We are fortunate for the past 5 + years to be working with these limited wines from MacIntyre, which are estate grown and owned by Drew MacIntyre,owner of Lake Breeze vineyards. These two wines are made from the best fruit coming from the Estate and are made in tiny amounts and are offered only to restaurants. This Chardonnay and Merlot showcase some of Naramata's best! Even better they are shipped directly from us within a day or two.
If you are interested in ordering or would like to taste, please get in touch with me directly!
2017 MacIntyre Astra
Naramata Chardonnay
6X750ml
SKU #554253 $35.00 Wholesale
80% BARREL FERMENTED | 20% STEEL FERMENTED
This is a Chardonnay that combines a new and old world style. The nose opens with citrus and floral notes and the palate hints at the tropical, with peach, pear and a hint of honey and red apple, backed up by an underlying minerality. Acidity is bright and crisp, which gives the wine extended ageing potential.
2017 is still relatively youthful as it combines a bit of Old World styling with the best of the New World. It was tasted alongside 2016, and the nose is fresher here with brighter floral, fresh cut apple, citrus notes to open. 75 percent of the fruit is barrel fermented in French oak, and the remainder is processed in stainless steel. Again the saving grace is the acidity that sharpens up the mid-palate of honey, red apples, mineral, lees, and a touch of butter. We appreciate a slightly tighter focus and hope the wine continues down this road in the future. When Drew Macintyre decided to launch his two Heritage Reserve labels, the names Astra and its merlot brother Ardua were chosen as an ode to his father, who was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The airmen's motto is Per Ardua ad Astra, through adversity to the stars. 91 points Anthony Gismondi
2013 MacIntyre Ardua
Naramata Merlot
3X750ml
SKU #479782 $60 Wholesale
MERLOT 90% | CABERNET FRANC 10%
This wine is inspired by the great wines of Pomerol. The bouquet is of rich dark fruit, leather and spice, with an herbal note threading through. Ripe black fruit follows onto the palate and tannins are still firm, but ripe. Decant for drinking now or cellar for 10 to 15 years.
Owner Drew MacIntyre’s love affair with merlot continues with year two of Ardua, a high-end merlot label released to honour his father and push the team at Lake Breeze to reach for the stars. MacIntyre’s father was a member of the RCAF, so when he decided to launch the MacIntyre range, Astra the chardonnay, and its merlot brother Ardua, were selected as an ode to his father and the Royal Canadian Air Force motto - Per Ardua ad Astra - meaning through adversity to the stars. The Lake Breeze Naramata Bench vineyard is home to the fruit for Astra, but we have to wait one more year before we see the Naramata version of Ardua. 2013 is opaque with lifted black cherry on the nose. The attack is warm and spicy previewing an even warmer, expressive red full of lifted black fruits, chocolate and toasted oak. It’s still youthful and angular and needs to shed some oak tannins. Production is tiny (fewer than 300 cases), and it is virtually snapped up via the McIntyre mailing list. 90 points Anthony Gismondi
