Gray Monk Estate Winery | 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
A true expression of BC wine. Built upon tradition and generations of commitment, Gray Monk stands proudly overlooking Okanagan Lake, with stunning panoramic views of mountains and vineyards, it offers a true taste of Okanagan living. They offer one-of-a-kind, award-winning BC VQA wines - including their number one selling Pinot Gris.
Gray Monk was established in 1972 by George and Trudy Heiss. Today, they have over fifty acres of lush vineyards overlooking Lake Okanagan, which produce some of the world's finest wines.
Wines included this month
March 2022
PINOT GRIS, 2020
ODYSSEY MERLOT, 2018
ODYSSEY TRADITIONAL BRUT, 2018
MONK'S BLEND, 2020
ROSÉ, 2020
ODYSSEY CABERNET FRANC, 2018
PINOT GRIS, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Estate vineyard and various Okanagan Valley growers
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 9.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 28,208
Appearance: Pink-gold colour.
Nose: Minerally, peach pit nose with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted white peach flavor. Well balanced, lovely mouth feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2022.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Awards:
Silver - 2021 SIP Magazine Best of the Northwest, USA
Food Pairing: Grilled black cod with miso sauce, zucchini lemon orzo with feta cheese, foie gras with toast points, seared scallops with jalapeño vinaigrette, and lemon chicken piccata.
ODYSSEY MERLOT, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Various Osoyoos and Oliver vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,477
Appearance: Ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, Bing cherry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, mocha chocolate and plum flavours. Well-structured, with well-integrated oak and pliant tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold a couple of years.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Lamb burger with tzatziki, Tennessee meatloaf with brown sugar glaze, pork loin with red wine reduction, vegetarian Shepherd’s pie, and pan-seared duck breast with blueberry sauce.
ODYSSEY TRADITIONAL BRUT, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Chardonnay (34%), Pinot Meunier (33%), Pinot Noir (33%)
Vineyard: Various Kelowna vineyards
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 7.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 450
Appearance: Pale straw colour. Active mousse of tiny bubbles.
Nose: Apple and pear bouquet with crusty bread notes.
Palate: Light- to medium-bodied, crisply dry, Granny Smith apple flavour with lemony acidity and a hint of almond on the finish. Good length.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2022.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Awards:
Silver - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Chicken and veggie stir fry with teriyaki, mussels with herbs de Provence in white wine sauce, risotto-stuffed mushrooms, mini-quiche Lorraine, and deep-fried turkey with roasted root vegetables.
MONK'S BLEND, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Syrah (73%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%)
Vineyard: Various south Okanagan vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 6,131
Appearance: Dense purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, savoury blackberry nose with a smoky note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, spicy blackberry and dried herb flavours. Firmly structured, finishing on a note of bitter chocolate.
Quality: Outstanding. Can be enjoyed now, but will reward cellaring for a couple of years.
Critic Rating: 91 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Barbecued herb and garlic sausages, veal chops with crimini mushrooms, venison steak with onions and gravy, Mediterranean stuffed eggplant, and hard cheeses.
ROSÉ, 2020
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (35.5%), Merlot (28.8%), Rotberger (12.6%), Gamay Noir (9.1%), Pinot Noir (7.6%), Pinot Meunier (3.8%), Pinot Gris (1.9%), Siegerrebe (0.7%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard and various Lake Country, Oliver, and Osoyoos growers
Alcohol: 12.6%
Residual Sugar: 16.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 4,836
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Pale salmon colour.
Nose: Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, peach, melon, white flowers, hint of cranberry.
Palate: Medium acid, light tannin, medium body. Strawberry, raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit, tangerine. Hint of minerality.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding. Well balanced and refreshing.
Awards:
Gold - 2021 Experience Rosé, USA
Silver - 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships
Bronze - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Smoked prosciutto-wrapped brie, pork chops with roasted garlic, mushroom-stuffed bell peppers, spicy roasted chicken, and grilled peaches with cinnamon mascarpone.
ODYSSEY CABERNET FRANC, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Various Osoyoos and Oliver vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6%
Residual Sugar: 2.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 545
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Spicy, oaky nose of blueberry and blackcurrant.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, juicy flavours of plum and blackcurrant carried on fresh acidity to a pleasing finish of ripe tannins and blackberries.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward a year or two in your cellar.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points - Tony Aspler
Awards:
Silver - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Grilled chicken with chipotle sauce, steak with sautéed onions in garlic butter, flame-grilled green and red peppers, baked asiago cheese dip with baguette, and artisanal dark chocolate.
ODYSSEY WHITE BRUT, 2018
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Chardonnay Musqué (53%), Riesling (30%), Pinot Blanc (17%)
Vineyard: Villa Vista Vineyard, Kelowna; Compact Orchard, Lake Country; Semper Sitiens Vineyard, Lake Country
Alcohol: 11.7%
Residual Sugar: 8.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,330
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw colour. Tiny effervescent bubbles.
Nose: Fresh baked bread, peach, green apple, lemon, hints of tropical fruit.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Green apple, peach, yellow pear, lime zest, toast. Well balanced and refreshing.
Quality: 89 – 90 points. Very Good+ / Outstanding.
Awards:
Silver - 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
Silver - 2021 International Wine & Spirit Competition, UK
Food Pairing: Pan-fried salmon with sautéed mushrooms, lemon chicken, grilled tomatoes with goat cheese, parsley and black pepper, spicy Szechuan pork bites, and baked brie with fruit compote.
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