2016 Now finished: CABERNET FRANC, Painted Rock. Okanagan Valley, Canada

The Okanagan Valley is in British Columbia, western Canada. The wine region runs for 200 miles north to south, where the river flows into the Columbia River (which is both the water source and the key appellation for the wines of Washington State).
It’s a dry, arid area – viticulture is only possible via irrigation.

Cabernet Franc matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new wood).

Owned by John and Trish Skinner, this is a 56 hectare estate (previously an apricot orchard) planted to vines in 2005.

Canadia reds can be pretty dense and unyielding. This is certainly powerful (and serious) but does have a glossy sheen and some gentleness of texture. It will only improve over the next 5 years.

JUST 2 BOTTLES LEFT