NEW, fresh, approachable.
IMBZZL is a new retail exclusive second label from Laughing Stock Vineyards. As you may recall, Laughing Stock was purchased by Arterra Wines Canada a couple years back.
Marketing explains this wine as a "...little darling with a lot of attitude and 100% Okanagan grown. A play on imbibe & embezzle, IMBZZL wine are bold, unique and expertly crafted - you'll feel like you just pulled off a sneaky steal when you get your hands on a bottle."
The three wines under this label are: Ruse Rose; Fast One - Red Blend; Double Cross - Pinot Gris.
Merlot, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc are blended from South Okanagan sites and aged in French and American oak for 12 months.
Patchouli and cherry twizzler, oak spice and pipe tobacco aromas lead to an approachable palate with admirable weight on the tongue and freshness to balance. The finish trails dark cocoa, espresso and cigar ash flavours. A solid BBQ red.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 16th, 2021

NEW, pretty, pristine.
IMBZZL is a new retail exclusive second label from Laughing Stock Vineyards. As you may recall, Laughing Stock was purchased by Arterra Wines Canada a couple years back.
Marketing explains this wine as a "...little darling with a lot of attitude and 100% Okanagan grown. A play on imbibe & embezzle, IMBZZL wine are bold, unique and expertly crafted - you'll feel like you just pulled off a sneaky steal when you get your hands on a bottle."
The three wines under this label are: Ruse Rose; Fast One - Red Blend; Double Cross - Pinot Gris.
Syrah dominant, the 2020 rose is peachy-pink and suggests pretty notes of watermelon and sweet cherry, orange blossoms. honey and pink grapefruit. It has a pristine character and is off-dry (3g/L) with flavours of red berry, citrus and lavender soap with a hint of wild herbs. It's a bit hot, which makes sense coming in at 14% alc., and a candied finish.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 16th, 2021

Rich, creamy, lengthy.
This small cap (100 cases made) amphora natural wine has been produced at LFNG for seven vintages. The grapes come from the Perfect Hedge Vineyard in Osoyoos and a small portion from the Murray Vineyard on Naramata Bench.
As a "natural wine' it is: hand harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, no enzymes are used, no additives other then minimal amounts of sulpher, unfined and unfiltered with no heavy manipulation.

The blend is Viognier and Rousanne, made in 500L amphora of terracotta clay.
The wine exhibits aromas of tangerine and peach tea, smoked cedar, west stone and hints of vanilla and wildflower honey. Rich and creamy but bright, the palate mimics the nose. Oxidative orange and yellow fruits and spice flavours lead to a bitter orange and tobacco finish. It has considerable phenolic texture and good length; alcohol is 14+%.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 12th, 2020

Rich, fresh, generous.
The small cap amphora natural wines have been produced at LFNG for multiple vintages. The 2020 Amphora Syrah is a wine club exclusive and only 120 cases were made.
It is a co-fermented blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier. At harvest they placed whole berry Syrah grapes into three 500L terracotta vessels and closed the lids. After 10 days, the natural wild ferment began at a low temperature and slowing progressed for 5 weeks. This hands-off approach resulted in slower extraction from the grape skins, while the tannin worked as a natural antioxidant to the wine.
The wine was left in the Amphorae fully untouched for 6 months. The wine was then pressed off, bottled and hand waxed.
Expect rich plummy aromas, Christmas cake, chocolate, soy sauce, fresh tobacco and undertones of black raspberry. It has a supple mouthfeel and generous weight with purple fruit, cola spices, coffee and pepper. Harmonious and delicious with a chocolaty finish.
15.4% ABV
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2021

Under the capsule, the 2011 vintage of Blind Trust reveals its secrets - it's a blend of Merlot (47%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Malbec (31%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Syrah (4%).
It's a succulent wine, which stars smoked meat, roasted plums, dried herbs and brown spice, grilled peppers and coffee atop intense purple and black fruits. The palate shows restraint; flavours of small dark berries and tobacco, dusty plums and peppers culminate in a persistent finish. Very good balance and freshness.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 24th, 2013