These are probably my last two BC red wines for me to taste in 2023. The wines come from the Church & State Wines. I have their Church & State Wines Cabernet Franc 2019 and Syrah 2019. While the winery started on Vancouver Island, they do make wines from Okanagan-sourced grapes as well. The Cabernet Franc comes from the terraces of the Black Sage Bench, West Bench of North Osoyoos, and East Oliver. The Syrah comes from the first and third terraces of the Black Sage Bench, and Oliver. Both are fairly limited-production wines. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Church & State Wines Cabernet Franc 2019 (BC $37.38)
From the winery, “Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tank for 20 days then ageing in French oak barrels for 12 months.” 1000 cases were produced.
Appearance: A deep, dull garnet colour in the glass. Tears on the glass with swirling.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of black fruit, black plum and touches of capsicum, oak, and candied cherries. Lighter aromas after decanting with the addition of cinnamon.
Palate: Dry with a round, soft, smooth, thicker mouthfeel. This wine has medium-intensity tannins and acidity. Restrained black fruit flavours plus touches of plum, black cherry, dark chocolate, and oak flavours. A hint of capsicum, nutmeg, and floral, and slightly less mouth-filling with decanting. Medium-plus stronger tannins.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with medium-plus chalky tannins. Juicy blackberries, cherries, and black fruit flavours. A little stronger tannins after decanting.
You get stronger tannins after decanting, so I think it is better to hold this wine a few years to let the tannins mellow a bit before opening and enjoying it with your dinner. But, if you must open it now, have it with food. The tannins are too firm for sipping on its own.
Rating: 
A wine with a tannic backbone that will help it age nicely. It has lighter aromas of black fruits, plums, and touches of capsicum, sweet spices and candied cherries. A dry wine with a smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-intensity tannins and acidity. Restrained black fruits, plums, cherries, dark chocolate and more. Medium-plus length.
Church & State Wines Syrah 2019 (BC $40.25)
From the winery, “Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tank for 20 days then ageing in French oak barrels for 12 months.” 660 cases were produced.
Appearance: Opaque ruby colour with tears on the glass with swirling.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas showing juicy berries, blackberries, ripe plums, toast, and hints of meatiness and oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, smooth, soft and round. Almost mouthfilling. Light acidity. The tannins start light but then firm up toward the finish. Black fruit, juicy berries, blackberries, plums and touches of violets, meatiness and oak on the palate. Slightly firmer, chalky tannins with decanting. It loses the hint of meatiness and gets peppery toward the finish.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with a little firmer tannins. Flavours of black fruit, black pepper, and hints of oak, meatiness and nutmeg. The tannins get slightly stronger after decanting, lose the meatiness and add a touch of violet.
To decant or not is OK, but you get slightly stronger tannins with decanting. An elegant wine.
Rating: A wine with medium-plus intensity aromas of juicy berries, plums, toast and touches of meatiness and oak. A dry, soft, round wine with light acidity. Mainly black fruit and juicy berries, with some violet, meatiness and oak flavours. Tannins get firmer toward the finish. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available for purchase online through the Church & State Wines website:
The Cabernet Franc is available at select Everything Wine stores.
The post Quick Review: Church & State Wines Cabernet Franc and Syrah 2019<span class=”badge-status” style=”background:#D3D3D3″>PR SAMPLE</span> appeared first on MyWinePal.
