By Roslyne Buchanan
With its inaugural release of 2017 Meritage Proprietor’s Reserve, Oliver Twist Estate Winery presents a rich and sensuous premium Meritage that achieved gold at the Savor Northwest Wine Awards.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec: A Winning Combination
“All our Cabernet Sauvignon is from my father’s vineyards on the Osoyoos East Bench, right on the US border – as far south as possible,” says owner/winemaker Gina Fernandes Harfman.
Established in 1999, this vineyard’s southeastern exposure and Osoyoos Lake’s moderating effect allow for maximum ripeness.
The Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the majority of the Meritage’s voluptuous, complex blend, along with Merlot and Malbec. It is aged 12 months in French and American oak barriques, then allowed an 18-month beauty sleep in the bottle before a release of only 268 cases. Enjoy from 2020 to 2029.
Ripe blackberry, raspberry, blackcurrant and cherry mingle with toasty cedar, nutmeg, cardamom and light lilac/violet florals, with savoury, earthy notes of coffee, cocoa, sage and dry tobacco leaf. Serve with grilled T-bone steak and crisp, butter-fried mushrooms, braised short ribs with savoury risotto, spiced beef tenderloin or eggplant parmesan.
Wonderful Whites
Every vintage brings out different characters in Oliver Twist’s wines, and 2019 is shaping up to be a great release for whites. It’s a small vintage in crop volume, so stock up early before whites sell out in the summer.
“We’re excited to share our 2019 white wines,” says Harfman. “The Viognier has so much peach, pineapple and blood orange, the Chardonnay has a lot of apple and citrus character, and the Kerner is like a fresh slice of key lime pie!”
For best access to releases and special wines, join the Twist Club where you control your wine selection at olivertwistwinery.com/twist-club.
“I’m always thinking of exciting new wines to make exclusively for Twist Club members,” says Harfman. “I have a few surprises up my sleeve in 2020!”
With new distancing procedures, Oliver Twist is open daily for tastings, indoor and outdoor, from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Crave Creative Food Truck joins the Oliver Twist team for summer 2020. Come for the wine, stay for lunch!