Nota Bene Public Release Dates Announced

Exclusive opportunities to access Black Hills Estate Winery's Iconic Red Wine 

From the startup days in the late 1990s when a hand-painted "sold out" sign hung outside a Quonset hut, to today's ultra-modern Wine Experience Centre on Black Sage Road, wine lovers congregate at Black Hills Estate Winery for their chance at a case of Nota Bene. Made by Black Hills Estate Winery since the 1999 debut vintage, Nota Bene dazzles palates with its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend.

Now as the beloved British Columbia winery celebrates its 20th anniversary year, the public release of the 2017 Nota Bene ($59.99) is imminent.

While Black Hills wine club members gain first access to the releases, the winery sets aside a small allocation of cases for the public and retail partners. In early September, winemaker Ross Wise will visit Vancouver for a series of events featuring the beloved flagship wine. 

 The public release and celebration of the winery's 20th anniversary commences with a public tasting at Everything Wine Morgan Crossing on September 3, followed by a ticketed dinner at Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar. On September 4 and 5, additional opportunities to taste and Nota Bene occur at Legacy Liquor Store, Swirl Wine Store and Marquis Wine Cellars. [Full details follow at end of release.]

 The winery team has had an overwhelming response to the pre-release of this vintage, and critical accolades include a 95-point score. The 2017 Nota Bene vintage is now sold out online. Only available at the limited September release to restaurants and select fine wine stores, the 2017 Nota Bene is expected to sell swiftly. 

The Latest Vintage of Nota Bene

Black Hills Estate Winery senior winemaker Ross Wise has assembled the final blend of the 2017 Nota Bene. Unmistakably Nota Bene on the nose, the 2017 vintage shows cassis, dark berry and cherry aromas, alongside notes of cedar and dark chocolate. Fresh berry fruit and French oak flavours shape the palate, with additional complexity coming from hints of mint and sage. Silky and elegant tannins and a creamy texture result in a wine that is approachable in its youth, while its impressive richness and concentration will allow evolution and further complexity over the next 12-15 years. Ample fresh acidity frames a long, fruit-driven finish.

"2017 was a great vintage for Okanagan wines," notes Wise. "The warm and dry summer resulted in concentrated and ripe berries, while cool August and September helped retain crisp and natural acidity and high aromatic intensity. Red wines from this vintage are richly concentrated and have an impressive aging potential."

2017 Nota Bene Release Events 

Tuesday, September 3

Everything Wine - Morgan Crossing

Nota Bene Tasting 

Time: 2 PM - 4 PM

OPEN EVENT

Address: 15735 Croydon Dr #112, Surrey, BC

Black Hills Portfolio Tasting - Sep 3rd

Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar 

Join winemaker Ross Wise at Barrique for a paired

six-course menu prepared by chef Josiah Tam.

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 15333 Pacific Av., White Rock, BC

Price: $120 per person (gratuity and taxes included) 

Limited tickets remain. For tickets please call 604 385 3311

or email josiahtam@barriquerestaurant.ca 

Wednesday, September 4 

Legacy Liquor Store

Nota Bene Long Table Tasting

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Price: $20 per person

Address: 1633 Manitoba St, Vancouver, BC

For tickets go to this LINK or

email  events@legacyliquorstore.com

Swirl Wine Store 

Nota Bene Tasting

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Price: $39.99 per person with $10 credit for any Black Hills wine purchase

Address: 1185 Mainland, Vancouver, BC

For tickets in store or online here:

Black Hills Portfolio Tasting - Sep 4th

Thursday, September 5

Marquis Wine Cellars 

Nota Bene Tasting

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

OPEN EVENT 

Address: 1034 Davie St, Vancouver, BC

About Black Hills Estate Winery 

Founded in 1999, Black Hills Estate Winery produces exclusively from its estate vineyard on the Black Sage Bench, north of Osoyoos, British Columbia. The vineyard microclimate is one of the hottest, driest, and sunniest sites in the South Okanagan, allowing the vines to yield flavourful grapes of balanced intensity. Using sustainable vinicultural techniques and thoughtful winemaking practices, the winery is well-known for its signature blend: Nota Bene, an age-worth Bordeaux-style red blend produced in limited quantities from select barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Black Hills also produces a selection of stunning ultra-premium blends, such as Addendum, Per Se, and Ipso Facto, and varietally-labelled Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Syrah, Tempranillo and Carménère. 

Surrounded by panoramic vineyard views, the Black Hills team welcomes wine lovers to visit their Wine Experience Center in Oliver. This stylish facility provides a unique, sit-down wine tasting experience guided by highly trained wine professionals. Annual summer events held at the facility are bold, exciting and fun. Members of the Black Hills Wine Club enjoy front-of-line access to limited-releases and wines not available to the public.

To learn more, visit blackhillswinery.com and follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.