Verdant, piquant, tangy.
Bench 1775 was started by Paradise Ranch founder James Stewart who purchased the former Soaring Eagle Estate winery in 2011. The company was re-branded as Bench 1775 and benefits from Val Tait as winemaker and GM.
All the delights of a piquant Savvy, this smart BC version offers key lime and nettle, spring blossoms and crisp peaches with green apples and gooseberry. Tangy and textural, bright and honest but tilting toward lean.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 12th, 2018

Fragrant, generous, textural.
Of this old vine Garnacha and its sibling, the Garnacha and Syrah blend, this one is the stand-out.
Exceedingly aromatic, it doles out fragrant blueberry, raspberry and cherry twizzlers aromas layered with coconut, exptic spices, chocolate, vanilla and licorice. It is generous on the palate with textural tannins to bit into. Chocolate covered blueberries, sarsaparilla, fine spice and chocolate flavours abound in the mouth.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 25th, 2016

Supple, intense, succulent.
Great value at under $17, the Laya is made from bush vines grown on calcareous soil vineyards resting between 700 and 1000 meters above sea level in Alamansa; it's a blend of Garnacha Tintorera (aka Alicante Bouschet) and Monastrell (aka Mourvedre).
Cherry licorice and sweet mocha aromas are layered with vanilla, clove and a hint of white pepper. It has a supple meaty character and flavours of dark chocolate, toasted brown spice, wild herbs and fleshy black fruits.
Pair: Slow roasted or grilled meats, hearty Spanish stews or aged crumbly cheeses.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 8th, 2021

Supple, substance, succulent.
Great value at under $20, the Laya is made from bush vines grown on calcareous soil vineyards resting between 700 and 1000 meters above sea level in Alamansa; it's a blend of Garnacha Tintorera (aka Alicante Bouschet) and Monastrell (aka Mourvedre).
Expect cherries and cedar strawberry jam and licorice aromas, underscored by violets, vanilla, brown spices and chocolate. Sweet and fresh fruit lines a succulent palate along with cocoa and tobacco, coffee, balsamic and spice flavours.
Good substance and suppleness.
Pair: Slow roasted or grilled meats, hearty Spanish stews or aged crumbly cheeses.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 27th, 2024

Value, juicy, supple.
Another excellent value wine from Fowles of Australia. This version offers a tangle of berries - sweet wild blackberries, currents and raspberry with mint, vanilla, smoked spices and rich chocolate. The palate is equally attractive; juicy berries, supple chocolate and exceedingly fresh overall. Good structure, with some tannic structure to add chew.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 28th, 2016