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87POINTS
15¾/20
Bella Wines Hillside Cellars Founders Block 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHillside Cellars Founders Block is from 34 year old vines planted at the winery's Naramata Bench estate, on alluvial loam soil. Unlike Bella's other wines, this was farmed conventionally, though winemaker Jay Drysdale was keen to learn more about working with older vines, as all of his other vineyards are comparatively much younger. I don't know whether this is reflective of the farming, but this was not as fluid and balanced as the other 2016 bruts tasted. Whole cluster pressed, this will wild fermented (for primary) and no sulphur used. Sharper and sour tight strawberry, with tight, unyielding fruit and stern on the palate, with searing acidity, a beer-hoppiness and a bitter broken stone finish. There's a lactic coat on the pithy, grapefruit finish. A clear and authentic reflection of site.Tasted: 10 July 2017Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml | winery direct |
Grape: Gamay Noir
