Diane Fox and Tyson Archer – Fox & Archer – make a minuscule amount of wine in their garage, but volume isn’t everything. Last year, we featured their delicious 2019 Malbec in our inaugural BC club shipment. Mike and I recently tasted through their latest releases, and it was clear we needed to feature them again.
The new Malbec, from the exceptional 2020 vintage, is seriously good and easily ranks as one of the top Malbecs in the province. But this time around we wanted to feature one of their Pinot Noirs. They are Pinot Noir specialists, after all.
The Mountain Pinot Noir is sourced from Fox Vineyard, situated at 600 metres above sea level on the Naramata Bench. Diane and Tyson work with two steeply-sloping blocks at the top of the vineyard, which is what gives this wine a real mountain character with exceptional intensity and structure. It's a pure expression of Naramata Pinot Noir, without the heartbreak price tag.
-GM
Tasting Note
This shows the balanced ripeness of the 2020 vintage, with a combination of dark cherries and chocolate-dipped wild strawberries alongside cola spices and dried roses. This has the depth of fruit to effortlessly carry the 40% new French oak, which is firmly in the background, keeping the focus on the Naramata terroir. Supple and polished, this is ready to enjoy now but will improve over the next 3-4 years with careful cellaring.
Food Pairing
Thick-cut, charcoal-grilled pork chops with cherry sauce