2016 Ava

winemaking notes

After four consecutive hot to very hot growing seasons, 2016 is a return back to the classic South Okanagan.

2016 Ava is coiled tightly and is at its best with a long decant or better yet tucked away for a couple of years of slumber time in the cellar. Viognier and Roussanne have seamlessly married together on the nose and palate while the yellow orchard fruit and weight of Marsanne is most noticeable on the finish. Red Haven peaches, apricots are mingling with white aromatic flowers, herbal tea, and Spartan apple notes greet you on the nose. The tiny amount of new oak is very well integrated and barely shows itself more than a thin frame around a beautiful painting. With long decant, slight acacia honey drizzled notes on brioche bun come to the foreground. Anticipate beautiful toasted cereal notes to come forward about half a dozen years post vintage.

pairings

Heritage roasted chicken with traditional stuffing or game bird with tropical fruit accents.

technical details

Grape Variety: 50% Viognier, 32% Roussanne, and 18% Marsanne

Region: North Oliver and Black Sage Bench

Vineyard: Le Grand Pin & Crowley

Soil Type: Glacio Fleuvial Fan; Gravel and sand at Crowley Vineyard, mostly sand and clay and rare pockets of gravel in Le Grand Pin block. 

Age of Vines: 8 to 12 years

Yield:Average of 3.5 tons per acre

Production: 816 Cases

Alcohol: 13.9

Aging: 6 months in 5*% French Oak barrels and puncheons, the balance in Stainless steel. 6% new oak.

Battonage: Twice a week in the first month, then once a month afterwards. 

ACCOLADES

My blind notes start like this: Gorgeous nose! All grapes show! Bodacious. A blend of marsanne, roussanne, and viognier with classic aromas of peaches, beeswax and apricot. The palate is a complex arrangement of stonefruit, honey and pungent, sticky herbs. A nuance of new oak shows on the creamy spicy finish. Give plenty of air and a huge glass now, or save for a few years. Very special wine.

DJ KEARNEY | 91 POINTS

Le Vieux Pin is, in my view, the leading “Rhone varieties” producer in the Canada. Two vintages ago this named Gold Medal Plates Wine of the Year, and the 2016 follows nicely. It is a blend of 50% viognier, 35% roussanne and 15% marsanne displaying very refined, clean nose of mirabel plum, starfruit, apricot, jasmin, pepper and anise. Just a touch herbal as well. It is full bodied, rich, leaner and a bit less blowsy than some. Some heat here on the finish, but some minerality as well.

DAVID LAWRASON | 91 POINTS