Understanding island life hit me like an Oprah “Ahah”
moment as I drove off the ferry onto Salt Spring Island in search of local wine.
The ram shackled collage of make shift businesses complimented by some
bare footed patrons was like reading a sign that said “we do things our
way”. They took the blue pill many moons ago and now act as ambassadors
to a way of life so many us only dream about. It was sad to see the city folk,
myself included, yearning for this organic pace that we all know is far
healthier than the ticking time bomb of urban stress we try to convince
ourselves is for the betterment of something.
Garry Oaks Winery is the first of
three wineries along the route that traipses through the island. A few acres of Pinot Gris line the road
and driveway up to the winery. A
witty and well versed lady walked me through the line up this day.
|
2008 Pinot Gris |
$24 |
|
|
I really like the subtle complexity this wine
portrayed. Take your time and
discover the array of aromatics these island grapes exhibit. The palates body is thinned by the
sharp acidity, but it works on this wine. The bright citrus and grapefruit play well into the kiwi
finish. Start by serving this
wine chilled and let it come up in temperature as your drinking it and watch
it get a fatter mouth feel and take on a more oily presence. Enjoy with popcorn. A little pricy but well made. |
Score |
|
|
Visual |
3/3 |
|
|
Nose |
11/14 |
|
|
Palate |
21/27 |
|
|
Overall
|
4/6 |
|
|
Add |
+50 |
|
|
Total |
89/100 |
|
|
No winemaker has the intention of making bad wine. Therefore 50 points are awarded to
the wine for all winemaking efforts. |
||
|
2008 Blanc de Noir |
$20 |
|
|
A blend of Zwiegelt and Pinot Noir this is
the quintessential rose that is built for easy drinking yet offers up some
complexity and food friendliness.
I appreciate the island fruit and small production, but is a little
pricy as well. The structure of
this wine will lend itself well to food. I’m reaching for some soft island goat cheese and truffled
fingerling potatoes. |
Score |
|
|
Visual |
3/3 |
|
|
Nose |
11/14 |
|
|
Palate |
19/27 |
|
|
Overall
|
5/6 |
|
|
Add |
+50 |
|
|
Total |
88/100 |
|
|
No winemaker has the intention of making bad wine. Therefore 50 points are awarded to the
wine for all winemaking efforts. |
||
|
2007 Pinot Noir |
$25 |
|
|
A delicate complexity I like in a pinot noir,
complimented by a soft hand of oak.
In a couple of years the natural bright acidity will start to drop out
and the palate will get quite soft and silky. Great finish full of cherries, strawberries, spice, and
leather. If you must open now,
work the wine around foods that are delicate in flavour as well and avoid
spicy and sweet foods to keep the body as full as possible. |
Score |
|
|
Visual |
3/3 |
|
|
Nose |
12/14 |
|
|
Palate |
20/27 |
|
|
Overall
|
4/6 |
|
|
Add |
+50 |
|
|
Total |
89/100 |
|
|
No winemaker has the intention of making bad wine. Therefore 50 points are awarded to
the wine for all winemaking efforts. |
||
|
2005 Fetish |
$28 |
|
|
A blend of Cab Franc and Merlot from the
Okanagan. I like the candy like
ripe dark berry fruits on the nose with touches of spice, leather, and pencil
lead. The palate gets a little
rough as the tannins are gritty and spotty and merlot is giving a chalk dust
impression. Some fatty foods
will help round out this monster.
I’m reaching for some duck confit ravioli in a traditional sage and
brown butter sauce. |
Score |
|
|
Visual |
3/3 |
|
|
Nose |
11/14 |
|
|
Palate |
18/27 |
|
|
Overall
|
4/6 |
|
|
Add |
+50 |
|
|
Total |
86/100 |
|
|
No winemaker has the intention of making bad wine. Therefore 50 points are awarded to
the wine for all winemaking efforts. |
||
I look
forward to stopping back and checking out the two wines that were unavailable
at the time of my visit. Prism, a
Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer bland and their Zeta which is made from Zwiegelt.
Excerpt
from website.
Who is Garry, anyway?
We are asked occasionally who Garry is. We even
receive mail addressed to Mr. Oaks!
Garry oaks, Quercus Garryana, also known as
Oregon White Oak, is a species of oak unique to the Pacific Northwest region of
North America including Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands. These
hardwood trees date from before the ice ages, and are found on steep south- and
west-facing sites with rapidly drained soil, in areas with a Mediterranean-type
climate (sites that, coincidentally, also favour vineyards!).
The "Garry" refers to Nicholas Garry,
deputy governor of the Hudson's Bay Company when the company was active in the
Pacific Northwest during the early nineteenth century.
Garry oak ecosystems are rare in British Columbia
and the focus of conservation efforts. In Oregon, which has larger reserves of
Garry oaks, wood from these trees is used by craft cooperage house to produce a
small quantity of wine barrels. These barrels exhibit flavour characteristics
considered to be closer to those made of French oak than those made of other
American oaks, and are particularly complementary to Pinot Noir.
Garry Oaks Winery ages its Pinot Noir in Garry oak
barrels.