Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

to taste, be wise

OUR TERROIR: Our vineyard’s location in the famed “Golden Mile” alluvial soil deposit and southeast aspect with excellent exposure to sunshine, results in full flavour and aroma development. The vineyard slope keeps the vines safe from late spring or early fall frost problems, allowing the grapes to ripen fully. The vines are planted to the foot of a mountain, which provides evening shade, resulting in a rapid cool-off during summer, which prevents the grape acids from dropping and results in a fine balance between ripe, sweet fruit and firm, clean acidity.

White Table Wines

Gewürztraminer 2010 CSPC 682120

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Gewürztraminer

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1981

HARVESTED: October 20, 2010

YIELD: 4.3 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 85 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2 g/L

ALCOHOL: 14%

OAK PROGRAM: Unoaked

TASTING NOTES: Dry (0) We like to showcase the complexity of the gewürztraminer grape without the distraction of sweetness, which is why this vintage is again unusually dry for a gewürztraminer. This wine exhibits a lovely rose petal bouquet with citrus and peach characteristics.

FOOD PAIRINGS: More flexible than a sweet version, can be traditionally paired with spicy or Asian influenced cuisine but is also great with the barbecued flavours of contemporary North American cuisine.

ACCOLADES AND REVIEWS:

Grape Generation’s Lucas Achtem gives this a vote as one of the top two wines presented at the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival of 2011. “My favourites of the night would have to be ..., and the Castoro De Oro Winery Gewurztraminer.” http://grapegeneration.com/page/2

Heart of Gold® 2010 CSPC 764399

GRAPE VARIETAL: Viognier, Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1992, 1999, 1980

HARVESTED: Oct 20, Oct 31, Oct 19 - 2010

YIELD: 4.1, 4.9, 5.1 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 96 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.2%

OAK PROGRAM: Unoaked

TASTING NOTES: Dry (0) this unoaked blend of Viognier, Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, in approximately equal amounts, exhibits the full mouthfeel and lower acidity of the fully ripened Viognier with added complexity from the Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc. This wine is very fruity with flavours of melons and apricots and a smooth finish. This wine was named in honour of Neil Young, as a tribute to his music.

FOOD PAIRINGS: This fruity yet dry with a smooth finish wine, is very enjoyable as a patio sipper. But pairs well with seafood especially halibut or scallops.

ACCOLADES AND REVIEWS:

Rick VanSickle “89 points The wine, oh wow, you had me at Heart of Gold, probably one of the GREATEST SONGS EVER by the GREATEST SONG WRITER of all time, Neil Young. It’s an unusual (like Neil) blend... Lovely melon, tropical fruit and floral notes on the nose. A dry style on the palate with decent acidity and chock full of ripe, delicious fruits. Sip, sit back, listen to Heart of Gold & enjoy.”

John Schreiner “88 points. This is a creative blend of Viognier, Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, with flavours of melons and apricots and with a crisp finish.”

Courtney Fossett ~ aka @BCwinegirl & Wine Trails writer “2010 Heart of Gold is an easygoing blend of Viognier, Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc. The nose that greets you is fruity, with a citrus twist. On the palate, the Heart of Gold starts out with firm, crisp apple and follows with a rich finish. This wine is just packed with fruitiness, but it isn’t sweet at all, making it a great choice for a meal, or as a standalone summer sipper. It cries out for a big, fat piece of grilled halibut.”

Pinot Blanc 2010 CSPC 138560

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Blanc

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1980

HARVESTED: October 19, 2010

YIELD: 5 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 380 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.9%

OAK PROGRAM: Unoaked

TASTING NOTES: This lovely old vine Pinot Blanc exhibits fresh aromas of tropical fruit. The palate is rich, fruity with flavours of stone fruit and tropical fruit, balanced by a hint of lemon on the finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Anything but beef, (we’re biased to pairing red with beef) this is a sturdy and versatile all around food wine.

ACCOLADES AND REVIEWS: The one Vancouver High End Restaurants are choosing to serve by the glass… Gold Fish Seafood, Miku Japanese and also serving it by the glass is the newest “Hot Spot” in New Westminster ~ Lafflines Comedy Club.

Vidal 2010 CSPC 665216

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Vidal

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1980, & more in 2010

HARVESTED: November 27, 2010

YIELD: 4.9 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 41 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.4%

OAK PROGRAM: Unoaked

TASTING NOTES: Dry (0) Delicate aromas of apricot and apple peel with minerals and a dash of sweet spice. Mouth-wateringly zesty on the palate with loads of fresh citrus flavours and a long clean finish. Most years, all of our vidal wine is used as part of our white blend called Heartbreaker and that’s why ONLY 41 CASES PRODUCED and this wine is not produced every year, get it while it’s here!

FOOD PAIRINGS: This vidal is perfect with oysters, mussels and other seafoods. Makes a perfectly delicious dry patio sipper though too.

Rosé / Pinks

Pinot Duetto 2009 CSPC 194225

Dry “Pink” Blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc

GRAPE VARIETAL: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Blanc

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1982, 1980

HARVESTED: September 28, 2009, October 6, 2009

YIELD: 2.4 tons/acre, 3.4 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 310 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4 g/L

ALCOHOL: 12.8%

OAK PROGRAM: Unoaked

TASTING NOTES: This dry rosé is a darker salmon colour. 60% Pinot Noir was combined with 40% Pinot Blanc which makes it a summer day sipper that ‘real men’ and red wine enthusiasts will like as much as those who are already rosé converts. The Pinot Noir was made as a full red wine with regular skin contact which gives it those lovely berry flavours and tannins with the Pinot Blanc adding acidity and citrus flavours. The aroma of fresh strawberries, cherries and citrus fruits will delight. It’s fruity and flavourful with a clean smooth finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS: A wonderful pink to drink alone for an ice cold refreshing experience or versatile for food pairing with smoked or fresh salmon, crab, scallops, prosciutto, pasta with cream and cheese sauce and even roast chicken since the acidity and tannins will stand up to the salt and fat.

Red Table Wines

Pinot Noir 2007 2^nd edition! CSPC 194258

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Noir

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1982

HARVESTED: October 15 & 16, 2007

YIELD: 3.9 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 70 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.9 g/L

ALCOHOL: 12.7%

OAK PROGRAM: 12 months in new french oak

TASTING NOTES: Inviting aromas of warm berry and a hint of vanilla. This silky smooth light bodied Pinot Noir has cherry and strawberry flavours complemented with subtle earth and pepper notes, finishes with a hint of butterscotch.

The 1st edition (147 cases released one year earlier and sold out now) was oaked exclusively in Hungarian Oak; we decided our Pinot Noir 2007 would be a showcase of the effects of our different oak programs.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect pairing with turkey dinner, salmon appetizers and more. The ultimate food wine—the only one you'd want to be stuck with on a desert island—is made from the French grape called Pinot Noir. Why? It's a red wine, with moderate degrees of tannin (the stuff derived from the skins and seeds of fermenting grapes), and so it goes perfectly well with red meats with some degree of fattiness, especially with a twist of pepper or slightly bitter vegetables on the side. But the tannin of our Pinot Noir is very soft, making this a very sleek, smooth, easy drinking red wine that goes well with white meats also. In fact, a slightly chilled bottle of our Pinot Noir is as soft and flavourful to drink as most white wines.

Pinot Noir 2008 CSPC 39958

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Noir

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1982

HARVESTED: September 27, 2008

YIELD: 2.4 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 380 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.8 g/L

ALCOHOL: 12.8%

OAK PROGRAM: 6 months in hungarian oak, then 2 months in french oak

TASTING NOTES: This wine has the fruitiness of a young red with the smoothness of an aged red, this balance is achieved by the unusual oak program, lightly oaked ~ 6 months in Hungarian Oak and then 2 months in French Oak. Inviting aromas of warm berry and a hint of baking spices. This Pinot Noir gives moderate weight on the palate with cherry fruit flavours and finishes with a slight taste of butterscotch.

FOOD PAIRINGS: The ultimate food wine. It goes perfect with meats with some degree of fattiness, especially with a twist of pepper or slightly bitter vegetables on the side. But the tannin of our Pinot Noir is very soft, making this a very smooth, easy drinking red wine that goes just as well with white meats like fish, veal, pork and chicken.

ACCOLADES AND REVIEWS: Michael Botner in OKANAGANLife Magazine Jan/Feb 2012 edition:

“Delightful, nuanced Pinot Noir is a class act. It features a subtly sweet spicy nose and a silky palate suggesting delicate flavours of ripe plum, strawberry, earth, red pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and light toast. Partners pork, poultry or veal roasts with mushrooms. 4.5 stars”

You can see the page itself here (takes quite awhile to load – press the grey “Click to read” button)

http://issuu.com/okanaganlife/docs/jan-feb_2012/40

Pinot Noir 2010 CSPC 760918

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Noir

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1982

HARVESTED: October 27 & 30, 2010

YIELD: 4.9 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 392 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.8 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.4%

OAK PROGRAM: 3 months in hungarian oak and 7 months french oak

TASTING NOTES: A beautiful, strawberry and cherry with a hint of earthy spice, bouquet. This light bodied Pinot Noir is simply delicious with cherry, strawberry, earthy cloves and vanilla flavours. A silky mouth feel and a delicate hint of butterscotch on the finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Goes great with pork, poultry, salmon appetizers and so much more. We love the wine made from Pinot Noir because it’s a terrific food wine. Why? It's a red wine, with moderate degrees of tannin (the stuff derived from the skins and seeds of fermenting grapes), and so it goes perfectly well with red meats with some degree of fattiness, especially with a twist of pepper or slightly bitter vegetables on the side and yet pairs well with other foods that might be thought to be white wine foods too.

Merlot 2007 CSPC 584656

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% merlot

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1980

HARVESTED: October 1, 2007

YIELD: 2.6 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 318 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.7 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.0%

OAK PROGRAM: 3 months in hungarian oak, then 9 months in french oak

TASTING NOTES: This wine has the full-bodied fruitiness of a young red with the smooth finish of an aged red this balance is achieved by the unique oak program. Lightly Oaked ~ 3 months in Hungarian and then 9 months in French Oak. A beautiful display in the glass with a dark plum colour and big delicious aromas of plum and current. A fine wine with Okanagan acidity, firm tannins for aging, spicy raspberry and plum flavours.

FOOD PAIRINGS: This is definitely the wine to choose if you are throwing a big juicy steak or some burgers on the grill. Also pairs well with pork or spicy pasta.

Merlot 2008 CSPC 604439

GRAPE VARIETAL: 100% merlot

VINEYARD: Our Estate Vineyard located in the South Okanagan’s premiere grape region

The Golden Mile of Oliver, British Columbia Canada

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly rocky sand, alluvial fan

VINES PLANTED: 1980

HARVESTED: October 1, 2008

YIELD: 3.2 tons/acre

PRODUCTION: 301 cases 750 mL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.9 g/L

ALCOHOL: 13.3%

OAK PROGRAM: 6 months in hungarian oak, then 2 months in french oak

TASTING NOTES: This wine has the fruitiness of a young red with the smoothness of an aged red, this balance is achieved by the unusual oak program. Lightly Oaked ~ 6 months in Hungarian and then 2 months in French Oak. Captures a mesmerizing plum colour in the glass and appropriate varietal plum and current aromas. A fine wine with Okanagan acidity, roasted flavours and raspberries – quite complex! Bottled in June of 2010, showing extremely well with the bottle aging.

FOOD PAIRINGS: This is definitely the wine to choose if you are throwing some burgers on the grill. Also pairs well with steak, pork or BBQ chicken.

ACCOLADES AND REVIEWS:

Creston WineArt Festival 2011 ~ Peoples Choice Award “BEST RED” Bronze.

  Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

                              to taste, be wise

     phone:                 250-495-4991

     physical address: 29690 Highway 97

     mailing address: RR1, S42, C19

                                 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0

     facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CastorodeOro

     twitter:     https://twitter.com/CastoroWinery Follow @CastoroWinery