Volcanic Hills Lava Red 2021 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

Volcanic Hills Lava Red from the Okanagan Valley is one of British Columbia's most distinctive and unexpected blends, combining Zweigelt, Merlot, Maréchal Foch, Riesling, Gamay and Cabernet Franc into a medium-bodied red that defies easy categorization in the most delightful way. It spent 12 months in oak before a touch of Zweigelt Icewine was folded in just before bottling, lending a whisper of honeyed sweetness to its ripe, generous fruit core of black cherry, bramble and dried plum, with hints of vanilla, clove and a faint floral lift on the nose. It is off-dry with supple, rounded tannins, best served slightly below room temperature, and is drinking beautifully now through 2028. Winemaker George Schales crafts this wine from a winery whose very name is rooted in deep geological history, as the Okanagan Valley was shaped by volcanic peaks during the Jurassic period some 60 to 180 million years ago, giving the soils a mineral complexity that quietly underpins every sip. Pair it with mild beef curry and steamed basmati rice, where the wine's touch of sweetness and dark fruit will play beautifully against the warm spices, or serve it alongside Korean-style grilled short ribs glazed with gochujang and honey, letting the wine's ripe fruit and soft tannins stand up to the bold, caramelized flavours of the dish.

Food pairings: mild beef curries, Korean-style ribs from the grill, tofu stir fry.

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This Volcanic Hills Lava Red 2021 was reviewed on May 28, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

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