Tasting Note – This is one of the biggest, sturdiest Canadian syrahs I have ever tasted. It will have its fans and is well made within its architectural largesse, but it is clearly not for current drinking (although curious dabbling allowed). It pours deep almost opaque purple black. It’s a classic, tough northern Rhone style. The nose is very ripe black cherry puree/prune, violet, chocolate, smoked meat and pepper. It is full bodied, dense and rich with it’s 14.5% alcohol well moderated by the rich fruit. There is also some welcome mid-palate finesse. The tannins are very firm and gruff. The length is excellent. It certainly needs time, but is poised for a long run. Best 2030 to 2040.  Tasted July 2026

Backgrounder – Since being founded by John and Tish Skinner of Vancouver in 2004, Painted Rock has focused in big, age-worthy and collector reds from its remarkable west-facing, sloping site above Skaha Lake south of Penticton. The main focus is on Bordeaux varieties, but syrah has always offered a degree of grace.  The 2023 vintage was hot and dry in the Okanagan, with an early harvest.  The grapes were handpicked from two estate blocks starting on October 4, 2023. This was aged for 18 months in 30% new oak. Of that new oak, 80% was French and 20% was American. The remaining 70% was aged in second-fill French oak.

Accolades:  Silver National Wine Awards of Canada 2026