Even in its home country of Italy this north-eastern Italian grape is not exactly huge. But almost like a grape refugee Stag’s Hollow Winery in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia has given it safe haven where it can and does flourish. A gutsy move wouldn’t you say? The late Jim Clendenen (1953-2021) of Au Bon Climat Winery in California once said that California should have planted Teroldego instead of Merlot. Did Paul Giamatti have it right in the film “Sideways” when he said to his pal Thomas Hayden Church he’s not drinking any fucking Merlot!
What about the 2020 Teroldego from Stag’s Hollow Winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Falls? It was made from grapes grown at the Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard.
Aroma: Jam packed with black fruit particularly blackberry. Stag’s Hollow can always be counted on to make stellar if not stunning full bodied red wines. Just a hint of lavender.
Palate: Black fruit raises a victory flag in the palate with a nod to the mighty blueberry. The tannins are calm. The acidity discrete. The length is moderate. It reminds me of some Azorean red wine from Pico Island made from the Isabella grape due to its smoothness.
Personality: I am a bit schizophrenic in that I have a very unique and unusual character melding the power of my fruit to both elegance of a vitis vinifera and utilitarianism of a vitis labrusca.
Food Match: While a great sipping wine this would be a killer with an Azorean fish stew. Or as Thanksgiving will be upon us soon in Canada with roast turkey with cranberry sauce. The winery suggests classic Italian pasta dishes featuring rich tomato sauces or Middle Eastern spiced grilled meats and vegetables. I’d agree with that!
Cellarbility: This wine is drinking beautifully now and consume by the end 2025.
Price: $35 (British Columbia). Available for sale on Stag’s Hollow website, at the winery and in various stores and restaurants in British Columbia. Only 96 cases produced!
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100.
The grapes were destemmed prior to the crush thereby reducing the tannic impact of the wine. Fermentation was in both oak (one 2nd fill and one neutral barrel) and stainless steel.
(Stag’s Hollow 2020 Teroldego, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia VQA, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 12.5%).
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