Kelowna- based Tantalus Vineyards may be a relatively small operation, but when it comes to brand recognition for excellence, this winery is colossal.
Tantalus Vineyards has created award-winning wines from inception. Wines are crafted carefully by winemaker David Paterson who seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to winemaking genres. First achieving benchmark status through his Rieslings, he moved on to Pinot Noir where soon after the awards and accolades began rolling in. David explains, “I think that like our Riesling the reason our Pinot Noir stands out is because of our vineyard site and our unwavering commitment to always express vintage and site above all else. I am very hands-off with Pinot Noir, which often means having the guts to wait out its quirks and not be to reactionary to its highs and lows through the elevage process.”
Decanter Magazine agrees, nominating Tantalus Pinot Noir in their recent ‘World’s Best Pinot Noir’ feature story.
2 ½ years ago David began his love affair with Blanc de Noir, and it is now ready for release! The sparkling wine program at Tantalus Vineyards has already achieved cult status with their Old Vines Riesling Natural Brut, and so the bar moves again….
2013 Tantalus Blanc de Noir $27.74
A magnificent pale rose petal pink in colour, the wine pours with a wonderfully persistent bead and mouth-filling mousse. Aromas of sun-baked red apple, fresh oysters, orchard blossom and cherry almond biscotti lift out of the glass. The palate has a voluptuous mouthfeel with raspberry, refreshing gooseberry and lush mandarin topped off with a pink grapefruit flesh finish that carries on and on.
~ Jennifer Schell