In the 17 years we’ve been creating and broadcasting TRR most of the stories and interviews have been about wine  & food.

Slowly but surely, we’ve added tales of cider, no/low wines, and the wild and wonderful world of whisky.

So here’s the mix this week -an exceptional Poplar Grove Merlot and two whisky houses.  Sons of Vancouver and Eau Claire.

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We lead with a special release of Poplar Grove Merlot (2014) and the release of 2020 Merlot. Recorded On Merlot Day.

Along with Hillside, Poplar Grove is one of the originals on The Bench. Prime vineyards and strong leadership.

Now under the direction of the next generation of The  Hollers Family ...our guest is Chris Holler

Chris and I go over the quick history of Poplar Grove, especially its relationship to Merlot (thank you, Ian Sutherland)

Chris takes us through two Merlot releases..

Poplar Grove Merlot 2020 – Gone are the plum and vanilla notes from 2019.   The 2020 has dark ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry, currant and white pepper.

Engaged acidity and tannins to dream about.  $34.70 (at winery)

The star of the releases is the Merlot from the Poplar Grove Library Collection  2014. It takes its place in  the rest of the “collection” –

The Cabernet Franc and the flagship blend The Legacy.

Poplar Grove is the first winery to launch a formal library program, where they hold back a considerable amount of age-worthy wines each year and release them for sale a decade later. Very distinctive bottles and labels are constructed as metal medallions.

The 2014 growing year was the second hottest on record.

Originally it was ruby red, with eucalyptus and sage on the nose.

10 years later is brick red in colour, with notes of dried berry, ripe plum, the palate welcomes raspberry, big cherry and forest floor.

88% Merlot, 5% Cab, 5% Cab Franc, 2% Malbec  $82.52 at Winery.

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James Lester – Partner and co-founder of Sons of Vancouver

James returns to Tasting Room with another simply outstanding whisky.

All tasting notes and flavours in each whisky have been amplified through the fermentation, maturation and blending process only.

The label has the mystery of a great short story. The bottle has 100% Canadian Rye matured in ex-bourbon and a new oak cask.

Lots of ripe fruit, java, fresh-picked mint and Quebec maple syrup.

The palate completes engages the senses. Everything you want in a craft whisky is right here.

If they enter this gem in the Canadian Whisky Awards in January in Victoria..they could very well win their second Whisky of the Year award.

Changing the expectations of craft whisky in Canada, one bottle at a time.

Thank you James….

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Just like James, Caitlin has been with us several times before.

You’ll be reminded when she starts to speak in her thick Edinburgh accent.

When she starts talking about her whisky, Caitlin gets excited and her words spill over each other. But you get the sense that she loves what she does. It shows in the whisky.

Caitlin brings with her Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky – Awarded Best Canadian Whisky at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

dark brown sugar, and vanilla on the finish. Notes of candied ginger. Overall, engaging and smooth.

This delightful whisky will also be considered for Canada  Whisky of the Year in January at the Canadian Awards.

Thank you to all at Eau Claire Distilling.  Well Done

Thank you Caitlin

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