Tasting Note: At this point this is a bit reserved, and I believe it will open in time. I was surprised by its depth of colour and overall ripeness from this cool sub-region, which is a vintage result. Digging deeper I really like the complex red and black berry character (perhaps from multiple clones), the subtle evergreen needle, forest floor and minerality that invoke the hillside site in the Garnet Valley. It is light to medium bodied, a bit fleshy and lower in acid than expected. Alcohol and slightly gravelly tannin are well balanced. The flavour focus and depth are excellent. Let this age a year or three.

Backgrounder: The steep sloped Garnet Valley site comprised of glacial sand, gravel, rock and loam was planted by Bob and Andrea Sartor, and son Matt in 2016, to seven clones of pinot noir. At almost 600m elevation, it is one of the highest in B.C. The winemaker is Alison Moyes, a Brock CCOVI graduate who has worked in several Niagara and B.C. wineries, coming to Solvero after six years at Liquidity. Expansion of production and visitor facilities are underway. This was aged 12 months in 30% new French oak.