McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay 2022

Vineyard Notes

The 2022 vintage was a classic Okanagan growing season with a typical Spring budburst in early May and beautiful weather into June. We had beautiful flowering weather from late June into July which resulted in good yields across the valley. July and August were consistent with previous years although slightly cooler slowing the vines growth cycle. Leading up to harvest, the crop level was significantly higher compared to past vintages and needed more time to ripen. The weather was perfect for ripening with warm days and cool nights providing a lengthy hang time for our Pinot Noir blocks to develop flavours and physiological ripeness. The white varieties were harvested later than normal but the fruit was able to develop a great balance of sugars to acid and superb flavours.

Our family owned “McLean Creek Road Vineyard” was originally planted in 1994. The vineyard is within the Okanagan Falls sub-geographical indication (sub-Gi) which was designated in 2018 and recognized as being geologically unique in the production of wine grapes. It has a predominantly steep southerly aspect with the soil comprised of alluvial and glacial deposits making up a mix of gravel and sandy loams. The Chardonnay is planted in two separate blocks, one on the far east side of the south facing slope and the other on the west end of the slope. The variation of east and west leads to differences in flavour development and in turn more complexity in the finished wine. Although we are not certified organic, we practice organic/sustainable farming principles.

Production Notes

At the winery the fruit was fed directly into the press with an ensuing long gentle pressing employed. Only the finest, purest juice from the early stages of the pressing was used for this wine with the more astringent so called “hard press” kept separate. A long cool fermentation began in stainless steel vessels, employing indigenous and cultured yeast where it remained for most of the ferment. The must was then transferred to 100% French oak (22% new) to complete fermentation. The wine was left “sur lie” for 11 months without battonage. A natural malolactic fermentation occurred in late spring. In keeping with our philosophy to maintain as much as possible a hands-off approach in the cellar to allow the true expression of the terroir this wine is unfined and coarsely filtered.