Osoyoos Larose has unveiled La Maison Osoyoos Larose, a truly unique wine club—likely the only one of its kind in Canada.
Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin has evolved into one of BC’s iconic wines in a pretty short time. Especially when you consider it’s only just over a couple of decades since the first release.
It was big news in 1998 when Groupe Taillan of Bordeaux and Canada’s Vincor announced their joint venture: to make a ‘serious’ Bordeaux style wine. To put things into perspective, a decade earlier most people didn’t believe BC could make a decent red, period. However, as more red vinifera was planted in lieu of hybrids, there were impressive initial results. Early promising signs included Blue Mountain’s Pinot Noir (and Gamay) and Cedar Creek Merlot, among others.
When Harry McWatters planted the Okanagan’s first significant vineyard of Bordeaux varieties ‘down south’ in 1992, a lot of folks said it couldn’t be done. However, as usual, McWatters proved the naysayers wrong. He also paved the way for others, including expansive plantings by Vincor on the Black Sage Bench.
Osoyoos Larose early days
The 90s was prime time for the Okanagan, which had begun to attract talented winemakers from around the world. They included John Simes, who came to Mission Hill from New Zealand’s Montana, and (later, in 2001) Pascal Madevon. The first winemaker for Osoyoos Larose, Madevon emigrated from his native Bordeaux specifically to manage the project. He’s since gone on to become a much valued consultant throughout the valley. Osoyoos Larose has also transitioned to single ownership under Groupe Taillan.
Osoyoos Larose Estate vineyard group credit Jon Adrian
Those of us standing on the site of the still undeveloped vineyard (in what turned out to be one of the hottest vintages on record) were keenly aware that this particular venture was different. For one thing the land was on the west side of the valley, which greatly benefits from mountain shade later in the day. (Great diurnals make for great Merlot, says Pascal Madevon.) But it was also the first time that the Bordelais had truly shown interest in the Canadian industry. The first plantings on the 32 ha. site went in the following year, with Madevon making his first vintage on arrival in 2001.
The 2001 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations and helped raise even more awareness of the Okanagan’s true potential. While the earlier blends were Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, more recently it’s been replaced by a majority of Merlot.
Today’s winery closely follows a mantra of sustainable viticulture. It also now has its own dedicated winemaking facility.
Osoyoos Larose Estate Michael Kullmann at work – photo: Jon Adrian
“What we do at Osoyoos Larose is focus solely on the land, the grapes, and the wine in the bottle,” says Osoyoos Larose CEO and winemaker Michael Kullmann. “We only use grapes grown in our own estate vineyard; employ sustainable, organic farming practices, and biodiversity in the vineyard informs everything we do to ensure only the best grapes and the very best wine.”
La Maison Osoyoos Larose – one of a kind
Unique among wine clubs, newly unveiled La Maison Osoyoos Larose offers wine lovers privileged access to Osoyoos Larose library wines. While a few BC wineries do offer their top tier club members the chance to buy back-vintages, it’s rare if not unprecedented to base a club on them entirely. However, it seems that La Maison Osoyoos Larose has sufficient library stocks to accommodate in the region of at least 100 members. Those signing up for La Maison Osoyoos Larose will be able to receive wines from more than a decade ago, as well as large formats and enjoy early access to new releases.
Osoyoos Larose bottles – credit JonAdrian
This is very much a first for Osoyoos Larose not to mention for the Canadian industry at large.
“We are excited to be able to offer our passionate Osoyoos Larose fans this unique opportunity to celebrate our wines, and, essentially, life from the desert, with our inaugural list release,” says Kullmann. “Shipments have already been mapped out for the next few years and we cannot wait to share these special wines.”
Osoyoos Larose currently makes two Bordeaux blends: the flagship Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin and Pétales d’Osoyoos Larose—always an excellent value. A classic white Bordeaux blend is rumoured to be not far off, with vines already in the ground. La Maison Osoyoos Larose subscribers will have access to all wines in the portfolio, including the often hard to find le Grand Vin. The added bonus of nigh impossible to buy back-vintages will be irresistible for serious BC wine lovers.
If you’re a fan (and there are many) you’d be advised to check out La Maison Osoyoos Larose sooner rather than later..
Osoyoos Larose le Grand Vin 2018
Okanagan Valley
Hand-sorted, de-stemmed, and fermented in custom-made conical tanks, with about 25 days of skin contact; aged 12 months in a 60/40 split of new and one year-old French oak barrels. Merlot dominant blend (64.9%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (14.2%), Cabernet Franc (12.7%), Petit Verdot (5.2%) and Malbec (3%).
Up-front red and black fruit precedes a well balanced and nicely integrated, supple and plush palate supported by firm tannins. Dark cherry, plum, mocha and spice notes, with a mineral core wrapped in hallmark acidity through a lengthy finish. $57 / 94 pts.
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