Red 2008

Eggert’s reds are crafted to age, and for the most part are centered on the structured Cabernet Sauvignon grape, his favourite. His wines even come with a ‘best after’ date, indicating his suggested drinking window. Madcap Red is the exception to the waiting game, plumped up with Merlot (60%) and bookended with Cabs Sauvignon and Franc. The result is a deep ruby, with bramble, blackcurrant, spice, savoury tobacco leaf and dusty dark cocoa. Great mineral acidity plays with the plumy and polished Merlot, and would partner well with tender beef – try loin or cheeks.