On October 15, the Toronto Vintners Club hosted an unforgettable evening featuring a vertical tasting Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin, This iconic wine showcased the exceptional craftsmanship of Osoyoos Larose, a winery nestled in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Established in 2001 through a partnership between Bordeaux’s prestigious Château Larose and the Osoyoos Indian Band, the winery is renowned for producing world-class wines with a distinct blend of Bordeaux expertise and Okanagan terroir.
The evening began with a lively reception where attendees were greeted with a choice between two outstanding welcome wines—both exquisite expressions from Prince Edward County (PEC). The 2019 Stanners Vineyard Chardonnay enticed us with enticing aromas of vanilla, lemon, nuts, and subtle toasty oak. It was medium-plus bodied with a fresh and fruity character. The second wine was the 2019 Rosehall Run Chardonnay. Aged for 14 months in French oak, this wine delivered vibrant notes of orchard fruit and flintiness, balanced by an extended toasty finish.
After the reception, the focus shifted to the evening’s star: Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin. Our guest speaker was Kim Berdusco, certified sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers as well as a certified educator with WSET. Kim described the unique micro-climate of the Okanagan Valley and the distinctive winemaking philosophy behind Osoyoos Larose. Known for its innovative blend of Bordeaux varietals with the distinct characteristics of the Okanagan terroir, Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin has become a true representation of the region’s winemaking potential.
As we tasted 9 different vintages, ranging from 2001 to 2019, we were discovered how climate influenced the character of the wines and also how they evolved over time. Significant variation was noticed when we compared the wines from cool to moderate to warm years. During cool vintages, grapes ripen slowly, retain more acidity and have lower alcohol which produced elegant wines with fresh fruit and red berry flavours. The wines produced from warm vintages had riper flavours, as the grapes ripened faster. These vintages had more cooked and dried fruit flavours, higher alcohol, with a lot of richness and ripeness up front but don’t always last as long in the cellar. The wines from moderate vintages have a lovely balance of fruit, structure, drinkability and are the most age-worthy. The different vintages, weather conditions, and winemaking techniques gave each wine its own story. The range of complexities, from youthful, fruit-forward expressions to more mature vintages that exuded elegance and depth, showcased the expertise of the winery across all the wines tasted.
A curated selection of appetizers was served, thoughtfully paired to complement the unique characteristics of each wine. After much deliberation and lively discussion, the 2014 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin emerged as the favorite among the group. With a balance of elegance, complexity, silky tannins and a refined structure, the 2014 vintage captivated the crowd with its flavors of black currants, cherries, and plums, layered with savory notes and supple tannins. The 2014 vintage, often described as one of the most approachable in Osoyoos Larose’s history, left a lasting impression. The winery's commitment to excellence and experimentation was evident throughout and reinforced Osoyoos' reputation as the premier name in Canadian winemaking.
Here is how Kim and the group ranked all the wines.
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