Bordeaux Blue Blood Makes Waves in Okanagan

Okanagan-based #Osoyoos Larose inherited the Bordeaux traditions of the 1855 Classification Second Growth Château Gruaud-Larose. Only two wines produced: ‘Le Grand Vin’ and ‘Petales d’Osoyoos’, probably something that Bordeaux lovers will grow affinity with down the road.

In 1998, big Bordeaux trading house Taillan Group and Constellation Brands Canada jointly implemented this 'Bordeaux-inspired' project. The estate was established on a  site in proximity to Lake Osoyoos as investors foresee promising potential of making a first New World Grand Cru on the Canadian land. 

Taillan Groupe holds various properties include the prestigious Château Gruaud-Larose in Saint-Julien AC. Despite its connection with the legendary Château, the fame of Osoyoos Larose is built up over time through evolving excellence in their wines.  Osoyoos Larose is now headed up by Jean-Marc Enixon, who used to be the owner of one of the Bordeaux elite Château Puy Guilhem in Fronsac. The making of Osoyoos Larose assemblage still abides by the AOC classification standard which outlines the five grape varieties allowable for used in Bordeaux wines.

Canada’s Bordeaux

Osoyoos Larose 'Le Grand Vin' is the flagship wine from, in many wine writers’ view, one of the most exciting estates in Canada as the centuries-old winemaking tradition of Bordeaux deployed so well on Canadian terrior. One remarkable praise was that Osoyoos Larose brought new heights of success to the Canadian red winemaking like no other before.

More than living up to expectations, the debut vintage Le Grand Vin 2001 raised the profile of all red wines produced in the Southern Okanagan Valley and placed the estate’s name on par with the world’s finest wine producers. 

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We are pleased to be able to offer an allocation direct from the estate.  Stay stuned with us for details of the incoming lot.  Here's a sneak peek for the wines to be in our stock soon:

Le Grand Vin 2012 itself is superb and with a potential  window of a decade or more, this is a wine which will only increase in depth and complexity over time. Think aromas of black currant, plum, and fresh vanilla, with hints of black pepper and cigar.  A supple, creamy entry is followed by intense flavours of ripe black cherry and dark chocolate, finishing with lingering black fruit and savoury spice.  Intense fruit, bright acid and sturdy tannins promise resilience and longevity. Merlot 50% / Cabernet Sauvignon 24% / Petit Verdot 13% / Cabernet Franc 9% / Malbec 4%.  Drink very well now and till 2022-2023

In keeping with classic Bordeaux tradition, Petales d’Osoyoos 2012 is vinified to highlight the freshness of wine to show fruit intensity and elegancy. This wine features an intense Grenat colour. Fruit forward with a very high intensity of fresh red fruit in balance with notes of vanilla.  On the palate, the wine offers a very good balance, with an elegant and round body.  The finish is smooth and reminiscent of the fruit intensity from the nose.  Merlot 67% / Cabernet Sauvignon 16% / Petit Verdot 1% / Cabernet Franc 15% / Malbec 1%. Drink 2012-2017