The 2012 Spring release from JoieFarm is proving to be the best yet from the Naramata Bench winery most famous for its proprietary white blend,
A Noble Blend, and for its
Think Pink rose but who have been filling out their portfolio with more single-varietal options in recent years. After two cooler vintages, 2012 sees a return to the winery's
balanced opulence roots with seven new releases for Spring including a new Gewurztraminer and a revamped Pinot Blanc.
A mild and dry Fall provided extended hang time for the fruit to build up sugars and achieve phenolic ripeness, while cool nights provided the desired level of acid resulting is a potent mix of attributes for exceptionally well-balanced wines. As fate would have it, quality was not the only benefactor in 2012, production is also up which means you'll have an easier time finding these great wines at local private stores, VQA stores and even some BCLDB Signature Stores..
JoieFarm 2012 A Noble Blend - $24
The art of assemblage is on display with this blend of 35% Gewurztraminer, 29% Riesling, 17% Pinot Blanc, 12% Pinot Auxerrois, 4% Schoenberger and 3% Muscat with each component contributing its own coloured tile to the larger mosaic, creating a complete and rewarding experience.
JoieFarm 2012 Rosé - $22
The 2012 assemblage is made up of 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay, 5% Pinot Meunier and 5% Pinot Gris with the components soaked on their skins for 3 to 4 days, helping to extract just the right amount of tannin and create the signature watermelon Jolly Rancher colour.
JoieFarm 2012 Gewurztraminer - $23
On the heels of the winery's successful Reserve Gewurztraminer from 2010 comes this varietal-series release with less bottle age built for early consumption. Expresses the pure joy of drinking a well-balanced, off-dry Gewurztraminer focused on texture above complexity.
JoieFarm 2012 Riesling - $23
A very consistent Riesling in style vintage to vintage and with its flavour profile from the nose through to the palate. Always a juxtaposition of acid and residual sugar, this rich, concentrated wine offers with a pleasing combination of citrus, honeydew, minerals, pineapple and green apple.
JoieFarm 2012 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - $23
There's un-oaked Chardonnay and then there's JoieFarm's un-oaked Chardonnay. The Naramata Bench winery packs so much into the nose and palate that the oak influence isn't missed.
JoieFarm 2012 Pinot Blanc - $23
Happily, the Pinot Blanc remains in the JoieFarm line-up for the 2012 vintage, though, at first blush, it's nearly unrecognizable when compared to the opulent
2011 edition.
JoieFarm 2012 Muscat - $23
Off-dry levels of residual sugar are well balanced by the citrus acidity on the concentrated, expressive palate. Manages to remain light and fresh despite the impressive body and texture derived from the opulent fruit rather than from any glycerol effect from high alcohol.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca
