A recent trip to the Okanagan took me through Oliver where I had the pleasure of sampling the wines of Fairview Cellars. Nearly gone, new and soon-to-be released stalwarts of the portfolio were tasted along with a few interesting one-off wines - each with its own story - true to the Fairview brand.
2014 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon - $50
Recently removed from the 'available wines' menu in the shop, but you may be able to request a few bottles if you contact the winery soon. Always one of the better Cabernet Sauvignon in BC and the 2014 vintage is one of the best from the Fairview home vineyard since 2007.
2014 Premier Series The Bear - $45
A classic Meritage blend with ripe tannins and higher intensity than recent vintages of the label.
2015 Crooked Post Pinot Noir - $25
A very approachable, rounded Pinot and the best drink-now option of Fairview's portfolio, unless you want to spring for one of the library releases Bill Eggert, Fairview's winemaker and proprietor, makes available occasionally.
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2015 Two Hoots - $25
Not yet released. Happily still priced at $25, this wine is a blend from multiple sites in the Southern Okanagan Valler. Roughly a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot. A wine to buy by the case.
2014 Mad Cap Red - $29
A fruit-forward, well-balanced, Merlot-driven alternate to the Two Hoots, though, similarly sourced from multiple vineyards in the Southern Okanagan.
2015 Fumé Franc - $35
In barrel, this Cabernet Franc showed extensive flavour influence from the 2015 fires that ravaged the Okanagan that year. Bottled separately and branded with a unique label immortalizing the fires that gave it its intense, smoky characters. A wine you either will love or hate - not a lot of middle ground on this one (this is why you visit in-person and taste before you buy).
2012 Autre Côté - $65
Another one-off label commemorating the final purchase of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Jean Baptist-managed U2 vineyard along the Black Sage Bench (on the other side of the valley, or d'autre côté). A contract no longer needed as the Fairview-managed, Quail's Wayside vineyard has come into full production. Good fruit + good vintage = good Cabernet.
2016 Sauvignon Blanc - $20
Nicknamed "Bill's Oyster Wine" and it's hard to improve on that association. A crisp, mouth-watering blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon sourced from the Fairview home vineyard and a another local vineyard.
2011 Iconoclast - $120
Sold only in the tasting room, this is the winery's one true Reserve/Barrel Select wine of the best Cabernet Sauvignon each vintage. Released "when ready" the 2011, showing brooding dark and blue fruit on the pruny-nutty nose and the spicy-acerbic, dry palate, has yet to be added to the portfolio, even at 6 years of age, though, this is likely to change soon for a late-Summer 2017 release.
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- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Where is the Cabernet Franc?
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