Photo: Stag's Hollow Winery owners (photo courtesy winery)
Stag’s Hollow Winery has always had a fairly large portfolio
of wines- and that is the way the owners like it.
“You know us,” laughs Linda Pruegger, who owns Stag’s Hollow
Winery with husband Larry Gerelus. “We can never go a vintage without making a
new wine.”
New next spring, there will be a 2018 Blanc de Noirs from
Stag’s Hollow. It is made primarily with the winery’s Ritter Clone of Pinot
Noir, with a little Gamay Noir. The wine, which shows a slight blush, is being
aged in oak and is getting regular lees stirring to build texture. About 200
cases will be bottled.
The winery’s penchant to be different has been aided its
Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard. This 18-acre property just north Okanagan Falls
was acquired in 2011. To date, 10 acres has been planted, with about three more
plantable acres remaining.
Shuttleworth Creek is just two km north of the winery’s
estate vineyard. The two properties have begun to produce enough fruit that
Stag’s Hollow is about 85% self-sufficient. The two vineyards are quite
different aspects, giving the winery the option to grow a wide variety of
grapes.
Shuttleworth Creek grows two Spanish varietals, Albariño and
Tempranillo; two Italian varietals, Dolcetto and Teroldego; six clones of Pinot
Noir and a small block of Vidal. This spring, Stag’s Hollow planted Syrah here
as well.
“Our goal is to make rosé from the Syrah vines,” Linda says.
The winery’s current releases include an Albariño from
Shuttleworth Creek, a Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard, and a Syrah from the
grower-owned Amalia Vineyard near Osoyoos.
Here are notes on the wines.
Stag’s Hollow
Albariñ0 2017 ($18.90). This wine begins with appealing aromas of citrus
and melon with floral notes. On the palate, there are flavours of apple and
tropical fruits around a spine of minerality. The finish is crisp. 91.
Stag’s Hollow Pinot
Noir 2016 ($21.99). In the technical notes accompanying the wine, Stag’s
Hollow notes that the wine is “slightly more masculine” than its Pinot Noirs
from Shuttleworth Creek. That reflects the fact that the estate vineyard, a
sunbathed bowl, is the hotter of the two vineyards. Dark in colour, the wine begins with aromas
of cherry mingled with earthy notes. The palate is juicy, with flavours of
cherry and good acidity to keep the fruit bright and lively. The texture is
silky. 91.
Stag’s Hollow Syrah
2016 Amalia Vineyard ($25.99). The wine begins with aromas of black pepper,
fig and plum. There is a big gob of sweet fruit on the generous palate, with
the flavours echoing the aroma. 92.
No comments:
Post a Comment