Roche Wines | 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Deep roots in French tradition nourish our shared passion for soils, vines and wine. Each of our wines is the expression of one place, one exceptional Okanagan terroir. Hands-on farming is our first priority, and this artisanal scale is reflected in the very limited quantities produced.
– Pénélope and Dylan Roche
Pénélope and Dylan Roche, the owners, winemakers, and vignerons at Roche Wines, brought their sustainable farming practices and traditional French savoir-faire to Okanagan terroir in 2011. With deep roots in Bordeaux and Burgundy, the Roche's consider themselves as ‘vignerons’ in the truest meaning of the word, committed to crafting their wines from start to finish.
Wines included this month
November 2023
Enthusiast Red: White: 2022 Vig Schönburger, 2019 nuances
Enthusiast Red Only: 2019 nuances, 2022 Vig Gamay
Enthusiast White Only: 2022 Vig Schönburger, 2021 Tradition Pinot Gris
Expert Red: White: 2022 Vig Schönburger, 2019 nuances, 2022 Vig Gamay
Expert Red Only: 2019 nuances, 2022 Vig Gamay, 2021 Vig Clone 777 Pinot Noir
Expert White Only: 2022 Vig Schönburger, 2022 Vig Pinot Gris, 2020 Tradition Chardonnay
Master Red: White: 2022 Vig Schönburger, 2022 Vig Pinot Gris, 2020 Tradition Chardonnay, 2019 nuances, 2022 Vig Gamay, 2021 Vig Clone 777 Pinot Noir
Master Red Only: 2019 nuances (x2), 2022 Vig Gamay (x2), 2021 Vig Clone 777 Pinot Noir (x2)
VIG SCHÖNBURGER, 2022
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Schönburger
Vineyard: Kozier Organic Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 590
Appearance: Bright, light straw colour.
Nose: Reductive, melon bouquet with a floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, aromatic lychee and melon flavours. Beautifully balanced, rich mid-palate flavours carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Brown butter-seared scallops, Korean cucumber salad, honey and lemon-glazed chicken, roasted red pepper linguini, and salmon ceviche with avocado.
NUANCES, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Merlot (54%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%), Cabernet Franc (22%)
Vineyard: Merlot — Kozier Organic Vineyard, Naramata Bench; Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc — Suncrest Vineyard, Oliver
Alcohol: 13.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.36 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 860
Appearance: Deep dark purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, vanilla, blackcurrant nose.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, richly textured flavours of blackcurrant, plum, and redcurrant with evident but mellow tannins. Firmly structured and beautifully balanced.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Reminiscent of Bordeaux’s St. Julien. Can be opened now, but will reward holding for 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Prime rib roast, duck confit, pumpkin and sage-baked gnocchi, roasted turkey with cranberry-merlot sauce, and fried tofu with spicy ginger-sesame sauce.
TRADITION PINOT GRIS, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Kozier Organic Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 220
Appearance: Light straw-yellow in colour.
Nose: Spicy, minerally, lightly toasty, peach pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, honeyed white peach flavour rounded with a touch of oak. Elegant and easy drinking.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Awards:
Gold - 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Salmon with salsa verde, Thai red curry mussels, sun-dried tomato quiche, creamy garlic pesto chicken, and roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic vinegar.
VIG GAMAY, 2022
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Oliver vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 432
Appearance: Ruby in colour.
Nose: Earthy, cherry bouquet with a touch of pepper and a note of violets.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, intense, ripe black cherry flavour. Great mouthfeel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Falafel tabbouleh with lemon yogurt sauce, everything bagel-smoked salmon flatbread with herbed cream cheese, roasted chicken drumsticks with chilli-basil vinaigrette, pulled pork sliders, and cumin-spiced red lentil burgers.
TRADITION CHARDONNAY, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Domaine Roche Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.03 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 175
Appearance: Bright, yellow straw in colour.
Nose: Spicy, toasty, apple bouquet with notes of struck flint.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple and peach flavours with oak spice. Lovely mouthfeel and great length.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Very Burgundian in style. Can be consumed with pleasure now, but hold back some bottles and see it develop over the next five years.
Food Pairing: Lobster and corn fritters, ahi poké with quinoa and heirloom tomatoes, honey butter-grilled chicken with parsley sauce, roasted pork belly with peach salsa, and mini zucchini and goat cheese tarts.
VIG CLONE 777 PINOT NOIR, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Kozier Organic Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.1%
Residual Sugar: 0.85 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 360
Appearance: Light ruby colour with a tawny hue.
Nose: Spicy, cedary nose of wild strawberries and a touch of tobacco leaf.
Palate: Medium-bodied, savoury, strawberry flavour. Elegant and silky on the palate. Burgundian style.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Smoked barbecued pork ribs, rack of lamb with rosemary butter, grilled sesame-crusted tuna steaks, chicken adobo, and roasted vegetable quesadillas.
VIG PINOT GRIS, 2022
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley Naramata Bench
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Kozier Organic Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 0.85 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 556
Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Lovely aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and hints of fresh green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Flavours of stone fruit, orange, lemon, and green apple. Nicely balanced with a bright finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Roasted spaghetti squash with morel mushrooms, tacos al pastor, grilled shrimp skewers with lemon and garlic, miso-glazed chicken, and cioppino (Italian seafood stew).
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