Bella Wines Reserve Brut Nature Oliver Eastside Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI have tasted this wine at least four times, each with different disgorgement lots (thus ever-extended time on lees). NOW with 78 months on lees, only 120 bottles were released. Singularly sourced from Oliver's calcium carbonate-laced Cerqueira Vineyard, this chardonnay was bottled with no dosage, and sulphured only after the first ferment. Deep dough, patisserie, and lees are woven with vanilla-scented meringue and chiselled with lemon pith. There's a lovely potent stream of chalky minerality that runs through the length, holding this taught and vibrant. So well integrated; serious result.Tasted: 22 February 2020Tasted by: Prices:
Bella Wines Reserve Brut Nature Oliver Eastside Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNow with 70 months on lees. Singularly sourced from Oliver's calcium carbonate-laced Cerqueira Vineyard, this chardonnay was bottled with no dosage, and sulfured only after first ferment. Broken stones bed the tight, chalky core, based with quince, kissed with caramels, and tightened with energetic lemon lined sides. Much more knit and refined than the last time I tasted, and an exciting show for the future.Tasted: 23 October 2018Tasted by: Prices:
Bella Wines Reserve Brut Nature Oliver Eastside Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted one year along. This style has been vintner Jay Drysdale's goal from the beginning of Bella: a serious fizz of the calibre of top grower champagne, but bursting with what it means to be Canadian. Singularly sourced from Oliver's calcium carbonate-laced Cerqueira Vineyard, this chardonnay spent forty months on the lees and was bottled with no dosage and sulfured only after first ferment. The searing apple acidity is now starting to relax slightly, with a honeyed warmth that wraps around a tight citrus core. There's a smoked minerality and fine salts on the lengthy finish. Riveting structure, exciting stuff. Very promising future for this project, and this wine. Only 25 cases were released, with the remainder to be held 6-8 years. Looking forward to tasting again then.Tasted: 10 July 2017Tasted by: Prices:
Bella Wines Reserve Brut Nature Oliver Eastside Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis style has been vintner Jay Drysdale's goal from the beginning of Bella Wines: a serious fizz of the calibre of top grower champagne, but bursting with what it means to be Canadian. Singularly sourced from Oliver's calcium carbonate-laced Cerqueira Vineyard, this chardonnay spent forty months on the lees and is bottled with no dosage and sulfured only after first ferment. It is a true reflection of the site, and when tasted in conjunction with twin sibling Brut Nature Westside Chardonnay, the differences are striking. Lovely, crisp fruit with seamless and fluid lees integration. A shear of green apple acidity, tight citrus notes and faint stony smoke and fine salts on the lengthy finish. Riveting structure, exciting stuff. Very promising future for this project, and this wine. Only 25 cases were released, with the remainder to be held 6-8 years. Looking forward to tasting again then.Tasted: 27 April 2016Tasted by: Prices:
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