2022 Code "Estate Blend" Pinot Noir

91pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/  

A blend of the four single-clone Pinot Noir grown on the small home vineyard in Okanagan Falls (mostly Pommard 91 and Dijon 115), the 2022 Estate Blend might be the most complete and the most expressive Cuvee that Shay Code has made to date (4^th vintage). Vibrant and lively, earthy and floral, but also fruity and very well balanced. On the nose, the aromas evolve quickly after 30 minutes in the glass: the red cherry and red currant transition towards wet forest floor and potpourri while the hint of vanilla keeps both sides connected. The palate is soft and delicate, the structure is bright, surfing a solid frame of acidity while the 10% new French oak brings a nice touch of complexity. The flavours are crunchy and mirror the aromas with red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, red velvet, vanilla and a lingering spice on the finish that might come from the Dijon 115 clone.  (CWC, 12/02/24). 411 cases made

Pairings: wild rice stuffed red pepper, grilled pork belly with sweet soy.  Drink now until 2028.

 

2022 Code “Single Clone” Syrah Rosé 

91pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/ 

A single block, single clone wine showing exactly what it should…precision and terroir definition! Tightly knit and stunningly built, this is the poster child of the potential for Syrah rosé with lip-smacking acidity, an abundance of delicate red berry fruits, rhubarb, cranberry and a great deal of zippy citrus peel on the back-end. It finishes on a flinty mineral note and a long lingering white pepper wave, which brings this rosé to the next level. This is Okanagan Falls terroir on full display…this wine is an absolute GEM. (CWC, 7/09/23). 188 cases made.

Pairings: crab cakes, fish stew.  Drink now until 2025

 

2022 Code Pinot Noir Rosé 

 90+pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/ 

Another great delivery by Shay Code, showcasing the terrific potential of Pinot Noir rosé. Finesse on the nose with discreet aromas of strawberry, nectarine and slight earthy notes. The palate shows texture, grace and personality where softness meets with energy. Bright flavours of strawberry, white peach, and ambrosia apple open up the palate, followed by a noticeable creaminess on the mid-palate which complements the stunning citrus peel and a hint of mint on the finish. I truly enjoyed this delicate treat. (CWC, 7/09/23). 94 cases made.

Pairings: duck liver pate on crostini, seared scallops.  Drink now until 2025

 

2022 Code "Single Clone" Chardonnay

89pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

This wine is Okanagan Falls minerality meets Old-World style Chablis Chardonnay, delivering a unique super-focused, slim-texture wine with great length and complexity. On the nose, expressive aromas of citrus, pear and white flowers - but also slightly herbaceous, help set the table for a linear and energetic palate that perfectly reflects the aromas. A rush of green apple and Meyer lemon hit the front palate, turning to lemon custard and honey melon in the middle before closing on citrus peel notes and firm flinty minerality. This last component brings extra complexity and sure delivers the uniqueness of the Okanagan Falls terroir. (CWC, 6/08/23).

Pairings: spaghetti vongole, smoked ham.  Drink now until 2028

 

2020 Code "Dijon 777" Pinot Noir

93pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

This is a Rockstar Pinot Noir, and a great reflection of what the Okanagan Falls terroir can deliver at a very high level. The Dijon 777 Clone is very well balanced between earthiness, minerality and purity of fruits. The nose opens up with classic aromas of forest floor, violet, red currant, strawberry and cigar box announcing a serious wine with roots and purpose.  The flavours of raspberry, red current and cranberry jam are generous and suave on the first waves leading the way to a long and textural endeavour. The mid palate is packed with dark cherry, minerality, licorice and savouriness while the finish is extremely long, complex and spicy. I can put this wine side by side with serious Burgundian Pinot Noir at double the price and be confident that you'll be impressed with it...a very impressive wine. (CWC, 24/11/22). 22 cases made.

Pairings: mushroom risotto, wild stuffed red pepper. Drink now until 2028

 

2020 Code Syrah

92pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

This is another terroir driven wine made by Shay Code demonstrating the wonderful potential of Okanagan Falls. Very classic "old world," Northern Rhone style with low alcohol, stunning minerality and fantastic length and complexity. The wine is parfumy, with layers of graphite and crushed gravel, tobacco leaves, smoky bacon and blue fruits. The palate is completely in line with the aromas including blueberry jam, fresh cut herbs, espresso coffee and a good dose of white and green pepper on the finish. The texture is soft and creamy, enhanced by 25% new French barrel treatment which brings toasty notes and a hint of vanilla. Outstanding price-point for such a high quality Syrah...truly a wine to discover. (CWC, 24/11/22). 111 cases made. 

Pairings: bison bacon cheeseburger, smoked ribs. Drink between 2024 and 2030

 

2020 Code "Single Clone" Chardonnay

90+pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

This wine is a clear reminiscence of a Chablis Chardonnay. Single clone sourced from their neighbour at Meyer Family Vineyard, this is a clean, fresh, bright, focused and straight forward Chardonnay delivering excellent purity of fruit. The nose offers green apple, lemon, and jasmine flowers while the palate is zippy and precise with flavours of key lime, lemon zest, poached green apple, ginger and chamomile. The finish is chalky and also offers great minerality with a mouth-watering finish.  This is a wine that will sure please all unoaked Chardonnay lovers. (CWC, 25/11/22). 53 cases made.

Pairings: crab cakes, seafood pizza.  Drink now until 2025 

 

2019 Code "Estate Blend" Pinot Noir

89pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

A pleasing blend of the four different clones of Pinot Noir which grow on their 6 acre estate in Okanagan Falls; Ancestor 01, Dijon 115, Dijon 777, and Pommard 91. Light, fresh and parfumy, this Pinot Noir offers an exuberant nose with earthy and floral aromas where violets, dry roses and potpourri are on display. The palate is smooth and light where strawberry, raspberry and light licorice are shinning. The mid palate is energetic and vibrant throughout a mouth-watering frame of acidity and the finish offers a good length and honest reflection of an Okanagan Falls Pinot Noir. (CWC, 24/11/22). 43 cases made. 

Pairings: penne arabiata, roasted chicken. Drink now until 2025 

 

2020 Code "Clone Pommard 91" Pinot Noir

91pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

This is most definitely the most "New World," California-style wines of the four single clone wines. This Pommard Clone provides darker colour, firm tannins and a heavier and denser mid palate. The nose offers aromas of plum, blackberry, dark cherry and fresh herbs while the palate offers dark fruits built on a solid structure, black raspberry, cherries and plum flowing along the savouryness to this medium+ body Pinot noir. The finish displays a serious length, great complexity and spiciness. (CWC, 24/11/22). 22 cases made.

Pairings: pulled pork sandwich, beef stew. Drink now until 2027 

 

2020 Code "Clone Dijon 115" Pinot Noir

90+pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

The Dijon 115 clone is soft and supple with great structure and a form of elegance. The nose opens up with a nice perfume of violets and other garden flowers and a mix of red fruits like raspberry and strawberry. Right out of the gate the aromas are fresh, well defined and fairly pronounced. On the palate, the flavours are precise and generous, bringing the best of the Okanagan Falls terroir and the heat of the 2020 vintage. Fresh blueberry , ripe raspberry, cranberry jam and canned peach are dominant on the front and mid palate before offering a hint of oak and a slight earthy undertone with graphite, cedar and white pepper on the back end. This wine has the potential to be a crowd pleaser with its generous fruits and balanced acidity. (CWC, 24/11/22). 22 cases made.

Pairings: chicken in mushroom sauce, roasted pork loin. Drink now until 2027 

 

2020 Code "Ancestor 01" Pinot Noir

89pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

I refer to the Ancestor 01 clone as the "backbone" and the structure of any Pinot Noir Blend. The bright acidity, earthiness, minerality and European feel (German Style) of this wine puts it into a category of its own. On the nose, earthiness, barnyard, licorice and strawberry come out straight and obvious. The palate completely matches the aromas with strawberry, cranberry, red currant, lots of licorice and tobacco. The finish is shorter than its other single clone counterparts, but the density of the mid palate compensates, and the uniqueness of its flavour profile makes it fun to taste. (CWC, 24/11/22). 22 cases made.

Pairings: deer tartar, mushroom duxelles. Drink now until 2026  

  

2020 Code "Estate Blend" Pinot Noir

90pts Carl's Wine Club https://carlswineclub.com/

The 2020 Pinot Noir Estate blend showcases heavier body, darker and riper fruits, leading to a spicier finish compared to the 2019 counterpart. The aromas are expressive with multiple floral nuances, raspberry, red currant and a hint of cassis while the palate is soft and silky, very well layered, with red berry, cassis, a tad of blue plum, vanilla and cocoa. The finish is spicy with cloves and white pepper, delivering a medium length with velvet like tannins. A nice step up in terms of richness and complexity from the last vintage. (CWC, 24/11/22). 110 cases made. 

Pairings: duck breast, freshly made bruschetta. Drink now until 2027