Tasting Note – I tasted this new vintage at the National Wine Awards of Canada, where it earned a Silver Medal. I am at Gold. It is made from estate fruit grown in both the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys, thus the broad B.C. appellation only. Whereas many B.C. pinot gris strive for freshness, this chases richness and elegance, without being too heavy. It is a beautiful Alsatian-inspired edition flirting with sweetness, but impeccably balanced with moderate 13.5% abv. The nose shows ripe peach/yellow plum, apricot pit, honey and florals. Lovely texture, cohesion and excellent to outstanding length.

Backgrounder – Phantom Creek, which celebrates its 10^th Anniversary this year, is one of the showpiece wineries of the South Okanagan, with great architecture and presence on the famed Black Sage Bench. Fittingly given its location, much of its production is in Bordeaux reds and syrah. But I have always been fascinated by its pinot gris, knowing that it is made in consultation with Olivier Humbrecht of Alsace, a Master of Wine considered one of the best white winemakers in the world. He sees an Alsace resemblance in the high-altitude, rain shadow landscape of the Okanagan, although Black Sage can be too hot. So Phantom Creek has planted whites in the organic Evernden Springs Vineyard in the cooler Similkameen Valley. This 2025 blends fruit from both. It was fermented in large Austrian foudres.

Accolsdes: Silver National Wine Awards 0226