Rhone-style
Winemaker Tyler Harlton, the TH in Summerland’s TH Wines, is showing his deft skill with Rhone whites.
In southern France’s Rhone Valley, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne are the signature white wine grapes.
Harlton’s 2018 Viognier ($25) is classic of the varietal with an intense honeyed profile of pear, citrus and rose blossom.
The 2018 Viognier Roussanne ($29) blend delivers honey and apricot associated with the Viognier and herbs and spice from the Roussanne.
Made well, Rhone whites are full-bodied, aromatic and interesting and Harlton’s are no exception.
To create added complexity in the wines, each was fermented and aged in a combination of big 500-litre oak puncheons, standardsized 225-litre oak barrique barrels and stainless-steel tanks.
The puncheons and barrels were neutral, meaning they have been used at least a couple of times before, so they didn’t impart oak taste, just an almost creamy texture.
TH Wines has a small production of less than 2,000 cases annually.
Only 369 cases of the Viognier was made and just 68 cases of Viognier Roussanne.
So, you better act quick if you want a piece of this action.
The wines are for sale at the winery at 9576 Cedar Ave. in Summerland and at THWines.com.
Steve MacNaull is The Okanagan Weekend’s business and wine reporter and columnist. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.