2023 Nota Bene
Okanagan Valley
The 25th Vintage of an icon.
94 points
John Schreiner
The blend is 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc. The wine was fermented in French oak puncheons with wild yeast and was aged 18 months in French oak barriques and puncheons (41% new). The wine begins with aromas of dark cherry, plum, red currants, chocolate and spice. The palate echoes the aromas with an added note of sage. Long ripe tannins give the wine a long finish.
Tasting Notes
The nose is brimming with a complex melange of black cherry, savoury red currant, and elderberry. An equally compelling layer of dried herbs, sagebrush and sweet mint frames the fruit - an inherent trait we have come to expect from our fruit grown on the Black Sage Bench. The palate is fresh, with subtle notes of oak that support the complexity of the fruit which indicates our intent for longevity in this 25th vintage release of our Nota Bene.
Vintage Notes
Preceding the 2023 growing season, the Okanagan experienced a harsh cold snap that reduced yields by an average of 35%. The growing season then started slowly due to below-average temperatures extending into April, delaying bud break until early to mid-May. The pace of the season quickly accelerated in May, the warmest in the last 25 years, allowing shoot growth and flowering to catch up to seasonal averages. The unusually warm temperatures persisted into June before returning to more typical weather conditions into July and August. The combination of record-setting warmth and an exceptionally small crop gave us wines that are rich and powerful, showcasing opulent fruit ripeness that is seamlessly balanced by excellent freshness – a testament to our meticulous vineyard management and precise, early picking decisions.
Wine Facts
Acid: 5.6
Alcohol: 14%
Fermentation: Fermented with wild yeasts in French oak puncheons
Ph: 3.9
Residual Sugar: 0.3
Blend: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc