Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation.

Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003.

I tasted this wine in June 2013 at their property on the Naramata Bench, high on the west-facing shores of Okanagan Lake and purchased it along with 3 other Foxtrot and Wapiti Cellers wines.

The Foxtrot Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir has deep legs and is a medium shade of ruby with a developing nose showing deep aromas of crushed dry herbs, cedar and field berry with minerals.  There is a distinct aroma of sage and tumbleweed – yes, this wine reminds me of the links in Arizona.

The palate is dry and has high acidity with velvety tannins and medium plus intense flavours of thyme, sage and dried herbs with berry, black cherry, cedar frond and crunchy-underfoot leaves.  The finish lingers.

I managed to resist cracking the first of these treasures for well over a year, but a pre-Christmas celebration with all four offspring called for something special to complement the ham and roasted veggies with rosemary and olive oil potatoes.

A WSET Outstanding wine; complex and nuanced.  Evidence that excellence does exist in the Okanagan; no under ripe berries were used during the making of this wine.  Drinking beautifully now or lay down for 7-10 more.