2011 Ava
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
2011 was a long and cool growing season without the extreme daytime heat the South Okanagan is known for. This resulted in grapes that achieved full phenolic ripeness at record low sugar levels (and thus low alcohol levels). South Okanagan had an amazing fall with mild weather which gave us the luxury of a seven week long picking window. 2011 goes into the history book as an atypical, yet very welcome vintage.
The keys to growing these late ripening varieties successfully are to keep yields very low and to manage the canopy carefully to expose the bunches to the sun and promote air circulation.When mastered, the dried apricot and floral aromas step forward firmly.
PAIRINGS
Meat-Based
Herb-Crusted Quail or Chicken with Corn Bread Stuffing served with Apricot Jus or a side dish of Roasted Potatoes in Herb de Provence would go perfectly with this wine.
Plant-Based
A mild spicy noodle dish like Pad Thai or a Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry would pair marvelously.
Technical Information
| Region: | Black Sage Bench, North Oliver |
|---|---|
| Soil Type: |
Glacio Fluvial Fan; Gravel and sand at Crowley Vineyard, mostly Sand and Clay and rare pockets of Gravel in Le Grand Pin Block. |
| Age of Vines: | 4-8 years mostly 8 |
| Yield: | 3.4 |
| Production: | 494 |
| Alcohol: | 12.3 |
| Aging: |
42% French oak for 9 months, 11% New. |
Accolades
This is a ground-breaking blend (for the Okanagan) of viognier, marsanne and roussanne -Rhone varieties that do well in the dry, sunny climate of southern France. It has a lifted, engagning nose of rosemary, persimmon, starfruit and spice from partial ageing in French oak. It's medium weight, racy, warm and very spicy. The finish is somewhat bitter; the length is excellent to outstanding.
david lawrason | Tasted December 2012.
91 POINTS
A very classy and improved version of the Ava over the 2010, an intriguing, Rhône-inspired blend of viognier-roussanne-marsanne that's partially aged in oak (barrels and puncheons, 500l). The nose is an elegant mix of sweet and savoury herbs, cinnamon-tinged orange and orchard fruit notes, essential oil of violet and other nuanced and complex notes that make this well above the mean in terms of interest. The palate is fullish but well balanced, with seamless oak and very good to excellent length. Amazing to pack so much flavour into a wine with just 12.3% alcohol - that's good viticulture. A wine made with both confidence and savoir-fair.