Wine Awards

Wine Press North West: Platinum Competition

Double Platinum

Larch Hills Winery 2015 North Okanagan Siegerrebe, British Columbia• $16 A German scientist crossed Gewürztraminer with Madeleine Angevine and viewed it as such as success that Siegerrebe (pronounced ZEE-gar-RAY-beh) translates to “victory wine” in German. Jack Manser has found the grape to be a real winner at Larch Hills, a vineyard and winery north of the Okanagan Valley town of Vernon. Striking aromatics show off jasmine and citrus fruit. It’s glorious in the mouth with layers of pink grapefruit, ginger snaps, fresh pineapple, Ginger Gold apples, hints of slate, juicy apricots and fresh chopped lemongrass. Perfectly balanced with brilliant acidity, there’s a fragrant note of gardenia on the vitalizing finish. (663 cases, 11.6% alc.) Award: Savor NW (gold).

Platinum | Best Buy!

Larch Hills Winery 2016 North Okanagan Lemberger, British Columbia • $15 Owner/winemaker Jack Manser makes his wine in Salmon Arm, but he sources his Lemberger to the south at Knorr Vineyard in Kelowna. The work with stainless steel fermentation makes for a wildly aromatic red, and this gem begs you into the glass. Bing cherry, a twist of multi-colored peppercorns, thyme, black raspberry and a splash of Dr Pepper entwine gracefully. The involvement of oak is skillfully managed and sits perfectly in the background, making for a well-balanced example of Blaufränkisch with good depth through the succulent finish. (350 cases, 13.2% alc.) Award: Savor NW Wine Awards (gold).

Platinum | Best Buy!

Larch Hills Winery 2016 North Okanagan Tamarack Rosé, British Columbia $14 Jack Manser’s winemaking produced a trio of Platinums in 2018. His rosé is a blend of Lemberger from Knorr Vineyard in the Okanagan Valley with the aromatic white variety Ortega (80%) he grows at his winery north of Vernon. Its delightful color is an indicator of its off-dry approach, hinting at raspberry and cherry with its nose. Inside, the focus turns to citrus fruit flavors of Ruby Red grapefruit and Mandarin orange. The tannin structure and raspberry acidity will allow it to stand up to a savory meal. (342 cases, 12.6% alc.) Award: Savor NW Wine Awards (gold).