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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Bella Wines Reserve Brut Nature Oliver Eastside Chardonnaytext
92POINTS
17/20

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:
BC$55.00750mlwinery direct
Producer: Bella WinesDistributors: Storied Wines & Spirits
Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 626990259220