Friday, July 31, 2015

Okanagan Trip, Part 12! Open The Hatch and let the wine flow into it!!!

Today's entry comes from a brand new winery.....and I mean BRAND NEW....upon our visit they had been open less than a month!


Instead of spending millions on a new state-of-the-art tasting room, they put the money into the wine, and has it ever paid off so far.

Not that the tasting room isn't nice....it's rustic, charming, homey....almost like tasting wine in a log cabin.

We were warmly greeted by a trio of young men (VERY young), the proprietors of this new, fun winery. Fun is the key word; they are going for good wines with fun names at reasonable prices, at least at the outset; they confided that they are going to be producing some higher-end wines on a separate label in the future.

The Hatch 2013 B Yanco ($13.99)

2/3 Pinot Blanc and 1/3 Viognier. Aromatic and floral, with hints of the tropics and just the right amount of acidity. At that price, it's simply a steal. 87.





The Hatch 2014 Hobo Series Semillon ($21.99)

Lemon, lime and pear on the nose and the palate. Unoaked, delicate and very balanced. 86.







The Hatch 2013 Screaming Frenzy Chardonnay ($17.99)

Lightly oaked with hints of lemon, hazelnut and butterscotch. Lemon, tropical fruit and just a touch of buttery goodness on the palate. Shows lots of potential. 87.



Well imagine our surprise, they happened to have an example of their "higher end" label to taste!


Black Swift Vineyard 2013 "The Long Road" Chardonnay ($40.00)

Single vineyard varietal from an East facing vineyard near Summerland. As above, lots of potential here and a solid first effort. Lemon curd, tropical fruit and butterscotch on the nose and palate. More full-bodied and buttery than it's little cousin above. One to watch. 89.





The Hatch 2013 Hobo Series Gamay ($21.99)

Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb on the nose. Red fruits carry through to the palate with just a hint of toasty oak and spice. 85.







The Hatch 2013 Screaming Frenzy Pinot Noir ($21.99)

Stunning for a first effort. Black cherry, plum, chocolate and vanilla on the nose and palate. Some light hints of spice on the long, luscious finish. An absolute "must-try" for your next Okanagan trip. 93.



The Hatch 2012 Bird's Eye View Pinot Noir ($26.99)

Cherries dominate the nose and palate. As above, a touch of spice on the finish. Smokier than the above and finishes just as long. I actually
preferred the cheaper of the two, but this is also fabulous. 89.





The Hatch 2012 Screaming Frenzy Meritage ($22.99)

60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of blackberry, black currant and a touch of mint on the nose. The berries continue through to the palate with a bit of vanilla and chocolate. You will not find a better Meritage in BC at this price. If you do, tell me where!!! 90.

A terrific experience and a new "must do" for all of our Kelowna trips. Given that these are the first wines released by this winery, they stand to be one of the top wineries in the Okanagan in the near future. Fabulous!!

Next up, the last stop in our Kelowna trip, next door to Quails' Gate and our postponed dinner!















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