Laughing Stock 2020 Syrah 750ml

Syrah has become a powerful varietal for BC winegrowers, both in terms of its success in growing well in the south Okanagan, and for what it has been delivering in the glass. 100% estate grown on our Perfect Hedge vineyard in Osoyoos, the style is inspired by the classic Cote Rotie in Northern Rhone, blending 97% Syrah with 3% Viognier. This combines the strong masculinity of Syrah with the more delicate femininity of Viognier.

Deep and dense, the Syrah opens with a nose of dark chocolate cherry ganache, peppered bacon and black currants. On the palate, the wine has notes of ripe black cherries, bramble, charcuterie and a touch of sage – not surprising given the old growth sage bordering the vineyard. This wine can easily be tucked away in the cellar for 5-7 years

INSIDER TIP: 30% of this wine is not just aged, but also fermented in French oak puncheons and tanks, which imparts silky tannins and a lush roundness to the Syrah.

winemaking notes

The Syrah was fermented in three separate lots: 1 lot co-fermented with Viognier in stainless steel fermenters, another lot was fermented in 500 L open top French oak puncheons, and the last lot was fermented in a larger French oak tank called The Ferminator. In this tank, 80% was left as whole berry and 20% whole cluster. After pressing, the wine was barrel aged for 14 months in 35% new French oak.

vintage notes

Starting with a spectacularly warm spring, 2015 became one of the hottest on record in the Okanagan Valley. Hot doesn’t necessarily guarantee a stellar vintage as vines can shut down once temperatures go beyond 35 degrees. And typical of recent hot summers, forest fires abounded creating other issues such as valley smoke, which clouded the sunshine for a few weeks and slowed ripening. Overall, harvest dates were two to three weeks early with fabulously ripe fruit

vineyard source

The Perfect Hedge Vineyard on East Bench, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley

--Winemaker