Tantalus welcomes the Canadian Culinary Champs to Kelowna!

February 8-11, 2012
Tantalus is pleased to celebrate the Gold Medal Plates by hosting the Canadian Culinary Champs from across the country at our second-annual "Welcome Chefs" dinner on February 9th.

Chef Bernard Casavant of Kelowna's Manteo Resort will showcase the best of BC's culinary offerings paired with our premium, single-vineyard wines.

This intimate dinner is an incredible way to kick start the Kelowna competition as well as celebrate our successful history with the CCC - including our "Best Wine" win for our 2009 Old Vines Riesling in Vancouver last fall and our victory at the 2008 Toronto Final with Bearfoot Bistro's Chef Melissa Craig.

Alex Fong and Dr. Murray Roed exhibition

December 1, 2011
"Hello, It's Been Awhile"
Tantalus is pleased to celebrate the artwork of renowned Okanagan artists Alex Fong and Dr. Murray Roed. The exhibition begins with an opening reception on Thursday, December 1st from 6PM to 10PM with wine available by the glass. Both artists will also be in house on December 2nd from 11-5PM. Works will be on display until the 10th.

For more information, please visit: www.alexfong.com

2009 Old Vines Riesling wins GMP's Best Wine!

November 4, 2011
During a sneak preview, our 2009 vintage was unanimously judged Best Wine at the Gold Medal Plates competition held in Vancouver on Nov 4th. This wine will be released next April. With only 100 cases produced, you may wish to reserve your case now by clicking here.

Vancouver Gold Medal Plates

November 4, 2011
A taste of Kelowna in Vancouver!
Gold Medal Plates is the ultimate celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, the arts and athletic achievement. This Canadian Olympic fundraiser features superb wineries and premier chefs in nine cities across Canada in an incredible competition of culinary prowess. Tantalus is proud to partner with fellow Kelowna-based Chef Mark Filatow of Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar in an effort to bring home the Gold!

The Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Drive
Tickets on sale now: www.goldmedalplates.com

An Evening with Canadian super star Chef Jamie Kennedy

October 8, 2011
Join Tantalus and Canadian super star Chef Jamie Kennedy for a very special evening of food and wine. This intimate dining experience is limited to 40 guests and will feature a multi-course dinner prepared by recent Order of Canada inductee Chef Kennedy and a selection of winemaker David Paterson's favourites from the Tantalus cellar. An evening simply not to be missed.
October 8th, 7PM-12AM. Tantalus Vineyards, 1670 Dehart Rd, Kelowna
Tickets are $250 each and include gratuity and HST.
Please contact the winery directly at 250.764.0078 for more information.

Big Accolades for 2008 Old Vines Riesling

November 2011
Vancouver Sun wine critic Anthony Gismondi gives the 2008 Old Vines Riesling an impressive 91 points:
"Freethinking and individualistic, the fruit (essentially grown organically) comes off a single block planted in 1978. Super intense aromas of lime and lemon preview a palate that is equally intense that offers up peachy, stone fruit characters, all with an incredible undercurrent of acidity. This wine will live forever but in the meantime you can drink it with just about any food you can think of. Stock up."

The 2008 vintage also received a top mark of 93 points from Tidings Magazine, Canada's premier food and wine publication. They wrote:
A fine example of Okanagan Riesling with a nose of lemon-lime, peach, lanolin and stony minerality. It's tart and fresh on the palate, made in a dry austere style, with defining minerals to go with a core of citrus fruit. Will age beautifully, or drink now.

Master of Wine James Cluer
awards the 2010 Riesling 96 points

August 30, 2011
Vancouver Sun contributor and Master of Wine James Cluer on our 2010 Riesling: "Tantalus is THE benchmark winery for Riesling in the Okanagan. They make some of the very finest Riesling outside of Alsace and Germany. The wines are bracingly crisp, with gorgeous purity, freshness, concentration and length. I cannot recommend this winery highly enough to lovers of Riesling. Order some before they sell out."

Anthony Gismondi gives high marks to Tantalus 2010 Riesling

August 27, 2011
Vancouver Sun Wine Columnist and Wine Access Magazine editor Anthony Gismondi writes: "... the attack is fresh and crisp, the styling elegant, and the palate a delicious creamy mix of green apple, floral, lime, honey and tangerine flavours." 89 Points.

Natalie MacLean awards Tantalus Riesling 92 points

August 1, 2011
Internationally acclaimed author and wine writer Natalie MacLean awards Tantalus Riesling 92 points! Here's what she had to say about our 2010 Riesling: "A cracking great Riesling, with come-alive lime zest and lemon aromas. Spectacularly juicy and mouth-watering with a finish of Granny Smith apple. Taste and see what BC is capable of when it comes to vibrant Riesling!"

For more information, please visit: www.nataliemaclean.com

James Suckling awards Tantalus 2009 Riesling 92 points

March 2011
Former Wine Spectator contributor and internationally acclaimed wine critic James Suckling recently completed a tasting of Canadian wines. He rated Tantalus 2009 Riesling as the top Riesling of the tasting. "Dense and spicy, with apple pie crust and mineral character. Full and fruity, with bright acidity and a dried apricot aftertaste. Ginger too. Intense. Austrian Riesling like?"

Best in Light White Wines

December 2010
Vancouver Magazine awards Tantalus 2009 Riesling it's Best in Light White Wines. For more information, please visit: www.vanmag.com

2009 Riesling: Named "Stellar Selection"

January/February 2011

Northwest Palate Magazine
2009 Riesling: Named "Stellar Selection"
"Unleashes its trademark green apple, lime zest, and minerally character, bolstered by zippy acidity. Succulent guava and peach flavours burst on the palate. The clean finish lingers with a hint of sweetness not prevalent in previous vintages. A refreshing quaff."
2008 Pinot Noir
"The focused black cherry cola aroma intertwines with subtle toasted spices. The lively acidity accompanies a mix of red berries, black plum, and tangy quinine flavours. Cinnamon stick and licorice resonate on the dry finish. Ready for roast chicken."

Best in the Northwest...

November 10, 2010

Northwest Palate Magazine - Top Northwest Wines 2010
Cole Danehower, editor-in-chief, has this to say about Tantalus 2008 Old Vines Riesling: "Searing acidity delivers penetrating pure varietal and fruit flavours." Find out more

Rhys Pender MW, Savour Magazine

July 2010

2009 Riesling: "Pale Lemon in colour and good intensity aromas of apple, lemon, peach and minerality. The palate has just a hint of sweetness, but is balanced with crisp, racy acidity, a medium body and flavours of ripe peach, apple and grapefruit. Very intense, very long and very racy making for a delicious wine for now or to age for 10 or more years."

2008 Pinot Noir: "The Pinot program at Tantalus is developing at a rapid pace, particularly as new clones start to come into production. The 2008 has fantastic aromas of cherry, clove, raspberry and strawberry with perfumed floral notes and a touch of orange zest. The palate has good texture with chocolate, strawberry, undergrowth, spice and sweet vegetal notes, balanced with quite soft tannins and lingering long on the finish. Barrel samples of the 2009 ensure this wine will be getting more attention in the future."
www.savourmag.com

Rieslings from far and near

June 27, 2010

Calgary Herald rates Tantalus latest Rieslings along with the best of the Mosel and Rheingau
www.calgaryherald.com

Naturally, it's Canadian!

June 2010

Natalie McLean rates Tantalus 09 Riesling
www.greenlivingonline.com

Clean and Lean...

May 21, 2010

Tantalus Vineyards' Unveils BC's First LEED Winery in Okanagan Valley
by Tim Pawsey

"Tantalus Vineyards has emerged as the Okanagan's de facto flagship Riesling producer—and rightly so.

For the last few years the winery operated out of the former Pinot Reach facility—a delightful, if somewhat rustic arrangement not entirely conducive to the task at hand. However, the just-opened new winery is a stunner. Not only that, it's BC's first (we hope of many) certified LEED winery, and includes a Sequencing Batch Reactor waste water system (that biologically converts all sewage and winery waste into reusable grey water)"...
www.hiredbelly.com

Icon Wines

December 2009

Tantalus Pinot Noir 2007 - an excellent Terroir driven Pinot. 92+ points
www.iconwines.ca

Fine Vintage by James Cluer

December 2009

Watch Master of Wine James Cluer's video of his visit to Tantalus
www.finevintageltd.com

Tasting Room Radio

November 2009

Terry David Mulligan interviews Tantalus for his Tasting Room radio show. November 21st , Hour 2.
www.tastingroomradio.com

The Globe and Mail

November 2009

The Globe and Mail's Beppi Crosariol and YouTube's Gary Vaynerchuk talk Tantalus.
www.theglobeandmail.com

Vines Magazine : 2007 Pinot Noir

November 2009

"This truly impressive wine suggests Pinot Noir is beginning to rival Riesling for excellence at Tantalus. The nose reveals gorgeous aromas of sweet raspberry, dark cherry, tea leaves , rose petal and cedar, while its softly textured palate shows exquisite balance and length. Look for dark cherry, raspberry, beetroot and spicy oak flavours..."

Northwest Palate Magazine awards Tantalus 2007 Old Vines Riesling

September 2009

2007 Old Vines Riesling: "Dry. Buckets of green apple and lime on the nose, with petrol notes peaking through. Spikes of tropical fruit pop up on the palate. The soaring acidity and scintillating texture make your mouth water, while the slab of slate on the back end dries it out. Savor the long-lasting peach afterglow. Serve with Dungeness crab."

Read Jancis Robinson's latest review of Tantalus Riesling.

August 2009

She had this to say about her first visit to the British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. "The countryside is stunning. A ribbon of lakes with sandy beaches threaded between slopes of Ponderosa pines, granite cliffs and vine-covered benchland..."
Download PDF file: 28 Kb

Northwest Palate Magazine : Wineries to Watch

November 2008

"Tantalus Vineyards makes tantalizing Riesling - including one from 30 year old vines - and tempting Pinot Noir from their estate located outside Kelowna. Vineyard manager Warwick Shaw, winemaker Matt Holmes, and general manager Jane Hatch make a triumphant team."

Essential Vancouver: Where Vancouver

Annual 2008 / 2009

Riesling on the rise. Tantalus Vineyards tends some of the region's oldest plantings...
Download PDF file: 2.3 Mb

Northwest Palate Magazine : Pick of the Palate

July / August 2008

Tantalus 2006 Old Vines Riesling receives highest rating.
Download PDF file: 176 Kb

Vines Magazine : 2006 Old Vines Riesling
"a stunning Riesling..."

July 2008

"A stunning Riesling with weight, balance and complexity, it will continue to develop and improve with further aging. It shows alluring fragrances of honey, lime, mineral and smoky petrol and an elegant palate featuring brilliantly balanced flavours of juicy grapefruit, white peach and gooseberry."

Anthony Gismondi : 2006 Pinot Noir
"Raspberry, cedar, rhubarb, smoky, spicy..."

June 2008

"Minty, fresh brewed tea, licorice, cherry, floral, cedar-y nose. Fresh, dry, slightly tannic entry with some finesse. Raspberry, cedar, rhubarb, smoky, spicy, worsteshire, floral, rooty flavours with a meaty, light barnyard finish..." 87 points"

John Schreiner : 2006 Old Vines Riesling
"A daring, edgy, bone-dry wine..."

February 2008

"A daring, edgy, bone-dry wine. The almost piercing acidity of its youth is the hallmark of a great ageworthy Riesling. At this stage in its life, it has tangy lime flavours framed by the slatey mineral notes that only old vines can deliver. The wine is intensely focussed, brilliantly fresh and crisp now. It is bottled under screw caps, an assurance that the zesty aromas and flavours will still be there a decade from now. 91 points."

City Living Magazine : Tantalus Pinot Noir named Wine of the Month

October 2007

"Thoroughly enchanting Pinot Noir. Nose shows fresh, intense aromas of strawberry and red cherry fruit, plus intriguing nuances of violet, earth and vanilla. The medium bodied, smoothly textured palate combines ripe, rich raspberry fruit and notes of sweet, spicy oak. Tannin is finely grained and silky."

Anthony Gismondi : 2006 Riesling
"A crisp, lip smacking style..."

August 2007

"Similar to the 05 the latest Tantalus has an equally inviting floral, orange blossom peachy nose with a high dose of minerality and a pinch of salt. Almost Mosel-like in its crispness and red apple crunch with more lime rind and green peach flavours in the finish. A crisp, lip smacking style that will appeal to the purists and food lovers. 89 points."

Tantalus Old Vines Riesling featured during
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to Chile

July 17, 2007

Tantalus 2005 Old Vines Riesling was chosen exclusively to represent Canadian wines during the Chile-Canada Chamber of Commerce business luncheon attended by both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria.

Vines Magazine

June 2007

Tantalus 2005 Old Vines Riesling rated an "Absolute Stunner". "This powerfully structured and concentrated Riesling displays grapefruit and white peach, plus a note of tropical fruit on the nose, followed by crisp, lip smacking flavours of lime zest and mineral with a touch of honey-like richness to balance the lemony, steely acidity."

Northwest Palate Magazine March 2007

March 2007

Tantalus 2005 Old Vines Riesling - "Dry. Austere green apple, slate and petrol aromas announce the sophisticated Mosel style. The palate follows through with jolts of lime, gooseberry, and mineral; shimmering acidity; and a fine high-toned structure. The crab apple finish lasts for ages, capping off this noble inaugural effort. Shows excellent ageing potential; also gorgeous now with sablefish and lime wasabi foam."

BC Wine & Oyster Festival

January 29, 2007

Tantalus 2005 Riesling Awarded Gold and "Best in Show" as well as voted People's Choice Favourite Wine.

Jancis Robinson proclaims Tantalus Riesling
in Top 10 Canadian Wines

January, 2007

From Bordeaux to Napa, it doesn't get any better in the wine world than to receive the stamp of approval of British wine authority Jancis Robinson. The Washington Post called Robinson's Oxford Companion to Wine "the greatest wine book ever published."

Here's what she had to say about her recent tasting of 70 Canadian wines: "The crème de la crème of... Canada "I have done my utmost to score each of these wines in a serious global context rather than in a more flattering Canadian one. That Tantalus Riesling, for example, is well up to the quality of a German 2005 Riesling..." She goes on to describe the 2005 Riesling as "Full, citrus and tropical fruit aromas - passion fruit? Very positive, punchy, pungent fruit - almost like a Marlborough SB (Sauvignon Blanc) in its assault on the palate. Kerpow!... Seriously good."
www.jancisrobinson.com

Vancouver Magazine

January 02, 2007

International Wine Awards Competition Top 100
"Serious Okanagan Riesling with a zap of lemon on the finish"
www.vanmag.com

The Globe and Mail Pick of the Week

December 09, 2006

"The gorgeous product of another makeover story. This is the winery's debut Riesling vintage, made from the concentrated fruit of mature, low yielding vines planted in 1978. It's light, dry and luscious, with a blast of peach flavour and terrific balancing acidity and nuances of citrus and slate."

Beppi Crosariol

Vancouver Sun, B.C. Wine of the Week

August 26, 2006

Love the lime rind, green apple, floral, green peach and mint flavours here and the crisp, lip smacking austere, sophisticated styling for food.

Anthony Gismondi

Northwest Palate Magazine

September / October issue

Dry. Outstanding inaugural effort, made from 28 year old vines. Glows with gorgeous green apple, lime, apricot, flint and spice notes on the nose and palate, show cased by electrifying acidity. Elegant medium bodied structure culminates in a lip smacking mineral finish. Grand now with prawns, but also built to age.

Appellation America

July 5, 2006

Matt Holmes, the young Australian hired to make the 2005 vintage, has scored a brilliant debut with this wine, which seems inspired by the style of Clare Rieslings. The wine begins with citrus aromas, continuing with flavours of fresh limes and minerals. The bright, even racy, acidity gives the wine a crisp signature on the finish. It is a wine made for food. 88 points.

Something to watch for: An 'Old Vines' Riesling 2005 is scheduled for release next year. A pre-release sample that I tasted is very promising, with intense citrus fruit, more concentrated minerals and a tingling acidity. 91 points.

John Schriener