Okanagan Trip, Part Four, off to Culmina for another special tasting

I've mentioned before what excellent value you get for the $10 that Culmina charges for this 40ish minute, sit-down tasting of their portfolio. This is our fourth visit, I believe, and this is actually the first time it wasn't private (it's not advertised as private, but you can get lucky as we always have). The table was full with a bunch of novice wine drinkers, a couple of whom seemed to be interested, but a few of whom seemed to be there just for "something to do". Too bad.

Anyway, let's get right to the wine.

Culmina 2016 Decora ($23.00)

Aromas of green apple, spice, stone fruit with just a touch of petrol, which is slightly unusual for such a fresh Riesling. Green apple and pear dominate the palate, with stone fruit and minerality popping in as well. Lovely as always. 89.

Culmina 2016 Unicus ($29.00)

The Okanagan's first Gruner Veltliner is still the best. This one doesn't quite measure up to the spectacular 2015 version, but it's still damn good. Aromas of meyer lemon, stone fruit and minerality. Flavors are complex and change in your mouth: peach, grapefruit, lemon and white pepper. Delicious. 92.






Culmina 2016 Saignée ($24.00)

73% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 13% Malbec

Aromas of strawberry, minerality, blood orange and herbs. Flavors of cranberry, pink grapefruit, strawberry and rhubarb. Herbaceous notes on the finish which is lovely. 89.








Culmina 2014 Dilemma ($34.00)

Toasty aromas of hazelnut, baked apple, clove and baking spice. Apple, pear, melon and just a hint of butterscotch on the palate. This is turning into a beauty of a Chardonnay. 91.








Culmina 2012 Hypothesis ($42.00)

An estate grown blend of Merlot (57%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%), and Cabernet Franc (19%) from Arise Bench

Impressive aromas of black fruit, vanilla, oak and mint. Juicy and complex palate with flavors of red plum, vanilla, dark chocolate and blackberry. So young, has years to go until it reaches it's full potential, but the ceiling is high. 92-94.





As always, nothing but quality from top to bottom.

Next up: Down the road for our first ever visit to a winery that has been highly recommended to us: C.C. Jentsch Cellars!