Analysis: Alcohol: 13.9% | PH: 3.72 | Titratable acidity: 6.41 g/L
Bottling Date: December 2016
Cellaring: 3+ years
Tasting Notes:
The 2015 Calliope Figure 8 Red is a fresh, fruit driven blend with intense aromas of damson plum, blueberry, black cherry, cassis and raspberry with complexity added by notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and a hint of dried sage. The palate is medium bodied, juicy and fresh with plum, red cherry and red currant fruit and a little clove and pepper spice on the finish. Try this with a thin crust Margherita pizza or homemade lasagna. – Rhys Pender, Master of Wine
Wine Making:
The 2015 growing season was exceptionally long and hot. It started in April followed by unusual heat in June producing small, concentrated berries. The summer months allowed for even ripening followed by one of the South Okanagan’s “legendary” dry autumns. Warm days promoted the ripening process with cool nights to balance the ripeness with acidity.
All the grapes for this blend were hand-picked from vineyards in Osoyoos and Oliver in October and November. They were hand sorted then gently crushed before being dropped into tanks for alcoholic fermentation. Various yeasts were chosen for their ability to reveal the rich fruity flavours of each grape variety. At completion of fermentation, the wine was transferred separately into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation to occur. It was then racked and barreled down for ageing in a majority of 3-year-old oak barrels of French origin, lending very small amounts of woodsy and toasty flavours.
After 12 months, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon were blended and filtered before bottling.
