I think I can
I think I can
From the well-known children's book "The Little Engine that Could".
This winery should probably called "The Little Engine that Did".
But they are sticking with "Little Engine".
As I mentioned in my last post, we had time to fit in one more winery before we had an appointment for a tasting at La Frenz...and what happened to be just down the street? Little Engine, a winery none of us had ever heard of, let alone visited.
Out front of the tasting room was a sign that indicated their tasting fees. They were...significant...to put it mildly. IIRC, $8 for the lower end tasting opportunity, and $18 for the 'good stuff'. Each fee could be waived upon purchase...the $8 tasting with $30 worth of wine, and the $18 with (I believe) $75 worth of wine. Those are significant commitments to many BC wine drinkers, so we will see how that stands up as time goes on...but for now, we pressed on as I was quite intrigued as who had the balls to charge those kind of tasting fees as a new (relatively unknown) winery.
Upon being greeted in the tasting room and seeing the portfolio, I told the lady behind the counter that one of two things was true: Their wine was really overpriced, or REALLLLLY good. We were eager to see which one was true.
They have three levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The entry level Silver line would probably be considered "Reserve" by many BC wineries. Let's get to the tasting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsAoW2UYrtLCg1M6t1f-YWgGpID_JpFWSOL2IFKIDVnM4foRPfaGTdT_dhE7RJvKflQjuWiTpoqrysynNpmt2CzMmXWFzYj5H8-a83OVsFPbsf_ol5WuclQuJelIGQ8b1wBEgABvbrW4/s200/2015+Silver+Chard.jpg)
Little Engine 2015 Silver Chardonnay ($30.00)
Pleasant aromas of citrus, with a touch of hazelnut and butterscotch. Pineapple and herbaceous notes abound and it features a chalky mouthfeel. 89.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjzaGllPt9rxZ5zvD2KZaLzWd6kkP-GmfPF3B0qOwHPP-UiA9AJDUet0kQOY2PvAWNTye0O292LRQL4Ti6DqRQ1VEBIafAz4jw6vGNNBhys_KfwQPRyUS6_wtSiXcqfQ07pqqMxMQOoI/s200/2015+Silver+PN+-+Copy+%25282%2529.jpg)
Beautiful nose of clove, black cherry and baking spices. A touch of tea, strawberry, rhubarb and red cherry on the palate. Really special already. 92.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqmFtDdYKYMNZg8nQYNMm6UFzsOIZnHEt_0LodVMx-IvmbLqL1C2adPOicPAfkFlfckzEr8DBDz9H2-DYT_ex1K_ZGTZOEJjosBSKct2RJLRMmMBL8wtK1wGCT4HVsm4hd8t0u6-A1Lo/s200/2014+Silver+Merlot1.jpg)
Little Engine 2014 Silver Merlot ($35.00)
Dark fruit, raspberry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy and round palate of red cherry and some savory herbs. 89.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSy_xP2m6KDniNLusEQ574K9JRjh-lAs9DfZvLbueQKu4aO4ZbrrKZ6ZjyxtqcMhv3VsbU_CkFC7rc_tw2UON3siqOCi3_e5Tfma0wMhrTgoak75lv7mF48EQEj1pw5hHKVFg3v5pOAw/s200/2014+Gold+Chard.jpg)
Little Engine 2014 Gold Chardonnay ($55.00)
Intense notes of butterscotch, hazelnut, almond and orchard fruit. Complex palate features stone fruit, lemon, lime and hazelnut. Long and luscious finish. So delicious already. 93.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbt6xtkJVO2U233egKp-hzurLjEg8r9Dax2XyoC-BVuFA3_uTujysexGSe441ZVQOMDz1ovNtPStaMgXHGiNtf9HULeGbBhXdG3AuQWVtizGGHtQbeU53mh586hpPCknwvnUIGTJQVHo/s200/2014+Gold+PN.jpg)
Blackberry, black cherry, truffle, earth and herbs on the nose. Beautiful, juicy palate, with black fruit flavors and hints of earth, spice, tobacco and earth. So good but I suspect this one really needs to age a bit to catch up to itself. If you can't wait, decant for an hour or two. 92-94.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1wIyIQBhEuyv44Bj0ZH4ctgi9o40VPOBzosi7KAEuATDQacSbMa905Wd_juuW7iQHglEGJtff_Qc57Z13C0jbK2ahNHkHtHjEsNqNm1uhyEWpp0KMoz1BLj7LvkCHzZlwijWBK4lN9I/s200/2015+Gold+Merlot.jpg)
Vanilla, tobacco, oak and cassis on the nose. Big and bold and intense with flavors of vanilla and cedar. Finishes long and beautiful. 91.
Little Engine 2015 Platinum Cabernet Franc ($75.00)
Beautiful, intense aromas of violet, cigar box and black fruit. The fruits turn red on the palate, with additional notes of blackberry. Beautifully balanced and a long finish. So tasty. 94.
Little Engine 2015 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon ($75.00)
Complex aromas of blackberry and baking spices. Rich and round palate with flavors of cassis, fig and black fruit. Long, beautiful finish. So much potential. 91-93.
I think I can
I think I can
I think I did....spend way too much money here.
And we'll be back for more.
Next up, our first visit to nearby La Frenz!
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