Last Thursday evening I went to ‘Oregon Takes Vancouver’ at the Stanley Park Pavilion and enjoyed tasting over 20 different wines from the Willamette Valley to prepare for a trip we’re planning.

I spoke with the winemaker at the Stanley Park event and even he was excited that I had this bottle tucked away. We purchased it months ago when I was reading about US wines for a WSET 3 class.

The Cuvée Giselle, named for their daughter, is clear with a pale garnet core and light ruby rim, moderate and even legs.  On the nose, it has a medium intensity with developing aromas of ripe Bing cherries, strawberries and raspberries, west coast cedar and spicy vanilla.

The palate is dry with medium acidity and hardly noticeable dusty, silky tannins.  There’s medium plus alcohol and body and this wine is bursting with flavours of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry, evolving into cedar fronds, wild mushrooms, a savory sweet bacon and a herbaceous mint.

The wild rice and roasted vegetables complimented the nutty and savory aspects of the wine beautifully.  With its long finish, this wine is WSET Outstanding.  Full, even, integrated, and brimming with cherries, cedar and spice. We couldn’t get enough of it.  Neither jammy nor overdone – it was a beautiful thing.

A premium wine at C$95, we opened this at 6 years old.  Drinking well now; not intended for any additional aging.  This went beautifully with a classic west coast meal – roasted salmon, wild rice and barbecued vegetables.