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McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay 2023
McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay 2023

McLean Creek Rd Chardonnay 2023

$32.26
93 Points, Christopher Waters, Globe & Mail

This Chardonnay is hand-harvested from our home site on McLean Creek Road in Okanagan Falls. 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 wine aged for 11 months in 100% French oak barrels (22% new). We produced only 373 cases.

Specifications

  • Alcohol 13.5%
  • Acidity 6.9 g/L
  • Appellation Okanagan Falls
  • Bottling Date August 24, 2024
  • Harvest Date September 5, 2023
  • ph 3.53
  • Region Okanagan Valley
  • Type White
  • Varietal Chardonnay
  • Vineyard McLean Creek Road Vineyard
  • Vintage 2023
  • Winemaker Chris Carson

  • Notes

    Winemaker Notes

    The 2023 growing season was an interesting one that really started in early November 2022 when we had an abrupt shift from late summer to winter. Followed up by extremely cold temperatures in December, we went into 2023 with some apprehension. While our Pinot Noir seemed to fare quite well, our Chardonnay was significantly down. Bud break happened at a normal time for our vineyards in early May, after which we experienced a strong growth period. By early June, vine growth was quite advanced, and we were ahead of a typical season; flowering was three weeks ahead of the previous year and veraison began the last week of July. We prepared for an early harvest, which began on September 5th. While our crop was light, the quality was exceptional, and the flavours and acid balance were excellent, some of the best we’ve had here at Meyer.

    Vineyard Notes

    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. We practice 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.

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