Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
We were proud to feature Tinhorn Creek in January 2022.
Tinhorn Creek has been part of the South Okanagan since 1993 – growing grapes, making wine, and having a good laugh whenever we can.
Established in 1993, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is located just south of Oliver B.C., in the famed Golden Mile wine-growing district. As the number one winery destination evoking classic south Okanagan terroir, Tinhorn Creek proudly offers estate grown wines, growing grapes on both the Black Sage and Golden Mile benches. As the first winery in Canada to support carbon neutral measures, Tinhorn Creek continues their commitment to land stewardship, conservation and environmentally sustainable practices. Tinhorn Creek offers an unrivaled visitor experience along with wines that rank among the best in the world.
Tasting Notes
OLDFIELD RESERVE CHARDONNAY, 2019
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Tinhorn Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.9%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 495
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, spicy apple nose with a light floral note.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, apple and pear flavours. Rich and full on the palate, with well-integrated oak. Lovely mouth-feel, beautifully balanced and lingering.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2022.
Critic Rating: 92 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Southern-style shrimp and grits, romaine salad with goat cheese and pomegranate, wild salmon with grape tomato and pineapple salsa, herb-crusted chicken with seasonal vegetables, and grilled apple and brie sandwich with arugula salad.
OLDFIELD RESERVE MERLOT, 2018
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Merlot (88%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Cabernet Franc (3%)
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.85 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,624
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blueberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and blueberry flavours. Beautifully balanced, firmly structured, juicy, with evident but ripe tannins on the end taste.
Quality: Outstanding. Hold till mid-2022 and beyond.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Veal parmigiana, prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, chorizo paella, mushroom veggie burger with gorgonzola, and roasted pork loin with rosemary and garlic rub.
CHARDONNAY, 2019
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Tinhorn Creek Vineyard & Hidden Terrace Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,900
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Spicy, apple bouquet with toasty oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, clove, apple and toast flavours with well-integrated oak. Beautifully balanced, great length finishing on a lingering note of oak spice.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2022.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Butternut squash soup, soft-shell crab mac and cheese, hazelnut-crusted pork chops with glazed carrots, fettuccine alfredo, and seafood terrine.
PINOT NOIR, 2020
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard & Tinhorn Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.1%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,600
Appearance: Deep purple-black in colour.
Nose: Cedary, black raspberry nose with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, sour cherry and blackcurrant flavours carried on lively acidity to a grippy finish of ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold for 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 – 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Crab bisque soup, mushroom risotto, seared tuna with polenta, pork tenderloin with roasted brussels sprouts, and charcuterie and cheese boards.
OLDFIELD RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2020
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Tinhorn Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 330
Appearance: Shining, straw colour.
Nose: Lightly floral, spicy nose of grapefruit and green plum with a suggestion of oak.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple flavour with citrus notes. Fresh and lively on the palate. White Bordeaux in style.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Seabass with lemon rice and grilled vegetables, cucumber dill salad with bacon, rosemary chicken with fried zucchini, Greek salad with feta, and pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes.
CABERNET FRANC, 2019
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietals: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard and various growers in Oliver and Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 4,800
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Garnet colour.
Nose: Red cherry, raspberry, hint of green herbs and vanilla.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Red cherry, cassis, green pepper, hints of vanilla, green herbs, and pepper spice.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. Decant well and drink now or hold 2 – 3 years.
Food Pairing: Chili con carne, fried tofu stir fry with hoisin, pulled pork with grilled corn and cabbage slaw, tandoori chicken, and beef lasagne.
GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2020
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard & Hidden Terrace Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.1%
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,911
Appearance: Clear, bright. Very pale straw colour.
Nose: Lychee, tropical fruit, red delicious apple, white flowers, pear.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Tropical fruit, peach, grapefruit, green apple, lime zest. Hint of minerality. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Thai red duck curry, Moroccan chicken stir fry, fish tacos with fruit salsa, white pizza with spinach and herbs, and grilled sausage with sauerkraut.
OLDFIELD RESERVE SYRAH, 2018
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard & Tinhorn Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 762
Appearance: Deep ruby-purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, herbal blackberry nose with white pepper notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, savoury, smoky, tarry, blackberry flavour with herbal notes. Lively acidity and ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink 2022 – 2023.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Peppercorn rib-eye steak with sautéed spinach, barbecued spare ribs, baked ham with scalloped potatoes and roasted asparagus, falafel in pita with tzatziki, and pepperoni pizza.
MERLOT, 2019
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Merlot (92%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), Malbec (2%)
Vineyard: Diamondback Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 8,477
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Ruby colour.
Nose: Dark cherry, plum, violets, green herbs, smoke, and pepper spice. Earthy note.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, blackberry, plum, leather, black tea, licorice. Hint of black pepper. Green vegetal note on finish.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. 89 – 90 points.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Tennessee meatloaf, roasted chicken with thyme and onions, grilled sirloin steak with blue cheese butter, veal chop with portabella mushrooms, and baked eggplant parmesan.
THE CREEK, 2018
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Okanagan Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (2%), Petit Verdot (1%)
Vineyard: Diamondback vineyard
Alcohol: 14.3%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 740
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby-purple core.
Nose: Blackcurrant, green herbs, plum, earth, leather.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium- to full-bodied. Dry. Blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, licorice, green pepper, hint of black pepper on the finish. Well balanced.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points.
Food Pairing: Creamy corn soup with roasted peppers, grilled rib-eye steak with chimichurri and twice-baked potato, lamb tagine with saffron rice, turkey burgers with cheddar, and braised short ribs on a bed of sautéed kale.