Aasha Wines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rose
I was so impressed with the bottles, the storytelling in the tasting notes and the gorgeously designed website of Aasha Wines that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these mystical bottles. There are gorgeous illustrations on the labels, and they are sealed with wax to protect the corks. I know you can’t judge a book by its cover, nor a wine by its label, but they really did draw me in. It was love at first sight.
Aasha is the Hindi name for hope, chance, and prospect, as well as the name of one of the owner’s grandmothers. The winery is situated on 2.8 acres in the Naramata Bench, and they keep their yields low and strive to produce wine that showcases the terroir. The vineyard sits on a south-facing slope, with silty loam soil, and was planted in 2007 with rows of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier. Aasha also sources from other Okanagan and Similkameen vineyards, and the wines are made at Okanagan Crush Pad under the supervision of Pascal Madevon, of Osoyoos Larose fame.
2018 Pinot Noir – In a Moment
This delicious wine was an excellent pairing with a pork roast I made. It was produced from grapes from Mariposa Vineyard in Cawston and Lost Acres Vineyard in Kelowna, an interesting combination of Similkameen and Okanagan grapes that are not often bottle-mates. Plums and dark cherries are apparent, with some herbaceous characteristics and savoury, smokey notes, tobacco, and leather, from time spent in new and old French barrels. I loved it now, but it could be laid down for a few years with the expectation that it would emerge as a more serious contender.
2019 Chardonnay – Beautiful Wall
This wine is a nice example of the careful use of French and American oak, bringing out some coconut and vanilla bean flavours on top of the mango, ripe apple, and pineapple from the fruit. I’m team oak when it comes to Chard and would particularly enjoy this dish with some buttery scallops or sole Meunier.
2020 Pinot Noir Rose – Better Days
I’m such a big rose all-day person and this wine could certainly be enjoyed chilled on a summer patio but has the potential to be taken more seriously and paired with something with a bit of spice. It’s got some sweetness to take the edge out of the kick of something like Mapo Tofu, or Hot Pot. You’ll find some floral notes, ripe strawberry flavours, mango and a bit of lengthy texture in this wine.
