2008 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir

Awards

Silver Medal - Pacific Rim Wine Competition 2011(San Bernardino, CA)
Bronze Medal – San Francisco Wine Competition 2011 (San Francisco, CA)
Bronze Medal – International Wine and Spirits Competition 2011 (Surrey, UK)
Bronze Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 (London, UK)
Bronze Medal - InterVin Wine Awards 2011, (Ontario)
Bronze Medal – Okanagan Fall Wine Festival Awards 2010 (British Columbia)

Accolades

93 points – Natalie MacLean (April 2011)
“What depth, length and intensity: wow! This is Pinot Plus… the plus is hard to describe, but you know when you taste it. Tempestuous black cherries and dark spices mingle with your senses. There’s a meaty note in the middle that makes this a robust Pinot, but nonetheless balanced and satin-smooth. Food matches: grilled or planked salmon, pork, roast chicken or turkey, duck breast, heirloom beets, mushroom risotto.”

93 points – John Schreiner (November 2010)
“This seductive charmer of a wine invites with a spectacular aroma of red fruits. On the palate, there are layers of flavours – cherry and strawberry and spice from both the fruit and the French oak. The wine has good weight and a silky palate. The bottle, which shows great elegance and finesse, is a winegrowing triumph.”

92 points – Daenna Van Mulligen (April 2011)
“This is an impressive vintage for the Family Reserve – gobs of blueberry and raspberry aromas, crushed flowers and plenty of pepper with sweet spices, cedar and some wild herbs. The palate is fresh and silky – juicy berry and cherry flavours are woven with earth, smoky spices and beet green flavours. The finish is long and smooth, lingering with toasted spice and cocoa.”

91 points – James Suckling (February 2011)
“Wonderful aromas of ripe strawberries, with hints of flowers, berries, and lemon grass.Full bodied, with round tannins and a fruity finish. Bright acidity at the end. Drink or hold.”

90 points – Rhys Pender (June 2011)
“Good intensity on the nose, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, plum, game meat and clove-studded orange. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with a silky texture, bright red fruits, clove, cinammon, pepper and a juicy meatiness that lingers on a long, mineral finish. Still young, this has the intensity and structure to develop well with another 5 to 10 years in bottle.”

4 stars – Vines (January/February 2011)
“The top-of-the-line Pinot Noir from Quails’ Gate comes from the winery’s Mount Boucherie estate vineyard. A complex, varietally correct nose offers interesting red fruit, smoky oak and spice components, which carry over to the palate. The lusciou, mouthfilling flavour profile has an attractive herbal and cocoa note, with acid and tannins in fine balance.”