Based in the new East Kelowna Slopes sub-appellation, Spearhead makes some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in the Okanagan, led by Pinot specialist Grant Stanley. They stole the show at the National Wine Awards last year, earning top performing small winery in Canada. That was in no small part thanks to their 2019 Pinots, which picked up a platinum and handful of gold medals.
They've just released their 2020 Pinots and it's clear they're going from strength to strength. This single vineyard Pinot Noir, farmed by David Kozuki, comes from further south in Summerland. It’s the perfect home for Pinot, and features a mix of clones: Pommard as well as Dijon clones 777, 667, and 115. Grant says it's his favourite Pinot from the 2020 vintage, and who are we to disagree?
Tasting Note
As you'd expect, this shows a slightly riper fruit profile than Spearhead's East Kelowna Pinots, offering a combination of sappy dark cherry and plum fruit, alongside dried herbs, cocoa, and integrated toasty oak from aging 13 months in French oak barrels (25% new). There's a precision to the winemaking, not just in terms of the purity of the fruit but also the polished, silky tannins. It's serious Pinot, to be sure.
Food Pairing
Mushroom risotto with spring herbs or Moroccan lamb kebabs.