Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2013 Wine Review

Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2013

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

Community Score:96/100

Community Reviews: 3

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Price: $49.99

Drink: 2018-2023

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 15.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Road 13 Vineyards

Natalie's Score: 96/100

An extraordinary wine from BC's Road 13 winery. The 5th Element from the 2013 vineyard cries out for more cellar time. This is a complex, concentrated red wine blend of 45% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot grapes. Aromas of dark fleshy berries, smoke, dark spice and herbs. Gorgeous velvet texture and a finish that lasts forever. The grapes are grown in the winery's Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley as well as the Road 13 Castle Vineyard in the Okanagan Valley. The wine was aged new and second use French oak barrels. This will hold strong in the cellar for 5-10 years or more. Pair with lamb with rosemary.

This Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2013 was reviewed on May 20, 2021 by Natalie MacLean

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BCLDB
45922
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Reviews and Ratings

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate - Certified Sommelier 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.

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

Stunning, from one of Canada's top wineries! 45% Merlot 18% Syrah 19% Cab Sauv 13% Cab Franc 5% Petit Verdot, grown primarily in the Similkameen. Aromas of currant, blueberry, leather, smoke and dried herbs. Full bodied with well structured tannins, and nicely balanced ripe black fruit on the palate. More spice and leather on the finish. Tasted in 2021 again this wine would benefit from 1-2 hours decanting, or you could cellar it for 5+ years further. Pair with braised beef short ribs or a grilled steak.

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Road 13 Vineyards 5th Element 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 96/100

Pricing & Stock Information