2024 Nota Bene
Hiatus Collection
94 Points
John Schreiner
"The wine begins with aromas of black cherry and black currant, with the oak influence expressed as spice. The palate delivers flavours of dark fruits with a hint of blueberry deep in the middle. Ripe tannins add an earthy note to a long, rich finish. This wine stands as an equal among the iconic Nota Bene wines of the past."
93 Points
Christopher Waters I The Globe and Mail
"The depth of fruit and vibrant character show different personality than usual, but it's an intriguing powerful and plush red wine that marks an unusual chapter in the history of Okanagan winemaking."
Tasting Notes
The 2024 Hiatus Collection Nota Bene opens with a quiet confidence of Merlot at its core, softened and shaped by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. There’s an immediacy to the fruit - black cherry, wild blackberry, all carried on a gentle lift of florals and dried herbs. As it unfolds, something more grounded emerges. The influence of the Rocks District begins to show itself in subtle, savoury layers - crushed stone, a faint earthiness, a touch of umami. What lingers is not just flavour, but a sense of place; Walla Walla in its breadth and nuance, interpreted through its making in the Okanagan Valley. The result is a wine that feels both composed and alive, where craftsmanship and origin meet without either one overshadowing the other.
Vintage Notes
Preceding the harsh winter of 2024 in the Okanagan Valley, we sourced fruit from the The Rocks District and the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. A cooler-than-average spring slowed early vine development across much of the region. As the season advanced into late August and September, cooler night time temperatures introduced the diurnal shift needed for flavour development and the retention of natural acidity. Fortunately, fall frosts held off until November, giving the fruit exceptional hang time in the lower-lying vineyard blocks. These favourable late-season conditions, combined with attentive vineyard management, culminated in a successful and balanced harvest.
Wine Facts
Acid: 5.0
Alcohol: 13.7%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Fermentation: 18 months in French oak barriques and puncheons - 44% new oak
Ph: 3.9
Residual Sugar: 0.2
Vineyard Designation: The Rocks District and Walla Walla Valley
Blend: 43% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc