Chronos releases wines from superb 2020 vintage

Photo: Winemaker Lynzee Schatz

Penticton-based TIME Winery, which was founded by the late Harry McWatters, has now rechristened itself as TIME Family of Wines and has rebranded much of its portfolio. The wines at the heart of the portfolio now are released under the Chronos label. Chronos is the name of a Greek god associated with time, among many other things. There currently are six wines under the Chronos label. The most colorfully named wine is a red blend called Ouroboros. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Ouroboros as “a circular symbol that depicts a snake or dragon devouring its own tail and that is used especially to represent the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth.”

The McWatters Collection tier has been retained for the ultra-premium wines, representing the legacy of Harry McWatters. Evolve Cellars continues as the value brand, with refreshed labels and two new wines – a white blend called Spontaneity and a red blend called Momento. This is just one of the changes at the winery, now under new ownership. In addition to the winery’s location in a former movie theatre in downtown Penticton, a satellite tasting room has opened at District Wine Village near Oliver. As well, the winery has purchased a vineyard in Osoyoos. It is planted with 4.16 acres of Merlot, 2.86 acres of Syrah, 0.79 acre of Grenache and 0.61 acre of Petit Verdot. Some of this fruit was available for the winery’s 2021 vintage.

The current releases are primarily from the 2020 vintage. That has proven to be one of the best Okanagan vintages in the past decade. It gave winemaker Lynzee Schatz to show off her skill. Here are notes.

Chronos Riesling 2020 ($27.99 for 300 cases). The winemaker divided the grapes, which came from The View vineyard in East Kelowna, into two lots. They were fermented in two different tanks, at different temperatures with different yeast strains. One lot was fermented to dryness while the other lot was stopped while residual sugar remained. The lots were then blended into a wine of considerable complexity. Bright acidity is balanced with moderate residual sugar. The wine has aromas and flavours of citrus and stone fruit with a nice spine of minerality. 90.

Chronos Sémillon 2020 ($29.99 for 225 cases). The fruit, which came from an Oliver vineyard, was whole-bunch pressed, with 54% fermented in stainless steel and 46% in oak. This is a lean and focussed wine with aromas and flavours of lime, lemon and quince. The finish is dry and lingering. 90.

Chronos Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ($27.99 for 250 cases). Fruit from the Silver Barrel Vineyard near Okanagan Falls was harvested in two different picks. Winemaker Lynzee Schatz fermented each lot separately. Fruit from the top of the vineyard produced tropical flavours while fruit from the lower part of the vineyard displayed grassy flavours. Lynzee believes the blend is “a perfect balance.” The wine is intense and vibrant, with aromas and flavours of lime and pineapple mingled with herbal notes. 91.

Chronos Chardonnay 2020 ($29.99 for 240 cases). The wine, with fruit from Mirror Lake Vineyard near Oliver, was fermented entirely in stainless steel. No malolactic fermentation was allowed, further preserving the pristine fruit flavours and aromas. The wine begins with aromas of apple and pineapple, leading to flavours of apple and peach. 91.

McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2020 ($34.99 for 675 cases). The fruit for this wine is from two Osoyoos vineyards. The wine was fermented in French oak (20% new), with lees stirring and full malolactic. The oak is so well integrated that rich fruit remains the star. The wine begins with aromas of apple and brioche. On the palate, there are flavours of baked apple mingled with butter and ripe peach. The finish is exceptional. 93.

Evolve Momento 2018 ($23.99 for 500 cases). This easy-drinking red is a blend of 47% Cabernet Franc, 46% Merlot and 7% Syrah. Each was aged separately in French and American oak for 14 months before blending. The polished tannins give the wine a soft texture. The wine begins with aromas of blackberry and cherry. On the palate, there are flavours that echo the aromas. 88.