2017 Chardonnay reviews

Big thanks to Treve Ring for the wonderful reviews of our two newly released Chards - cheers!

2017 Tribute Series Chardonnay, Old Main Road
92 Points, Treve Ring, Gismondi on Wine

"Meyer Family Vineyards are known for their single vineyard chardonnays and pinot noirs. This Tribute Series Chardy is from the family's Old Main Road Vineyard in Naramata, a gently sloping northern aspect site planted in 1996 on silt loams over clay. The 2017 Tribute Series Chardonnay honours Joannie Rochette, a medalled Canadian figure skater. After a gentle pressing, this was fermented long and cool in stainless before heading to French oak (22 percent new) to complete fermentation and rest sur lees for 11 months without battonage. This was then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Structural and boned with reductive threading, this bursts with lemon, green apple, stones, dried thyme spicing and fine mineral salts. This site was planted in 1996 with unknown clone(s)."

2017 McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay, McLean Creek Road
90 Points, Treve Ring, Gismondi on Wine

"Meyer Family Vineyards has made a name for themselves through their single vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir. This is from their 1994-planted Okanagan Falls estate McLean Creek Road Vineyard and its steep, gravel and sandy loams. This was gently pressed, fermented long and cool in stainless with partial native yeast before finishing ferment and 11 months on the lees in French oak (18 percent new) prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. At this youthful age, the oak is up front, bumping up against the melange of apples, lemon, Anjou pear and toasty spice. This years McLean Creek Road entirely skips the reductive flintiness of the previous vintage, and is more about the fruit and frame. Lovely structure in this medium+ wine, and one that will serve this well in your cellar."