Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThree years down the road from our last tasting, we were knocked out by the mature nose of this merlot cabernet -franc blend. There is an intense core of red-black, plummy fruit with a wonderful savoury, desert scrub undercurrent. The tannins are mostly resolved, and the 15.5 percent alcohol is not a factor given the lovely balance of this wine. It's in a wonderful space right now, so drink it if you have it. Should hold through 2027. Owner Drew MacIntyre has had a long love affair with merlot inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux's Pomerol region and Tuscany's Bolgheri region. In 2012, The Lake Breeze owner decided to pursue his dream of making a high-end merlot and chardonnay 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, the names Astra, and its merlot brother Ardua, were chosen 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, and since 2014 what goes into Ardua. There is minimal production of either wine (less than 300 cases), and it is virtually snapped up via the McIntyre mailing list. It's a concept Drew MacIntyre learned from his many years as an active buyer on the famous Harlan mailing list in Napa Valley. It was tasted as part of a vertical tasting of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.Tasted: 17 August 2020Tasted by: Prices:
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOwner Drew MacIntyre has had a long love affair with merlot, inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux's Pomerol, and Tuscany's Bolgheri. In 2012, the Lake Breeze owner decided to pursue his dream of making a high-end merlot and chardonnay 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, the names Astra, and its merlot brother Ardua, were chosen 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, and since 2014 has been home to Ardua. There is very little production of either wine (fewer than 300 cases), and it is virtually snapped up via the McIntyre mailing list. It's a concept Drew MacIntyre learned from his many years as an active buyer on the famous Harlan mailing list in Napa Valley. The '12 Ardua is beginning to show its class after five years, expressing the fruit and freshness that is the hallmark of Naramata Bench merlot. The core of aromas and flavours comes from a blueberry and blackcurrant, with a savoury undercurrent and well-managed tannins that persist through a long warm finish (sporting 15.5 percent alcohol). However, it's not a factor in the final taste. Good, and getting better in the bottle. Drink through 2022.Tasted: 27 February 2017Tasted by: Prices:
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