Here are a pair of bottles from 16 Mile Winery that mark the first time they are using estate fruit. As you can see there is definitely something worth checking out here.
2014 16 Mile Rebel Pinot Noir – Winery Only – $22.95 – ****+ – The short note on this wine is that it’s the new benchmark for value Pinot Noir in the province. Everything in this wine is just harmonious from ripe fruit and earth to nice acidity on the finish. The aromas offer ripe cherry with some violet that tries to poke through some of the fruit. On the palate this opens up with nice weight and texture – the floral note from the nose moves to centre stage and is joined with a subtle vanilla note. A damp earthy note starts to make an appearance on the finish but before it can take attention away from the fruit and flowers it is met with nice acidity. The tannin is smooth and this wine is dangerously easy to drink. There is some cellaring potential here if you have more patience or restraint than I, you can keep some bottles around for 3-6 years.
2014 16 Mile Incivility Pinot Noir – Winery Only – $34.95 – ****½ – This wine is certainly a statement. There is a lot of elegance in the bottle – but this wine is also massive. It’s hard to be elegant while screaming at the top of your lungs, but that feels like what is happening here. The aromas are beautifully concentrated cherry, violet and vanilla. The flavours match the nose – but this is what is interesting about the wine. There is nice weight and this sits heavy on the palate but it finishes light on its feet. When you take a sip this goes from cheek to cheek and fills your mouth with violet, cherry and vanilla flavours. The finish is silk as the tannin is relaxed and approachable immediately. This is drinking fantastic right now but should evolve nicely in a cellar for 5-7 years.
