To finish off my second day of wine tasting on the Naramata Bench, I stopped in at TIME Family of Wines in Penticton, where I sampled their Chronos and McWatters Collection wines.  The winery was originally owned and managed by the McWatters family, but in 2020 was purchased by Ron and Shelley Mayer who are both native BC’ers.  Chronos is the newest label they brought into TIME Family of Wines.  The other label, which I did not taste at this time, was Evolve Cellars, which is well-known for sparkling wines.

The wines I enjoyed at this tasting fit in with the upcoming holiday season. There is something for everyone: sparkling, aromatic whites, full-bodied whites, several reds, and a dessert wine. Let me tell you about them.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Chronos Brut Sparkling (BC $34.99) – a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. The varietals were fermented separately with some lees stirring on the Chardonnay. Blended for complexity and finished in the cuvée close method. Medium intensity clear lemon colour, with significant bubbles on the top of the wine after being poured.  Nice lees and apples aromas.  Round and mouth-filling.  Higher acidity.  Smaller creamy bubbles.  Crisp apple and lees followed with bitterness.  Medium length.  Tasty. 

Chronos Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (BC $29.99) – grapes from Okanagan Falls. A pale lemon colour.  Light floral and citrus nose.  Light body, slightly off-dry, round and soft mouthfeel.  Light herbaceous flavour with citrus rind toward the finish and some grape stem.  Medium length.

McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2021 (BC $24.99) – A deeper, clear lemon colour.  Light vanilla, bruised apple and pineapple aromas.  This wine is dry, fuller body with a smooth mouthfeel.  Sweet spices, ripe baked apples, pineapple, plus some butterscotch and nutmeg spice on the palate.  Lighter acidity.  Medium-plus length.  –

Chronos Merlot 2020 (BC $29.99) – It has a deeper, dull mix of ruby and garnet colours.  Teardrops on the sides of the glass after swirling. Medium-intensity aromas of ripe black fruits and black pepper.  Dry, with medium-minus body, lightly round and lighter mouthfeel.  Ripe berry flavours along with a touch of pepperiness.  Lighter acidity and tannins.  Medium length.

Chronos Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (BC $39.99) – A deeper, dull, ruby-garnet colour in the glass.  Lighter aromas of dark fruit and capsicum.  Medium-plus body, with a smooth, soft and round mouthfeel. Dark fruit and capsicum on the palate.  Finishes with cherries and a touch of sweet spices.  Drying tannins on the finish.  –

McWatters Collection Meritage 2021 (BC $ available to Club Members only) – a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. It has a medium-plus, dull garnet colour in the glass.  Light aromas of dark fruits and a hint of oak.  Medium-minus body, fruity or off-dry, with a soft and round mouthfeel.  Medium intensity tannins.  Dark fruits, red fruits, and capsicum on the plate.  Firm tannins on the finish.  Medium length.  –

Harry’s Apera NV (BC $26.99) – a sherry-style wine made from Chardonnay grapes. This is a fortified wine where they distilled the Chardonnay.  It has a medium-intensity clear copper colour.  Teardrops were visible after swirling the wine in the glass.  Pronounced aromas; nutty and dried fruits. Medium body, off-dry only surprisingly.  A thick, but soft and smooth mouthfeel.  Lovely sweet spices and dried apricots flavours. A touch peppery.  Light acidity. A delightful wine to sip. –

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

These wines are available to purchase online through the TIME Family of Wines website. The McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2021 is available at BC Liquor stores.

The Chronos Merlot and Chronos Brut sparkling wines are available at Everything Wine stores. The McWatters Collection Chardonnay is also available at Everything Wine stores.

A wide range of Chronos and McWatters Collection wines are available at select Save on Foods stores.

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