Best in Show: Nk'Mip Pinot Noir 2005

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Best in Show Nk'Mip Pinot Noir 2005

This year's Best in Show winner is a poignant symbol of the success story that is B.C. wine.—D. Scholefield

Nk’Mip (pronounced “Ink-a-meep”), North America’s first aboriginal-owned winery, was founded in 2002 as a partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band and Vincor Canada. The Band has been growing top-quality fruit at Inkameep Vineyards since 1968, which explains the “overnight” success of Nk'Mip Cellars. Winemaker Randy Picton pragmatically describes the 2005 Nk’Mip Pinot Noir as “ a wine born of passion... passion and hard work. It was a total team effort, involving a lot of people taking an extra step. It’s a very hands-on wine.” Crop yield was kept below two tons per acre. The south sides of the vineyard rows were picked on October 6; the north sides not until October 27. The fastidious attention to detail produced 1,000 cases of fragrant, supple, state-of-the-art berry-flavoured B.C. Pinot. Our judges’ last word: “a steal at the price.”

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BACK TO WINE AWARDS

Read more in the Wine Awards guide:

The Year in Wine: A look at the top wine trends from 2006
Show-Stopping Bargains: All our winners are great buys, but these six elicit special mention.