Tender Hope Winery | 2023
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Wine is made in the vineyard. Tender Hope Winery stays true to this statement, letting the fruit shine in each bottle. They use traditional winemaking methods and minimum intervention, letting the wines mature naturally. Owner and winemaker Efi Perel has been growing grapes and making wine for over 25 years. With a rich background working in the B.C. wine industry, Efi takes you on an adventure through their special vineyard sites, grape varietals and micro-climates, which represent both the Columbia Valley south of the border in Washington state and locally in the Okanagan Valley, B.C.
Wines included this month
April 2023
Enthusiast Red: White: 2021 Tender Summer, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Enthusiast Red Only: 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Fire Dance Meritage
Enthusiast White Only: 2021 Tender Summer, 2018 Roussanne
Expert Red: White: 2021 Tender Summer, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Fire Dance Meritage
Expert Red Only: 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Fire Dance Meritage, 2018 Midnight Black Syrah
Expert White Only: 2021 Tender Summer, 2018 Roussanne, 2021 Chardonnay
Master Red: White: 2021 Tender Summer, 2018 Roussanne, 2021 Chardonnay, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Fire Dance Meritage, 2018 Midnight Black Syrah
Master Red Only: 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Merlot, 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir, 2018 Sunset Sangiovese, 2018 Phinny Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Midnight Black Syrah
TENDER SUMMER, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Riesling (69%), Chardonnay (27%), Sauvignon Blanc (4%)
Vineyard: Various Oliver vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 10.77 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 85
Appearance: Bright straw colour.
Nose: Honey, citrus nose of lime and grapefruit with a kiss of oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, green apple and grapefruit flavours. Long in the mouth with a racy citrus finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Prosciutto, melon, and mozzarella skewers, cheesy crostini with almonds and bacon, and cheese crostini, tabbouleh, grilled scallops with orange zest quinoa, and grilled chicken and brie calzone.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Red Willow, Phinny Hill, and Painted Hills Vineyards
Alcohol: 15.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.24 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 205
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, blackcurrant nose with evident oak.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, well-extracted black fruit flavours with balancing acidity. Ripe tannins give the wine structure and ageability.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now, but will become better integrated in the bottle with another year and can hold through 2026.
Food Pairing: Flank steak with chimichurri, smoked gouda and bacon burger with barbecue sauce, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs and spaghetti, vegan enchiladas, and beef tenderloin with blackberry dressing.
ROUSSANNE, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietal: Roussanne
Vineyard: Lawrence and Sagemoor Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 2.14 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250
Appearance: Light golden colour.
Nose: Slightly reductive, toasty, apple bouquet with a top note of jasmine.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, honeyed melon and pink grapefruit flavours and a touch of nuttiness on the finish. Lovely mouth-feel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Food Pairing: Crab chowder with avocado, roasted chicken with crispy sage and lemon, Japanese beef curry, tilapia with corn salsa, and camembert and mushroom quesadillas.
FIRE DANCE MERITAGE, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Merlot (56%), Cabernet Franc (31%), Malbec (13%)
Vineyard: Sonoran, Red Brick, and Stevens Vineyards
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2.09 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 280
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, black plum and currant nose with oak spice and a floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, richly extracted blackcurrant, black fruits and tobacco leaf flavours. Beautifully balanced.
Quality: 90 – 93 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be enjoyed now, but will reward cellaring for 1–2 years.
Food Pairing: Pancetta-wrapped pork roast, smoked chipotle chicken sandwich, butternut squash and black bean chili, Chinese-style crispy duck pancakes, and sweet and spicy ginger garlic tofu.
CHARDONNAY, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Buta's Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.53 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 110
Appearance: Bright straw in colour.
Nose: Toasty, cashew nut and apple nose with a hint of vanilla oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, spicy, apple and green peach flavours. Beautifully balanced with well-integrated oak. An elegant wine with great energy. Perfect food wine.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold through 2024.
Food Pairing: Lobster BLT on potato rolls, baked chicken breast with tarragon, hazelnut-crusted pork chop, steak béarnaise, and penne with a creamy avocado sauce.
MIDNIGHT BLACK SYRAH, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Lawrence and Stoneridge Vineyards
Alcohol: 15.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.76 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 310
Appearance: Deep purple ruby in colour.
Nose: Smoky, toasty blackberry/blackcurrant nose with oak spice and herbal notes.
Palate: Full-bodied, richly extracted, savoury, blackberry, black licorice flavours. Beautifully balanced and firmly structured with ripe tannins. Great length.
Quality: 91 – 93 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be consumed now, but will reward cellaring for a couple of years.
Food Pairing: Lamb kebabs with mint sauce, spare ribs with plum dipping sauce, smoked seitan steak, Shepherd’s pie, and seared tuna with soy and red chilis.
MERLOT, 2021
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Sonoran Vineyard
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2.44 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 220
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Vivid aromas of violets, red cherry, raspberry, plum, menthol, white pepper, and an earthy vegetal note with a touch of smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Flavours of cherry, dark raspberry, plum, earth, baking spice, and a hint of black pepper. Well-balanced with powdery tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Enjoy now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Spice-rubbed leg of lamb, coq au vin, beef teriyaki, chicken and mushroom risotto, and gruyère and raspberry jam grilled cheese.
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