The Event: Trailblazers & Terroirs – new and pre-release vintages of premium BC wines from Mission Hill, CedarCreek, Martin's Lane and Checkmate Artisanal wineries

The Date and Time: Tuesday, August 16, 2017    3PM to 6PM

The Event: Trailblazers & Terroirs – new and pre-release vintages of premium BC wines from Mission Hill, CedarCreek, Martin's Lane and Checkmate Artisanal wineries

The Venue: Broadview Hotel, Lincoln Hall

The Target Audience: wine writers, sommeliers, private clients and licensees.

The Availability/Catalogue: all are available through Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits.

The Quote/Background: in a TED format, winemakers talked a bit about their sustainability at each location and then presented their wines to an audience of about 64. Darryl Brooker led off for Mission, followed by Taylor Whelan of CedarCreek, Shane Munn of Martin's Lane, and Phil McGahan of Checkmate.

The Wines: all prices are "Direct to Consumer Pricing", with the wines available in three- or six-packs.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Checkmate Little Pawn Chardonnay 2014 $110, half wild ferment, all French oak MY FAVE

-Mission Hill Family Estate Perpetua 2015 $50 SS & French oak & concrete eggs

-Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Pinot Noir 2014 $100 French extra tight grain oak

-Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2013 $135 Meritage French oak barriques 56% new MY FAVE RED

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Riesling 2014 $65 spontaneous fermentation

-CedarCreek Platinum Haynes Creek Viognier 2016 $29 oak and concrete

-Checkmate Black Rook Merlot 2013 $85 French oak 21 months

-CedarCreek Estate Winery The Last Word 2014 $85 Meritage, 20 months French oak

 

The Food: hot platters of ground lamb, arancini,and more (I did not stay to the end), plus cheeseboards.

The Downside: I was sort of expecting a wider variety of wines at the bar, a mini-portfolio of some other (less expensive) wines to take advantage of the crowd of writers, sommeliers, and private clients. Instead, we had more of the eight wines already sampled.

The Upside: great quality wines on show, terrific event venue

The Contact Person: dana@danalee.biz

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com