It's hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since the first vintage of Osoyoos Larose. A project like it had never been seen in BC before. It was a joint venture between Canada's Vincor International and Group Taillan of Bordeaux, co-owner of Chateau Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien, which was classified as a Deuxieme Cru Classe in 1855.
 Together they created the Osoyoos Larose estate on an 80-acre semi-arid bench overlooking Lake Osoyoos in the south Okanagan Valley.
To make their iconic Bordeaux-inspired red they hired French winemaker Pascal Madevon.
 Several years back Madevon moved on, and the wines are now under guidance of Caroline Schaller.
Le Grand Vin has been a ponderous style from the onset--but you have to respect that these are wines meant to be aged; I've had a few opportunities to taste some back vintages and time is a friend.
Notes of red currents and white pepper, dried rosemary and sage, leather, plum, brown spice, tobacco and cocoa lead to a youthful and brooding palate. It has a sooty character ans notable texture. The finish is firm and trails tobacco and leather flavours.
Merlot 58%, Cab Sauv 26%, Cab Franc 7% and Petit Verdot 7%.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 13th, 2022

Expressive, powerful, fresh.
Made from: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
Despite a change in winemaker after the 2012 harvest and more than a fifteen years of vine maturity, Le Grand Vin remains consistent in style. Typically a savoury wine, this brighter 2014 is my highest scoring of this wine, since inception.
Sunwarmed black raspberry and cassis, licorice, vanilla, dark cocoa, leather and tobacco aromas delight the senses. The palate is expressive yet powerful, fresh and somewhat textural. It also boasts a silky, glycerol-like weight and a smooth lengthy finish.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 7th, 2017

It's hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the first vintage of Osoyoos Larose. A project like it had never been seen in BC before. It was a joint venture between Canada's Vincor International and Group Taillan of Bordeaux, co-owner of Chateau Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien, which was classified as a Deuxieme Cru Classe in 1855.
 Together they created the Osoyoos Larose estate on an 80-acre semi-arid bench overlooking Lake Osoyoos in the south Okanagan Valley.
To make their iconic Bordeaux-inspired red they hired French winemaker Pascal Madevon.
 Several years back Madevon moved on, and the wines are now under guidance of Caroline Schaller.
I'll admit I've struggled with Le Grand Vin's Ponderous style from the onset. I do respect that these are wines meant to be aged; I've had a few opportunities to taste some back vintages and age does soften the edges.
However, the 2017 (Merlot 61%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 12%, Petit Verdot 7.6% and Malbec 5% aged 12 months in a 60/40 split of new and one-year-old French barrels) is more harmonious than previous vintages.

The nose depicts charred cherries and Ribena, toasted baking spices, vanilla, orange peel, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas. It has concentration and depth, a supple mid-palate and sooty cocoa finish. Nice balance here, a full-bodied red that will coalesce more with time, but is drinking nicely now.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 5th, 2021

Supple, spicy, muscular.
The little brother to Le Grand Vin is a fairly consistent blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec & Petit Verdot.
The 2019 vintage delves in with aromas of plums and black currents, vanilla liqueur and espresso, rich soil, dark spice and toasted nuts. The palate is muscular but supple and with balance. savoury and earthy it's a honest red with salty undertones.
Pair: Grilled or roasted meats, stews, puy lentils with savoury herbs, aged hard cheeses.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 12th, 2022

Succulent, spicy, espresso.
The little brother to Le Grand Vin is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec & Petit Verdot, in that order.
As is classic to this estate, the wine is dark and savoury, earthy and spicy with roasted espresso, tobacco, leather alongside black currents and plums. High-toast on the palate, sunbaked earth, toasted spices and black fruits with a bitter cocoa vein to the finish.
A solid wine - almost chewy but fresh.
Pair: Grilled or roasted meats, stews, puy lentils with savoury herbs, aged hard cheeses.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 16th, 2015