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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Kitsch 7 Barrel Chardonnaytext
90POINTS
16½/20

Kitsch 7 Barrel Chardonnay 2017

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaKitsch came out of the gate strong four vintages ago with their laser rieslings, as well as their packaging progress (SAXX underwear are a past enterprise of 4th gen Kelownans Ria and Trent Kitsch). A smart hire of sommelier Grant Biggs as the winemaker has solidified the winery as one to watch. Some 169 cases (aka seven barrels) of this estate chardonnay was made, from clone 95 planted on silty loam over sand in 2013. This was whole cluster pressed, native fermented, and spent ten months in French oak (69 percent new), the latter of which is espied in the deeper yellow hue. Baked yellow apples, bright lemon is scented with wild thyme on a medium bodied, well-hemmed palate. The oak is well enveloped by the fruit, supporting, and just peeking out around the edges at this young age. There's a lovely savoury flintiness and spice that lingers on the finish. This northern Okanagan chardy will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar. Impressive showing.Tasted: 23 December 2018Tasted by: Prices:
BC$40.00750mlwinery direct, private wine shops
Producer: Kitsch WinesDistributors: Winery Direct
Grape: ChardonnayUPC: 626990330103