RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah from Beautiful British Columbia: An Affordable Canadian Côte-Rôtie????

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inFood, WineTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

The standard slogan, now gradually disappearing, on British Columbia license plates was “Beautiful British Columbia”. What is not disappearing on the shelves of state monopoly liquor distributor in the province of Ontario (LCBO) are the wines of British Columbia because there were so few of them anyways so not much to disappear. As American wines and spirits are no longer on LCBO shelves British Columbia wines replaced them, right? Right?

Given Trump sabre rattling (and that sword is rapidly rusting) should LCBO shelves be a bit more patriotic and give British Columbia wines some presence? Yes, based on the wines from British Columbia’s Okanagan appellation and that includes Stag’s Hollow wines.

92% Syrah and 8% Viognier. Are we talking about a Canadian version of a Côte-Rôtie from France which I recall to my horror I have a 2005 of such I paid $57 for in 2007 and noted in my cellar I should drink no later than 2012? Côte-Rôtie Syrah’s are enormously expensive and like this Stag’s Hollow Syrah have a tad of the white grape Viognier in the mix!

Why not give a try to Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah?

Aroma: Rich and heady blackberry is chairman of the board here. Ultra ripe black raspberry, black cherry, cassis and a delightful waft of roast marshmallows. Could the latter be result of Okanagan wildfires in 2022? Note I did not say “smoky”.

Palate: Smooth. Rich. Full bodied. Slight Kampot pepper influence. Just the right amount of acidity to discipline the rich black fruit. A whisper of coal, graphite and cocoa on the long spicy finish.

Personality: I am assertive, yet moderate tannins remove any label of a big bruiser. Consider me warm and embracing. I am built for food, a main.

Food Match: Absolutely no doubt about a match with Cambodian Beef Lok Lak.

Cellarbility: Consume by 2027-year end.

Price: $39 CDN (winery price). For shipping details contact www.stagshollowwinery.com

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 94/100. Wine Align 94.

(Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah, VQA Okanagan Valley, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 13%).

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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