One winery that was high on my list to visit in BC was Laughing Stock. I have had the opportunity to exchange emails with owner Cynthia Enns in the past. But, I have never had the opportunity to taste any of the wines. In April I reviewed the 2013 Portfolio and I knew that I had to go out of my way to stop by this winery. When you drive up Naramata Road and arrive at the gate you can’t help but feel a little important. You need to be buzzed in and you snake your way up the driveway to a very intimate tasting room.
2013 Portfolio – Vintages 71464 – $54.95 – ***** – This is the only Laughing Stock wine currently available in Ontario. In short, this wine is exceptional. This is definitely something made for the cellar. That being said it doesn’t take too much to coax some very nice fruit flavours out of the glass if you’re impatient. The nose is heavy with Black Currant, Plum, Blueberry and Leather. The flavours are deep, complex and elegant. Blueberry, Black Cherry, Raspberry, Black Currant are layered over Woodsmoke and Leather. The tannin on this wine will make it difficult to keep around the house. Even though it is already silky smooth and elegant this is a wine meant for a choice spot in your cellar and something to hold onto for another 5-15 years. I can’t wait to get into a bottle of this with a rib steak.
2014 Blind Trust – $26.99 – ***** – This is the “second wine” from Laughing Stock. It’s a Bordeaux style wine and the final blend is hidden under the capsule. This is a fun wine to open with a group of friends to see if they can guess what’s in the bottle. Don’t let the price fool you this is a wine that very easily could sit in your cellar alongside portfolio. This is a little more approachable than Portfolio but it’s still quite young and tight. The nose is slightly violet, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry. The flavours are heavy and raspberry, cherry and moves to black currant and blackberry, with wisps of smoke working their way out of the glass. The tannin is quite firm but the wine is approachable even in its youth.
2015 Pinot Gris – $19.99 – **** – This is a Pinot Gris that is all about mouthfeel. This sits a little heavy on the mid palate and has a nice creaminess that lets apples and melon linger. This is the definition of a perfect summer wine. The flavours offer a nice intensity, but at the same time it stays light on it’s feet. This will make a match to fish or chicken off the grill or lighter pasta dishes.
2015 Chardonnay – $24.99 – ****+ – Chardonnay may be the easiest way to taste that it’s a little warmer in BC than in Ontario. There is a lot going on in this bottle with Peach, Vanilla, Roasted Apple, Orange and baking spice. There is a nice buttery texture and feel to this wine but even with all the warm fruit flavours this wine finishes with perfectly balanced acidity. This wine is a steal at this price and sipping on this wine is like enjoying a bit of summer in a bottle.
