B.C Pinot Noirs snapping at Burgundy’s heels

This weekend in The Vancouver Sun, wine writer and Wine Align judge Anthony Gismondi featured our wines in his article titled “B.C Pinot Noirs snapping up Burgundy’s heels”. The almost full page spread in the August 5th paper talks about the recent article in UK’s Decanter Magazine “The Best Pinot Noirs in the world (outside of Burgundy)” and the 2016 National Wine Awards of Canada. 

In the feature, Gismondi reviews and writes up all 5 of our 2014 Pinot Noir and says: “Winemaker Chris Carson is responsible for the Meyer style, beginning with a very clear directive to make wine that reflects the single vineyard of its origin. Carson’s style is minimalist at best, and using the classic Burgundian method all wines are made the same way to allow each vineyard to tell its story. It places Meyer in a small group of B.C. wineries focused on terroir and sub-appellations. It’s these unique sites that justify the care that goes into making top quality wine and its commensurate high shelf price.”

The weekly wine picks featured as follows …. some very impressive scores!

93 Points – Micro Cuvée Pinot Noir

“The Micro Cuvée is all about winemaker Chris Carson and his personally selected barrels that make what he terms the “most harmonious blend” of McLean Creek Road Vineyard. This is full blown New World Pinot, a bit reminiscent of Central Otago. Round silky and ripe on the palate, the fruit is a mix of dark plums and cherries with a spicy, dried thyme undercurrent. Full and long and persistent, it is clearly harmonious. Bravo.”

92 Points – Old Block Pinot Noir

“The Old Block is one of the original 1994 plantings (clone unknown), and is part of the largest block of Pinot Noir (one acre) at McLean Creek Road. It has a steep southerly aspect to capture the full range of the sun, and in 2014 it got all the sun and more. The site was replanted in 2009 and it only came into full production in 2014. Finesse, length and sweet Pinot notes with silky tannins are the story here, and it looks as if these vines will have a bright future. Love the brightness and the absence of oak influence — take note competitors.”

91 Points – Reimer Vineyard Pinot Noir

“East Kelowna is home to this juicy, spicy, alive version of Pinot Noir. The nose is a mix of jasmine and super ripe black cherries. The attack is sweet Pinot, with silky, round, juicy, soft fruit awash in ripe, red berries, dried herbs and a touch of brown spice. Love the balance between the acid and alcohol here, and the back-end persistence. This is a new level of quality for B.C. Pinot. Grilled salmon, whole roasted chicken or mushroom risotto.”

90 Points McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir

“McLean Creek Road Vineyard is on the home site. It’s relatively steep, faces south, west, and northwest and sits over a mix of stony/sandy alluvial and glacial deposits. The vines mix five different Burgundian clones, both Pommard and Dijon, on three distinct blocks. The nose is a mix of rhubarb and strawberry with a touch of forest floor. The attack is firmer and drier than the “Okanagan blend,” with more spice and mid-palate weight and surprisingly some grippy tannins in the back end. Definitely a candidate for duck or grilled salmon.”

89 Points – Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir

“The introductory Pinot simply labelled Meyer bears an Okanagan Valley designation and blends fruit from the home property on Mclean Creek Road Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, Reimer Vineyard in South East Kelowna and two East Kelowna sites. Certainly the ripest Pinot we have tasted from Meyer but what makes this better than past years is its juicy character. Cran-cherries, rhubarb, raspberry fruit covers the palate with silky, mouth-filling Pinot texture. Fine quality and style and perfect with chicken or duck and or mushroom dishes. Good value.”

The full article is available on www.VancouverSun.com