Pascal Madevon, Osoyoos Larose winemaker since inception, will be doing a promotional tour of several Vintages stores in Ontario. Drop by and meet him if you can - he'll answer questions about the wine, aging etc., and he'll sign the bottles for you if you like.
Toronto - Saturday, February 20
• LCBO Summerhill, 11:30am – 12:30pm
• LCBO Kingsway, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
• LCBO Bayview Village, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Burlington – Sunday, February 21
• LCBO Burlington, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Ottawa – Wednesday, February 24
• LCBO Rideau Street, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
My tasting note is from March, 2009. Expect more development now, including a calming of the tannins and the appearance of secondary notes of tobacco and perhaps cigar. The combination of the high tannins and ripe fruit and my note of the "underlying smoothness" make me confident of the ageability of this one.
2006 Osoyoos Larose. $39.95
The muted nose is not overly fruity and there are secondary notes including an unusual whiff of coconut husks, though the nose is smoothly integrated. Bigger on the palate - tannins are more evident, acidity is very high and there's lots of ripe cherry fruit. This one needs more time, but there's a promising smoothness under. It's very dry and there's a smoky note on the finish. 90 points.
Collectors Item
Upon its Ontario launch several years ago, the Globe's Beppi Crosariol wondered if Osoyoos Larose might be "Canada's first collectable wine?" I for one am collecting it. A few months ago I opened a 2002, taking advantage of free corkage after 9pm at Nota Bene on Queen Street: the wine was superb. 2003 is the only letdown - although it was initially promising it seems to have developed off notes and it is usually not included in "vertical tastings".
Certainly a few others are collecting Osoyoos Larose as well. Check out this screen capture from the Vintages website of the larger format bottles from 06:
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