Made from a special block of Synchromesh's estate Storm Haven vineyard, this Gewurztraminer may be a surprise to most lovers of this variety when they first taste it.
It offers the expected tropical fruit and stone fruit, but there are obvious oxidized notes of soft yellow apples and the musk of wild honey with hints of lemon grass. The palate comes through with a layered complexity - it has leesy, apple and lemon drop flavours with very good concentration and impressive length.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - September 18th, 2012

Made from fruit of the Storm Haven Vineyards in Okanagan Falls and the SoleTerre Vineyard in Oliver, this red is a blend of Merlot (66%), Cabernet Franc (18%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), which is named for an illustrious corner of the Le Mans raceing circut in France.
It is a fragrant mix of sweet red and black currents, peppery spice and plums, dark mocha and raspberry notes. It's very nicely balanced - it's juicy but retains its structure and focus. The finish is long with fine dry tannins and flavours of spiced cocoa.
Well done!
Pair with grilled meats, hearty stews or spaghetti Bolognese.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - September 18th, 2012

Made from Pinot Noir grown in the Palo Solara Vineyard in Kelowna, this rather grown-up rose was made in the traditional Saignee (bleeding) method in which the free juice runs off the crushed grapes, taking skin colour with it. The result is this pretty rose. It smells like it has some age on it already (although it doesn't) and leads with tart rhubarb, berry and apple notes atop brown spice and smoke. There is a lick of sweetness on the palate; it has nice mid-palate weight and good structure. The finish is long and mouthwatering.
Pair with wild mushroom risotto, salmon, grilled white meats or mild, smoked cheeses and Vij's spicy jackfruit.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 29th, 2012

Haven't heard of Synchromesh?
Well, you'll remember them once you taste this halbtrocken or "half dry" Riesling made from the Storm Haven estate vineyard on McLean Creek Road in Okanagan Falls.
Synchromesh is part of the Alto Wine Group led by Alan Dickinson, a company and winery which caters to small, start-up winemakers/labels who cannot afford to build their own winery but can produce limited small lots of wine in a this custom crush facility.
Wonderful floral and fruity notes - apricots, gala apples and honeysuckle with vibrant citrusy aromas. The palate is tart and sweet - grapefruit peel, apricots, honey and crisp apple flavours are echoed in the mouth. There is lovely balance here - a kiss of sweetness balanced with mouth-watering acidity.
Very good!

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - June 24th, 2011

I love the focused, racy nose on this estate grown Riesling. It leads with lime and marmalade, wild honey, crisp green apples and ginger with spring blossoms. The palate is tangy but it still has a good amount of residual sugar, which is tamed in part by bright acidity. Flavours of apples, candied lemon peel and honey lead to a lip-smacking finish.
A wine for foods with a good dose of spice - curry, Pad Thai, spicy agadashi tofu or holiday glazed ham or turkey.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - September 18th, 2012