Introducing Cachet Wines

What were you doing on September 24, 2010? If the answer wasn't "enjoying a lovely glass of Grenache" then you likely missed International Grenache Day altogether or, perhaps, you simply didn't partake in the celebration of one of the world's most over-looked grapes due to the limited selection of Canadian wines with Grenache in the lead or even amongst the blend. Stag's Hollow Winery has a new line of exceptional wines that will solve this problem for BC and Alberta residents in preparation of the 2011 Grenache-lauding festivities.

The winery, based in Okanagan Falls, has given winemaker Dwight Sick full creative freedom to express his inner Spanish and Rhone Valley-self in the form of two small lot wines that have been released under the branding of Cachet Wines. Each release, and every subsequent release, will be identified numerically.

I had the pleasure of barrel sampling the first two releases in October but have yet to taste the finished product, now bottled and available directly from Stag's Hollow here.

2008 Limited Edition No. 1 - $49.90
A "Super-Duero", if you will, blend of 40% Tempranillo, 35% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. A fine example of constructing a unique taste out of different components and techniques. Showed fairly 'butch' in the barrel (American Oak), yet had elements of refinement and was oh-so tasty! 250 half-cases available (6X750ml).

2009 Limited Edition No. 2 - $49.90
A blend of 50% Grenache, 46% Syrah, 3% Viognier and 1% Marsanne is Dwight Sick's take on the many blends on offer in the Southern Rhone. A special wine with layers of complex aromas and flavours that delivers wide-ranging, Carmenere-like food pairing options. There's simply nothing else like it on the market today, a true original. Restaurants may be stocking up so you'll have to act quickly if you want a fantastic, Canadian-grown wine for the next International Grenache Day. Only 80 half-cases available (6X750ml).
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca