Last Thursday afternoon, I attended Painted Rock Estate Winery’s release of the reds preview at Vancouver’s Gotham Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar.
Gotham’s warm, sophisticated interior provided the perfect backdrop for John Skinner to introduce his portfolio of four reds, in addition to a 2010 Chardonnay priced at $30/bottle, for white wine lovers.
[John Skinner of Painted Rock Estate Winery]
Painted Rock’s Okanagan winery is located in Penticton, BC, overlooking Skaha Lake’s eastern shore. The 60 acre property is blessed with a microclimate particularly suited to premium wine production.
The Red Icon (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, petit Verdot and Syrah) is priced at $55/bottle. It’s a hearty, classic tasting blend that’s recently won a Canadian Wine award Gold medal. Dark cocoa and espresso marry with blackberry, prune, currant and olives for an appeal that would work well with a warm winter meal of game or stew.
Speaking of awards, word has it that a certain red has just won another Canadian wine award; an official announcement is yet to come.
[Painted Rock Estate Winery’s 2010 Chardonnay]
I did sample the Chardonnay (being my favourite white wine varietal, I never resist a glass of Chard), aged four and a half months in French oak. I found it a bit too young for my palate and thought that it may benefit from a few more months in the barrel.
Here’s some of the wine and food that flowed through the room on Thursday afternoon.
[Painted Rock Estate Winery’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon]
Painted Rock Estate Winery is located at 400 Smythe Drive in Penticton, BC, with its head office in West Vancouver. Visit the website for more information.
