Red Rooster Winery
We were proud to feature Red Rooster Winery in September 2022.
Located high above Okanagan Lake on Naramata Bench Road in the stunning Okanagan Valley, Red Rooster Winery sits among the rolling hills of B.C.’s renowned wine country. Their vineyard is influenced by desert, lakes and mountains. Warm days, cool nights and the mountain’s rain shadow combine to produce truly unique fruit. These diverse microclimates also give them the chance to experiment with new grape varietals and wine styles.
Winemaker Elaine Vickers is the driving force behind the Red Rooster portfolio of wines. Elaine’s wines consistently receive top honours at major wine competitions around the world. Her expertise in the Okanagan Valley and craftsmanship result in premium wines that are bold, balanced, and delectable.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2020 Pinot 3, 2020 Carbonic Merlot Malbec
Enthusiast Red Only: 2020 Carbonic Merlot Malbec, 2020 Pinot Noir
Enthusiast White Only: 2020 Pinot 3, 2021 Viognier
Expert Red & White: 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Carbonic Merlot Malbec, 2020 Pinot Noir
Expert Red Only: 2020 Pinot Noir, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Rare Bird Series Meritage
Expert White Only: 2020 Pinot 3, 2021 Viognier, 2020 Riesling
Master Red & White: 2020 Pinot 3, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Riesling, 2020 Pinot Noir, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Rare Bird Series Meritage
Master Red Only: 2020 Carbonic Merlot Malbec, 2020 Pinot Noir, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Rare Bird Series Meritage, 2018 Rare Bird Series Merlot, 2018 Rare Bird Series Syrah
Tasting Notes
PINOT 3, 2020
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Pinot Blanc (34%), Pinot Gris (33%), Pinot Noir (33%)
Vineyard: Hidden Terrace, Hollenbach, and Anderson vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 5.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 613
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Minerally, apple, and starfruit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, lovely mouth-feel. Fresh and lively on the palate ending on a saline note.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now and through 2024.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Pan-fried cod with lemon and butter, fresh vegan spring rolls with peanut sauce, spicy buffalo-sauced turkey wraps, California sushi rolls, and baked queso chicken with taco seasoning.
CARBONIC MERLOT MALBEC, 2020
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Merlot (60%), Malbec (40%)
Vineyard: Liebel and Paydirt vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 584
Appearance: Purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, lightly floral, blackberry, vanilla nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, dark chocolate and plum flavours with dusty tannins, firmly structured.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Needs time.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Venison marsala, honey garlic pork chops, ratatouille with cauliflower rice, Tuscan bean stew with garlic and oregano, and bell peppers stuffed with wild rice and mushrooms.
VIOGNIER, 2021
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Similkameen Valley
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Tainted Toes Vineyard, Similkameen Valley
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 0.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250
Appearance: Light straw colour.
Nose: Honeysuckle, peach bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, white peach flavour. Beautifully balanced and pure. Long finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Grilled lobster tails with lime and coriander butter, smoked duck and grilled peach salad, chicken and brie grilled cheese with spicy ketchup, pan-seared pork tenderloin with honey-garlic sauce, and mild curry tofu with jasmine rice.
PINOT NOIR, 2020
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Road 5 and Anderson vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,500
Appearance: Medium ruby colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, cherry and raspberry bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Richly extracted red berry and red plum flavours with well-integrated oak. Ripe tannins evident, give the wine structure.
Quality: Very Good+. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Manchego arugula bresaola hand rolls, duck stir fry with ginger and greens, pappardelle with wild mushrooms, traditional osso buco, and margherita pizza.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Hidden Terrace and Desert Wolf vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 2,275
Appearance: Bright, pale straw in colour.
Nose: Fresh, grapefruit with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, grapefruit and green plum flavours. Lovely mouth-feel and a long, lingering lemony finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Creamy tuna pasta bake, Cajun chicken and kale salad with brown sugar and mustard dressing, chickpea wraps with roasted red peppers and avocado, herb and butter-baked oysters, and goat cheese crostini with honey, pecans, and thyme.
RARE BIRD SERIES MERITAGE, 2018
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (41%), Cabernet Franc (26%), Merlot (18%), Petit Verdot (11%), Malbec (4%)
Vineyard: Various Okanagan Valley vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 425
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blackcurrant, and plum nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced, sweet blackcurrant and plum flavours with lively acidity and firm tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward holding for a year or two.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Jalapeño chicken burgers, gorgonzola and grape bruschetta with honey drizzle, spiced duck confit with orange dressing, smoked brisket tacos, and fusilli with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
RIESLING, 2020
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Hidden Terrace Vineyard
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 850
Appearance: Clear. Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Peach, tropical fruit, red apple, lime.
Palate: Medium acid, light body. Crisp red apple, tropical fruit, tangerine, citrus zest. Touch of minerality.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Spicy pineapple prosciutto tarts, vinaigrette salad with almonds and tangerines, chicken and bacon stir fry with hot peppers, cheese and vegetable quinoa bites with ranch dip, and sweet potato and black bean enchiladas.
CABERNET MERLOT, 2020
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (39.5%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34.6%), Merlot (25.9%)
Vineyard: Various South Okanagan and Similkameen valley vineyards
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 1.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 5,831
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby red colour.
Nose: Plum, blackberry, dark cherry, violets, smoke, hints of green pepper, vanilla, and black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Plum, raspberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, green pepper, dark chocolate, savoury green herbs, hints of vanilla and black pepper.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding. Decant well and enjoy now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Food Pairing: Fried tofu with balsamic reduction, slow cooker pot roast with carrots and potatoes, flame-grilled steak with sautéed mushrooms and onions, assorted rich charcuterie, and cheese-stuffed dates wrapped with bacon.
RARE BIRD SERIES SYRAH, 2018
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietals: Syrah (97%), Viognier (3%)
Vineyard: Hidden Terrace, Fools Gold, Osprey Ridge, and Vanessa vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 675
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby-garnet colour.
Nose: Dark plum, cassis, violets, smoke, black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Black plum, blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice, touch of black pepper.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding. Decant and enjoy now or hold 2 – 3 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Three-bean vegetarian chilli, lamb curry slow-cooked with rice and raisins, garlic-braised short ribs with red wine sauce, sheet pan chicken with roasted beets and carrots, and pepper steak stir fry.
RARE BIRD SERIES MERLOT, 2018
Red Rooster Winery, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Various Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 425
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Garnet colour.
Nose: Dark cherry, blackberry, smoke, leather, savoury green herbal note.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, green pepper, vanilla, smoke, hint of black pepper. Savoury green herbs on the finish. Well balanced with velvety tannins.
Quality: 91 points. Outstanding.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Indian butter chicken, sweet and salty grilled steak with cucumber salad, pulled pork ravioli with rosé sauce, vegetable lasagna, and sticky five-spice and plum Cornish hen with pear slaw.