Tag Archives: Church & State

Church & State, Cabernet Franc, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2010, 14.7% abv.

I had to double check the label!  On the first glass, I thought I was drinking a svelte Syrah from BC’s Okanagan Valley.  Nope – Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in colour, this wine offers classic Cab Franc aromas of pine … Continue reading

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Church & State, Coyote Bowl Series, Malbec, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2011, 14.5% abv.

Purchased in September 2014 at the winery, we opened this on Saltspring Island with charcuterie and BBQ’d sausages in summer 2015. Opaque purple and very young with intense aromas of ripe, purple plum, black cherry, burnished leather and fresh pine, … Continue reading

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Church & State, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, 2012, 13.8% abv, C$27

This wine was awarded silver in the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and it won a gold star at a pre-Christmas dinner this past weekend with the in-laws. So complimentary with roast turkey, the wine is a medium shade of gold … Continue reading

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Church & State, Chardonnay, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, 2010, 14.3% abv, C$25

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 … Continue reading

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Church & State, Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, 2012, 13.2% abv

Viognier – Fifty years ago, there were only 14 ha of this white grape planted in Condrieu AC and at tiny Chateau Grillet in the Northern Rhone’s Cote Rotie.  However, now it’s literally planted everywhere in the world. It’s either a … Continue reading

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Church & State, Hollenbach Family Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009, 13.9% abv, C$26

There’s BC salmon on the dinner menu, so we need a Pinot Noir. Fully 100% Pinot, this wine won silver medals for 2011 at both the Canadian Wine Championships and the London, UK International Wine and Spirit Competition.  The year … Continue reading

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Church & State, Syrah, Coyote Bowl, Okanagan Valley, BC, 2009

There was something inspirational about tasting this wine at the outdoor bar at Church & State’s Oliver operation – but when we opened it at Whistler, it was spectacular. Deep ruby and savoury, there was significant spice and red fruit in addition to layers … Continue reading

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