October 24, 2024 Gismondi on Wine TOP 10: Canadian Pinot Noir

CODE Wines Pinot Noir, 2020 Clone Collection Ancestor 01 (92 Points)

This newer Okanagan winery is the vision of Shay and Harlee Code, the farmers and owners of this organic 5 acre Okanagan Falls east bench estate. They began planting in 2017 with chardonnay and syrah. Over the past 3 years they've made their wines at Naramata's Roche Winery, but have recently launched their own operation. One of 4 clonal pinot noirs from the 2020 vintage, this is an unknown clone, thought to be Germanic in origin, and planted on the crest of their upper block (block #4). Like the others in the collection, this was destemmed and whole berry fermented in open top containers before aging in 2nd fill French barrels for 10 months prior to bottling, unfined and unfiltered. A spice box nose opens this juicy, fragrant pinot, woven with dark cherry, mulberry, and lilac, and lifted with easy, bright acidity. Tannins are long and finely grippy, taking this through a stony finish. Really quite different, very pretty, finessed, and memorable. Certainly a project worth following.