LAUGHING STOCK VINEYARDS | Blind Trust Red | 2020
merlot | cabernet sauvignon | syrah | malbec | cabernet franc | petit verdot

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Founded in 2003 by David and Cynthia Enns on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, Laughing Stock Vineyards has quickly established itself as a noteworthy player on the British Columbia wine map. Leaving behind successful careers in finance, the couple pursued their passion for winemaking, with the goal set on quality and creativity over quantity and profitability. With a focus on producing small lots of high-quality wine with meticulous attention to every small detail, from vineyard management to fermentation and ageing, the end result are wines that would intrigue any wine enthusiast- or wine critic- alike.
Today we are going to review a very intriguing and quite exceptional wine blend from Canada – Blind Trust Red 2020 by Laughing Stock Vineyards. This wine is a striking Bordeaux-styled blend of no fewer than six grape varieties: merlot (39%), cabernet sauvignon (21%), syrah (14%), malbec (12%), cabernet franc (10%) and petit verdot (4%), where merlot and cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, syrah enhances the wine’s color, malbec forms a more refined mid-palate, while cabernet franc and petit verdot offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish, while also enhancing the wine’s aromatic profile with delicate dusty and floral notes, thus delivering extra complexity to the final blend.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the estate’s vineyards with southwest exposure in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 15 months in french oak barriques, with additional bottle ageing before it is deemed ready for the market release. The wine’s blending formula changes every year in order to create and maintain a courageous representation of the Okanagan Valley‘s true potential.

Mountainsides, oceans, lakes and the only classified desert in Canada combine to create a diverse climate that allows to produce a wide variety of grapes and wine styles. The Okanagan Valley lies at the outer limits of viticulture – it sits right below the 50th parallel, yet unlike Champagne, Okanagan Valley is dry, sunny, and hot. It is noted for its diverse climate and geological features, which present optimal growing conditions for a wide range of grape varieties.

That being said, the growing season in Okanagan Valley is quite short, but due to the long daylight hours in summer and the proximity to the lengthy (134 km) Lake Okanagan which moderates temperature extremes, the Okanagan Valley get’s all the necessary conditions for quality grape growing. The Okanagan Valley was once a huge glacier, therefore the soils here are mostly sandy with white clay-silt on top of gravelly glacial sands with limestone, granite and other gravels of ancient volcanic origin. These unique terroir traits result in wines that have high aromatic intensity, pronounced minerality, mouth-zapping acidity and subtle tannins.

One clever technique that the winemakers developed in the last couple of years is to pick grapes at multiple points throughout the harvest season. Then, grapes from different harvest lots are blended together to create a more balanced and complex wine blend (even though it might be just one grape variety involved in the blending process). Wines made with this method display both ripe fruit flavors and high natural acidity. Compared to wines from other cool or moderate regions, those from Okanagan Valley display richer flavor, more vibrant acidity, and silky tannins, making them distinct to its peers.

color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble garnet shades at the rim

In the glass this wine presents a deep ruby color with hazy garnet shades at the rim, indicative of both, the wine’s youthful state and the grape varieties that make the blend.

intensity: pronounced & fruity-expressive
fruit character: ripe

The aromatic profile is pronounced and fruity-expressive, dominated by dark fruit notes like dark cherries, black plums, blackberries or aronia berries, with subtle dusty and sandy hints from volcanic soil. In the background, spicy and oaky notes emerge as well, with nuances of cloves and tobacco, paired with undertones of peppercorn and nutmeg, along with some subtle hints of violets, thus creating a mesmerizing aromatic sophistication on the nose.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: long & lasting | aftertaste: grippy-astringent

On the palate, the wine feels bold and well-structured, showcasing a firm mouthfeel with grippy tannins. A harmonious interplay of ripe fruit flavors and baking spice emerges, with an unexpected lush richness that is rarely found in bold red wines. The wine’s vibrant acidity adds freshness, while a touch of alcoholic warmth lingers pleasantly on the mouthfeel. All those elements combine to create a appealingly-seedy texture on the palate, resulting in a bold yet elegant wine blend.

maturity: developing | drink now or better age for at least 4 or 5 more years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a rich, complex, and expressive wine blend, with a firm structure on the palate and pleasantly-grippy mouthfeel – a wine that exhibits significant ageing potential. While ready to enjoy today, a further 4 to 5 years of cellaring will allow the wine to develop even more elegance, refinement and greater depth of flavor, delivering thus highly-prized tertiary notes that would further enhance the already complex and sophisticated aromatic profile of the wine. This is a great wine indeed and one of the best we have tasted so far.

LAUGHING STOCK VINEYARDS | Blind Trust Red | 2020
variety: merlot | cabernet sauvignon | syrah | malbec | cabernet franc | petit verdot
country: Canada
region: British Columbia | Okanagan Valley
rating: 95.8

Consider pairing this wine with a hearty beef bourguignon or a rosemary-infused rack of lamb. The wine’s robust character will complement the rich textures and savory flavors of the dish, while its acidity will cut through the meal’s richness, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures, thus enhancing the overall wine tasting experience to the realms of excellence.

Laughing Stock Vineyards derives its name from the reactions of David and Cynthia’s former colleagues who were shocked by their decision to leave their successful finance careers for the challenges of winemaking. Their journey reflects the courageous pursuit of passion and belief regardless of the critical public opinion.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!