Tempranillo and Canada are obviously bad bedfellows? You are mistaken. An increasing amount is being found in bottles of red wine from the Canadian province of British Columbia. Three cheers for that!
The Trumpster has referred to Canada as the land of the igloo people. Well for “Eskimos” Trump may have read in his geography classes (if he went to school at all) Canada makes some great grape juice!
The last British Columbian Tempranillo I scored was an Inniskillin Discovery Series 2020 Tempranillo and it limped in at a 73/100.
How does the Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Tempranillo fare?
A scant 100 cases were produced from 6 barrels. Aged in neutral French oak for 12 months.
Maison Smith Montpetit is located in the heart of the Similkameen Valley of British Columbia an organic epicentre.
Aroma: Density is perhaps the word that comes to mind. Thick and ponderous blueberry and blackberry with a tweak of Vermont black licorice and Serbian hazelnut wafer cookies.
Palate: Adjectives of bold and powerful in the glass because of carefully built structure and not the 14.5% alcohol. Broad based tannins with gentle acidity. Loads of blackberry. Long finish with slow fade.
Personality: I am a typical Maison Smith Montpetit wine which will impress with its purity and power. As with so many great Euro wines from Tempranillo grapes in Portugal and Spain consume me with food. This makes me more Old World than New World whatever that may mean!
Food: Douro duck casserole or grilled baby lamb.
Cellarbility: Slight improvement into 2027 but will hold stable until 2029.
Price: $40 CDN.
RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine Rating: 92/100. Gismondi 91.
(Maison Smith Montpetit Bottega & Vineyards 2022 Tempranillo, British Columbia VQA, Cawston, British Columbia, 750 mL, 14.5%).
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