Tasting Note This is a merlot-dominated blend of Bordeaux varieties, from younger vines on the east-facing 80-acre site overlooking Osoyoos Lake. It shows a lovely ripe, bright and polished deeply fruited nose of blackberry and violet florals, with cedar and vanilla. California came to mind. But Okanagan sage comes on with aeration. It is full, rounded and glossy, with slightly green tannin, sage and earth emerging on the finish. It is both lively and elegant, with excellent length. It is approachable now with aeration but should drink well for a decade

Backgrounder Osoyoos-Larose is an impressive vineyard first planted as a much-heralded joint venture, engineered by Don Triggs, between Vincor (now Arterra) and Group Taillan of Bordeaux. Taillan, which owns famous chateaux in Bordeaux like second growth Gruaud-Larose, is now sole proprietor, with the founder’s grandson Raphaël Merlaut managing the property. The first vintage of Le Grand Vin was in 2001. In classic Bordeaux protocol, Petales is referred to as the “second” wine of the property, made from younger vines and aged for less time in barrel, between 12 and 16 months. It is not currently showing on the winery website, and there is no retail shop on the property. So, check out wine retailers in B.C and Alberta. The Ontario importer is Select Wines. They need to get their marketing together.