Osoyoos Larose

Osoyoos Larose is the Okanagan wine industry’s ultimate technology transfer, the result of a joint venture set up a decade ago between Vincor Canada and Bordeaux’s Groupe Taillan. The French company’s stable of distinguished properties include Château Gruaud Larose. The 80-acre Okanagan vineyard behind this wine is near the community of Osoyoos. Hence, a winery name that sounds like an entertainer in gold rush San Francisco.

But this is a very serious and important Okanagan red. In a conscious knowledge grab, Vincor let its French partners pick the vineyard property and direct the planting (entirely to the five main Bordeaux reds). French consultants were around to launch the venture and a winemaker from Bordeaux, Pascal Madevon, was settled in the Okanagan to make the wine. From the first vintage in 2001, Madevon has been in continual awe of the unexpected quality of Okanagan fruit.

While most of the Okanagan’s red blends have a Merlot backbone, none are quite so Bordelaise as Le Grand Vin. Even with its ripe tannins, this wine is firm and built for some serious cellaring. Dark in colour, it begins with aromas of vanilla, red berries and chocolate but also with that note of cigar box that Bordeaux collectors look for. The fruit is densely concentrated, with a sweet core wrapped inside the mineral notes. Decanting brings out the wine’s inherent richness, with a promise of more elegance and power with age. Some 10,479 cases have been released. 88-91 points.

Reviewed December 7, 2007 by John Schreiner.