Church & State is one of my stalwart Okanagan favourites – due in large part to the fine winemaking abilities of Jeff del Nin.  The other part is heavily influenced (I cannot lie) by the dramatically stunning backdrop provided at their Oliver tasting bar as well as their professional, friendly staff.

Last week I purchased 2 bottles of the 2012 version of this wine from their Oliver location (which won Silver at the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards), but I recently enjoyed this 2010 edition of the same wine last month.

A medium lemon with deep legs, the nose has medium plus aromas of toffee, lemon zest, crushed wet rocks and toasty oak.

The palate is dry with medium plus acidity, medium plus alcohol, medium body and medium plus flavours of white pepper, lemon creme, apricot, toffee, toast and almond.  The finish is medium plus.

It’s balanced and youthful but shows some growing complexity.  This is WSET “Very Good’ wine that is drinking now, but can be kept for a good window of 5-7 years.

Grown on Oliver, BC’s Black Sage Bench in sandy soils and harvested at the end of October, 2010, it was aged in French oak barrels which were 33% new and account for the toasty caramel flavours and aromas.