Okanagan Trip Part VI, and it's time to meet Boozy The Clown!!!

As we leave Cassini after our terrific tasting and blending trials, we head up to Tinhorn Creek to meet the lovely Shelann, their Wine Club coordinator who always takes excellent care of us. Today would be no exception, as our private tasting would take place in the barrel room! If you've never been to a barrel room, try to arrange it; it is quite a treat. The aromas.......oh man......incredible.

To the wine!

Tinhorn Creek 2017 Oldfield Reserve Rosé ($21.99)

100% Cabernet Franc

One of the most pleasing rosés out there; with arresting aromas of apricot, strawberry, raspberry and cranberry. As is common with Cabernet Franc rosés, watermelon flavors are present, but here they are just as an accent rather than overwhelming. Strawberry and red cherry flavors are prevalent with just a hint of orange and spice. Delicious.

Tinhorn Creek Innovation Series 2016 White Pinot Noir ($35.00)

White Pinot Noir? When did this become a "thing"? Well, it seems as if lots of wineries are doing this now, so I was excited to try one for the first time. White flowers, peach and nectarine on the nose. The stone fruit continue through to the palate, joined by just a touch of apple and vanilla. Interesting.

Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve 2016 Golden Mile Chardonnay ($34.99)

Seductive aromasand flavors of hazelnut, caramel, baked apple and pear. The palate is creamy and luscious but it is not quite there yet; if you have this and can give it 3-5 more years of careful cellaring, you will be royally rewarded. If not, it's already good, but try decanting it for a couple hours.

Tinhorn Creek 2015 Oldfield Series Cabernet Franc ($31.99)

Rich black cherry, cola, vanilla and red berries on the nose. A touch of mint. Blackberry, plum, red currant, dark chocolate and a touch of pepper on the palate. Another one that might improve mightily if you can give it some time, but it's already very nice.

Up next, Shelann treated us to a barrel sample of their flagship wine, 2016 The Creek. This won't be released for a while, and it needs a lot of time to get there, but the potential is already showing. This is going to be delicious.

That was it for our tasting, and now it was time for a lovely dinner at Miradoro. Well, at least that was the plan. Unfortunately the day of wine tasting got to our dear friend, who was not in any shape to make it through dinner (spending more time in the bathroom than at the table). Her husband dubbed her "Boozy the Clown", a nickname that I think is going to live in infamy!

So, no dinner for us on this night, and it was time to head home and get some sleep to start another big day tomorrow. Our day was scheduled to start with a big one, our first visit to Checkmate Artisanal Winery!