Tasting Note: Now reaching into prime time flavourwise, but structured to age, this a complex, powerful but balanced pinot from the top of CedarCreek’s range. It pours fairly deep colour for Canadian pinot with classic early-prime ruby garnet colour. The nose is nicely generous with ripe red cherry, raspberry, red plum, heady deep almost rose-violet florals, with cinnamon/nutmeg spice, toast, subtle charcoal and forest floor. All the expected expressions of ripe pinot noir! It is medium-full bodied in the pinot realm with warming, judicious 13.5% alcohol, with juicy acidity. Texture is very fine, almost satiny across the mid-palate.  Tannins remain firm but not hard, signaling a bit more time required (2028 through 2035). The focused finish is very tidy. The length is excellent to outstanding.

Backgrounder – CedarCreek was one of the founding properties in the Kelowna area, with west facing, evening sun catching vineyards in what is now the South Kelowna Slopes appellation. The site features complex soils composed of glacial till, silt, and clay. It was planted primarily to chardonnay, pinot noir and riesling by the Fitzpatrick family after purchasing the property in 1986, then in 2014 it was acquired by Anthony Von Mandl, with winery updated and vineyards converted to organic viticulture. The centre piece has always been the Home Block that is the source of Aspect.  Three sub-blocks within the Home Block were used in this vintage.  It was an excellent warm, long vintage that extended into October, enabling almost perfect ripeness. The fruit was hand harvested, wild fermented in concrete tanks, then aged 13 months in French oak barrels.