Community Review

Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2013

Similkameen Valley, South Okanagan, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score: 4.8/5
Community Reviews: 3

Price: $49.99

Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 15.5%

Drink: 2018-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml
Winery: Road 13 Vineyards

Deborah Podurgiel rated this wine as 97/100 with the following review:

Wow factor 9! From the first line on the back of the label of this very fine wine, “Earth, wind, water, fire and wine: the five elements required to sustain a happy life.” If I had more of this wine, I would have a very happy life indeed. Road 13 Vineyard’s 5th Element 2013 is very impressive, right from the first sniff out of the glass. A deep and rich red wine blend of 45% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 13% Cab Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, there are roasted herbs, liquid dark cherry, black and red currant, purple plum jam on the nose. Then, it opens up into burnt orange peel, black tea and dried, fragrant, spicy tobacco leaf. Dry, polished, elegant, rich and full on the palate with more rich dark cherry – almost Amarone-like, black tea, tobacco leaf and soft savoury spice on the palate finishing with blood orange zest. Tannins are rounded, elegant and there is good acidity in this wine for food.

Most of the wine grapes for the 2013 Fifth Element were sourced from Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen valley with the balance from the Road 13 Castle Vineyard in the Okanagan Valley. The wine was matured in a combination of new and older French oak barrels. Assemblage of the blend was in August 2015. Drink now or hold for three to five years. Pair with a roast leg of lamb or prime rib. We paired it with a venison filet mignon.

This vintage was awarded Gold in the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada, and the 2018 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.

Read Natalie's Full Review

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